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MisReading Scripture with Western Eyes with Randy Richards

Randy Richards

E. R. (“Randy”) Richards, Provost and Professor of New Testament at Palm Beach Atlantic University, joins David Capes on “The Stone Chapel Podcast” to talk about his book, Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes (written with Brandon J. O’Brien [IVP], 2012).

The book’s subtitle Is “Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible.”

Dr. Richard’s life has been shaped by his experiences as a missionary in Indonesia. In those years he saw how he tended to read Scripture through a cultural lens vastly different from the world of the Bible. 

This is not a book about bashing the West; no, Richards celebrates all the contributions the West has made to furthering the gospel. But he does want to alert us to the subtleties of “what goes without being said” in our culture and the Scriptures’.

He gives two examples: the first, from the Joseph story (Genesis) and second, from Paul’s admonition in 1 Timothy for women to dress “modestly.” What goes without being said, in both cases, differs from various cultures.

Now, any cultural reading could be off, and Dr. Richards admits that.  Someone, he says, should write a book “Misreading Scripture with Eastern Eyes.” This is an important book and a timely book. The Bible does not come from the Middle West but from the Middle East.

To hear the podcast (20 minutes) click here.

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Reckoning with Race–Vince Bacote

Dr. Vincent Bacote, Wheaton College

Dr. Vince Bacote, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College, joins David Capes to talk about his new book, Reckoning with Race and Performing the Good News: In Search of a Better Evangelical Theology (Brill, 2020).  Dr. Bacote is interested in rehabilitating the evangelical movement when it comes to how racial minorities fit into its life.  For too long the good news, while central to evangelical theology and life, has not always been good for minorities.  The polarization now in the west is due in large part because majorities and minorities are speaking past each another rather than finding a place at the table for one another.  According to Bacote, theology and ethics belong together and are not separate spheres of life and thought.  After discussing the meaning of “racism” and “critical race theory,” Bacote offers concrete proposals for what serious Christians and a thoughtful church can do next.  To learn more about Dr. Vince Bacote and his work, go to his website http://www.vincentbacote.com.

To hear the podcast (22 minutes) click here.

The Stone Chapel is a podcast of the friends and staff of the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, Texas.  It is hosted by Dr. David Capes, Senior Research Fellow at the library and former faculty member at Houston Baptist University and Wheaton College.  The purpose of the podcast is to bring to our audience great conversations from the world’s leading experts in theology, biblical studies, archaeology, Church history, the Dead Sea Scrolls, ethics, ministry, and a host of other topics close to the mission of the library.

The Lanier Theological Library is a magnet for scholars, church leaders and influencers.  For the last ten years, it has welcomed hundreds of academics and church leaders from across the globe for public lectures, study, panel discussions, consultations, and encouragement.

These podcasts as well as the Lanier library and the Stone Chapel are generously underwritten by Mark and Becky Lanier and the Lanier Theological Library Foundation.  If you have questions or comments, please be in touch: Email david.capes@lanierlibrary.org

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Paul’s Gospel

A few years ago (March 2009) I was invited by Father Donald Nesti, director of the Center for Faith and Culture at St. Mary’s Seminary, Houston, TX, to give a lecture on Paul’s Gospel at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas.  I was one of four lecturers on the topic.  The first lecture was by Ben Witherington, the second Carol Osiek, and the final lecture was given by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo (I think it was before he was Cardinal). It was a great experience for me.  I thought I’d share the link with you.  They did a marvelous job capturing the PowerPoint with the lecture.  Comments are always welcome.