Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis [Paperback]

William J. Webb (Author), Darrell L. Bock (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2001

In Slaves, Women & Homosexuals William J. Webb tackles some of the most complex and controversial issues that have challenged the Christian church--and still do. He leads you through the maze of interpretation that has historically surrounded understanding of slaves, women and homosexuals, and he evaluates various approaches to these and other biblical-ethical teachings. Throughout, Webb attempts to "work out the hermeneutics involved in distinguishing that which is merely cultural in Scripture from that which is timeless" (Craig A. Evans). By the conclusion, Webb has introduced and developed a "redemptive hermeneutic" that can be applied to many issues that cause similar dilemmas. Darrel L. Bock writes in the foreword to Webb's work, "His goal is not only to discuss how these groups are to be seen in light of Scriptures but to make a case for a specific hermeneutical approach to reading these texts. . . . This book not only advances a discussion of the topics, but it also takes a markedly new direction toward establishing common ground where possible, potentially breaking down certain walls of hostility within the evangelical community."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Teaching hermeneutics will never be quite the same after one reads this thought-provoking book. The ethical issues it explores raise even deeper questions of how to apply 'cultural background' in interpreting the Bible. Even those who differ on some details will find most of the book's arguments persuasive and helpful, and no one can afford to ignore the issues it raises." (Craig Keener, professor of New Testament, Eastern Seminary)

"Webb has tackled some of the most difficult and controversial issues that have faced the Christian church. Some of these issues, such as the role of women in the church and the question of homosexuality, are especially hot topics today. What makes Webb's book special is that it attempts to work out the hermeneutics involved in distinguishing that which is merely cultural in Scripture from that which is timeless. In my estimation, Webb's insights constitute major, positive progress. This book is must reading." (Craig A. Evans, professor and director of the graduate program in biblical studies, Trinity Western University (Langley, British Columbia))

"This book successfully walks the reader through the hermeneutical maze that accompanies the treatment of each of these areas. The goal is not only to discuss how these groups are to be seen in light of Scripture but to make a case for a specific hermeneutical approach to reading these texts. Slaves, Women & Homosexuals not only advances a discussion of the topics beyond current literature, it takes a markedly new direction toward establishing common ground where possible, potentially breaking down certain walls of hostility within the evangelical community." (Darrell L. Bock, research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary (from the foreword))

"The book is well focused, thoroughly researched, carefully argued, meticulously fair to differing views and profoundly biblical. I find it very persuasive." (Stephen R. Spencer, professor of systematic theology, Dallas Theolocial Seminary)

Product Details

• Paperback: 301 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press; 1st edition (May 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830815619
• ISBN-13: 978-0830815616
• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 5.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Sociology

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating Contribution to Women and Homosexuals in the Church February 26, 2007

By Keen Incite

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The goal of most who study the Bible is to dig out those timeless concepts that provide the truth and wisdom necessary to live a holy, joyful and obedient life in the eyes of God. Most of these concepts are easy to discern, however, there are some "borderline" concepts that have been the basis of disagreement among theologians. These disagreements usually center around whether a particular issue described in Scripture is culturally based, (meaning it applied to the culture in which it was written exclusively and therefore, no longer applicable to today's Christian,) or transcultural (meaning it applies at all times in all locations in any culture.) Christians have separated and established new denominations based on these disagreements - such as the Seventh-Day Adventist's insistence on Saturday worship and the Brethren Church's elevation of foot-washing to a sacrament. How can the typical Christian determine what aspects of Scripture are cultural and which are timeless?

William J. Webb's "Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermenuetics of Cultural Analysis" attempts to answer this very question. In this systematic and logically-tight text, Webb presents his argument for what he describes as a "redemptive hermeneutic" using 18 different criteria to determine the directional "redemptive flow" of Scripture on any given topic, thereby being able to determine what aspects are culturally-based and which are transcultural.

For each criterion, Webb uses what he describes as "neutral" issues (issues that have been settled in the Church, such as slavery,) as examples of how the criterion works. He then applies it to two issues still in contention today - women's place in the Church and the legitimacy of homosexuality.... He divides these 18 criteria into four groups - persuasive, moderately persuasive, inconclusive and persuasive extrascriptural.

I have never been a seminary student, but I was still able to understand Webb's argument based on the criteria he used. It was convincing to me (though I always get nervous when anyone attempts to use extrabiblical sources, since I believe the Bible is contextually self-sufficient.) I did, however, approach this text already agreeing with his conclusions on women and homosexuals.

This is a fascinating text for those who want to take the time and the mental energy to learn more about the arguments surrounding the two controversies addressed in this book. Whatever your stance, you are bound to have your mind expanded by tackling the criteria used in Webb's argument. Read more ›

102 of 120 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book answers qustions every Christian has asked March 5, 2002

By Fred Jappe

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I Believe that Webb has done Christians a great service in writing this book. All of us have struggled with the knowledge that some Biblical passages are culturally dependent while others are Trans cultural. Prior to the publishing of this book, we did not have a good set of tools to resolve our questions. Webb helps solves that problem in this book. by giving us 18 criterion by which to analyze a Biblical passage to determine its cultural and Trans cultural components.

The book is remarkable in the thoroughness of its approach. Every verse dealing with the question of the role of women, slaves and homosexuals has been analyzed. I have taught New Testament at the college level for many years and learned a great deal from his approach. He showed great sensitivity to the question of the homosexual, yet, does not compromise the Biblical position.

I currently have a group of people from my church using this set of criterion on the topic of the death penalty. All are impressed with Webb?s high view of scripture and the usefulness of his approach.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent thought provoking book November 10, 2006

By Joshua D. Rumsey

Format:Paperback

wow, I have a masters degree in Bible Exegesis and I had never encountered the thought patterns in this book. I do not agree with the extent to which they are taken but I was certianly forced to more throughly evaluate my own positions. Books like this, that force me to examine my positions, are more valuable than any publishers list price and I highly reccomend it to you if you want to learn to think more effectively for yourself. I wouldn't reccomend it if you are new to theological reading.

97 of 121 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Hermeneutics Means...Reading Carefully January 9, 2002

By Michael N. Thomson

Format:Paperback

Unlike the previous reviewer I find much to commend in this thoughtful book. He says the author departs from a grammatical-historical hermeneutic. That is an oxymoron... Grammatical and Historical are modes of exegesis, they give us some of the building blocks for understanding the text, but they are not a hermeneutic. The author provides a hermeneutic...which is a means of understanding and appropriating these texts. He argues, rightly I believe, that the New Testament leans in the way of renewal...this is its elan vital. Some of the material in the New Testament (and Old Testament)...is cultural. It won't do to say flippantly, if some is...what isn't cultural. In fact, the entire New Testament are cultural productions of their times...but some of the nitty gritty specifics cannot be read with a hermeneutic that remains static, as if we could transpose ourselves to the first century and live exactly as they did, because very quickly one is riddled with impossibilities and contradictions. In a flat reading, women are subjected, slavery is endorsed, and we get caught up in such questions as "head-coverings" and "foot washing" etc... With a reading that seeks to discern the direction, trajectory if you will, you can see why at times headcoverings were encouraged and women silenced and other times women encouraged to prophesy in the churches...by examining the overall direction of thought. Then, one uses a hermeneutic or mode of understanding, informed by this deeper level ... that allows us not to get caught up in the peripherals. Do we literally need to shake dust off our feet when someone rejects christian preaching? Do we literally need to great each other with a holy kiss? Do we literally castrate those who approach things legalistically (in Paul...read Galatians)......if so, the gentleman whose review appeared before mine is in big trouble.

All in all, a good read!!! Read more ›