47 - Studying The Cultural Background Of The Bible

In this episode, we will consider why the cultural background of the Bible is paramount to understanding what the Bible teaches. Confusion or ignorance of the cultural background stands in the way of pure biblical interpretation. Unfortunately, many in our culture interpret the Bible through the lens of our culture and our cultural norms. When we do this, we are left blind to the text's true meaning. The Bible was not given to us. The Bible was given to real people who lived in a specific culture at a certain point of time in history. To understand what the Bible says, we must understand what it meant to the people who first received it. By understanding what a text said to the original recipients, we are then able to make an application to our own lives in our modern culture. When we neglect the ancient cultural background of any text, we open our preaching to false views of what the Bible says. In short, studying the original cultural background can prevent us from preaching false doctrine, and understanding the cultural background will prevent us from preaching the Bible from a modern perspective. We must interpret the Bible correctly, and one way to ensure this is to find out what the Word of God said to the original hearers.

Below is a list of some resources you can use to help you better understand the ancient cultural background of the Bible.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament - https://www.amazon.com/IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary-Testament/dp/0830824782/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2HW7ZA8BEASO7&keywords=bible+background&qid=1673457900&sprefix=bible+background%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-4

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament - https://www.amazon.com/IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary-Testament/dp/0830814191/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_1/130-1674420-1000769?pd_rd_w=vWMsM&content-id=amzn1.sym.7f0cf323-50c6-49e3-b3f9-63546bb79c92&pf_rd_p=7f0cf323-50c6-49e3-b3f9-63546bb79c92&pf_rd_r=KJG3JF62M6WS671CNHP7&pd_rd_wg=LLJp4&pd_rd_r=df81e824-41d2-4886-b4b3-bc6529d89783&pd_rd_i=0830814191&psc=1

The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Baker-Illustrated-Bible-Background-Commentary/dp/0801018374/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2HW7ZA8BEASO7&keywords=bible+background&qid=1673457986&sprefix=bible+background%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-9

NKJV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310003555/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=0310003555&pd_rd_w=QNwY5&content-id=amzn1.sym.88097cb9-5064-44ef-891b-abfacbc1c44b&pf_rd_p=88097cb9-5064-44ef-891b-abfacbc1c44b&pf_rd_r=H544AK8QXZ9DC0PFMBTR&pd_rd_wg=yOe67&pd_rd_r=e6003144-7f08-413f-89ad-d37d19b595a8&s=books&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMEZMMUxCQ0JJWEhTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDMwMDgyM1RDTzFFNERHS0I5RCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTk0NDc4Qk9NMElXVDlMRlpQJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

The New Manners & Customs of Bible Times - https://www.amazon.com/New-Manners-Customs-Bible-Times/dp/080245965X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2D5NW1DJK68KN&keywords=manners+and+customs&qid=1673458121&sprefix=manners+and+customs%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1

ESV Archaeology Study Bible - Sorry, I didn't have room for the link.

There are many other books available. For example, search Amazon for "Bible background." Happy hunting.