Right Division of the Word 5
By Raphael Adegoke
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Blessed be the name of the Lord for His love and grace that we daily enjoy. It is another moment of togetherness at the table of the Lord. May our hunger be satisfied and thirst be quenched. Amen!
Last Tuesday, on this series, we considered Church practices as one of the things that often influence our interpretation of the Bible, but today we shall be considering culture.
Culture is mostly regarded as a way of life. Meanwhile, one of the peculiarities of culture is its dynamism. It is never static, but always changing. That is why it is not always the best to assess a people based on their cultural practices at the point of consideration or writing, but at the point of origination.
It is unarguable that our culture, oftentimes, influences our worldview and at the same time our understanding and interpretation of the Bible. While inculturation has been described as the best approach in taking the Gospel to a people, interpreting and applying the scripture, yet if care is not taken and not properly handled, it often leads to syncretism.
If there is anything we need to understand, then it is the intention of a communicator and the culture of the ones with who he is communicating. For instance, the first month of the year in Nigeria is January while in Israel it is Nisan which occurs 6 or 7months after the start of the Calendar year. While it is cultural for Urhobo man to tie wrapper, it is a taboo for a Yoruba man to do. Still within the context of culture!
Furthermore, it will be gross misconception applying a text written to a people during raining season to a people in harmattan, or applying a scripture to a people in winter to a people in summer. So, it will never be out of place to consider the factors that influence culture and practices alongside whenever culture is examined. This will help us to possess a good sense of biblical interpretation and application.
Conclusively, to avoid error of interpretation that is associated with culture, we must seek to understand the intent of a writer, the culture of the writer, the culture of the recipient(s), the factors that influence the culture of the recipients; not forgetting the prejudices of the author. Also, not forgetting, though the scripture is given by the inspiration of God, but not every word spoken in the scripture by individuals was inspired by God.. Without this in place, we will lead a people into error; unnecessarily subject them to things that may never be applicable to them, or things applicable to them, but not in the context of the original recipient(s), and so we shall never be able to carry out holistic appropriation which should be our goal when interpreting the scripture.
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
