Honor and Shame: Cultural Context of the Biblical World

There is so much context we miss when we read the Bible, because we do not understand the honor and shame standards of the ancient world. This video will help explain ancient concepts of honor and shame so you can better understand the Bible.

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Sources:

Bruce Malina & John Pilch - Handbook of Biblical Social Values

Mark Strauss - Four Portraits, One Jesus

John H. Walton - The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis

E. Randolph Richards & Brandon J. O’Brien - Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes

David deSilva - Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture

Bruce Malina & Jerome H. Neyrey - The social world of Luke-Acts. Models for interpretation

#History #Rome #Israel

[AE]

Another excellent video! I love these 'cultural context' videos because they hit two birds with one stone; understanding history and culture the bible was written in, but also examining how the bible's teaching GOES AGAINST the culture and is *truly* an *inspired* work.

[TehRedBlur]

This could be one of your most important videos about the cultural context of the Bible.

[SquizzMe]

I love the historical insight here. Reminds me of modern day 'cancel culture', which is basically the 21st Century version of ancient honor and shame culture.
"For in those days...everyone did what was right in their eyes."

[Jim-Mc]

This fits nicely with how I was listening to someone describe recently how ancients didn't consider emotions or inner thoughts to actually originate with the mind. The mind was just a sense organ receiving those things like the eye receives light. The point of agency where one chooses to attend to those things was the real self.

[existentialcatharsisvibe]

This honor and shaming community is still true here in India. When a person convert to Christian from Hinduism (or sikhism etc) he is immediately ostracize and disowned by his family and even from the society (mostly in rural areas). They also treat Hinduism not just a religion but their identity, their culture, their way of life. That's why its so hard to preach the gospel to orthodox hindu. They will also trace you back to the atrocities committed in the name of Christ.

As always, Awesome video IP. Eagerly waiting for your other videos specially on young earth creationism. God bless you

[dlwilson]

This is a phenomenal teaching you've put together here. Your examples and thoroughness really make this video something people should watch. Thank you for taking the time to put this together!

[ethanhocking]

Your content has really helped me to sort through the young-earth creationism of my upbringing. It's taken me a long time to understand the value in the Bible's cultural context. I'm also a huge fan of Jordan Peterson, and your hermeneutic ties in really well with his psychological analysis.

[mhanna]

Hi Michael, it's a phenomenal teaching video my brother. May the Lord bless you and make your work a reason for millions to go back into His Church.

[nathanboyer]

This problem continues to play out in cultures today—Honor and Shame vs. Self-esteem and Guilt. The hypocrisy in the US is that we still use honor and shame on each other, yet often deny it or are in ignorance of it, but we also like to say “don’t judge me”, at the same time we look down on other cultures with a clear honor and shame context.

[KTChamberlain]

Well, this video brought to mind a memorable quote from Mulan (1998):
Mushu: That's it! Dishonor! Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow, and dishonor on your house!"

[NomaDII]

Man this is so informative, you learn something new everyday.

[yakuza]

My undergraduate is History, my Master’s is in Theology. I preach this point a lot

[Patiently_Awaiting_Yah]

I've learned so much from your channel that it has made reading the Bible so much more interesting. Thank you!

[austinapologetics]

Your videos are great resources for understanding the context in which the Biblical texts where written.

[acemacer]

Great video. In a modern sense, the David story is turned on its head.

[yochananandreas]

Beautiful video as always.
Well done IP.

[doubleaz]

The past makes so much sense now. Good find!

[famemontana]

Really awesome video IP. I'm shocked I've just now seen it. Although internal consciousness was more developed through the framework of the New Testament, the honor-shame system is also highly prevalent. For example, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, Philippians 1:20, 2 Corinthians 10:8, etc. It seems that much of our internal consciousness, guided by the Holy Spirit, still directs us to the church, which is the pillar and support of the truth. Although the Holy Spirit dwells with us individually, it is only through fellowship do we become the temple of God, and it is that same Temple that has the trust and authority from God to exercise church discipline as they see fit. Also, one of the purposes of the church is to edify one another. Even if we seek to do right by God within our internal consciousness, a big part of doing right by God is defined by our fellowship with his people. Deep stuff!

[DarrenGedye]

Now that is a fascinating perspective. Thank you for sharing that.

[nickcariglia]

Great video. I love how you present your material and share these hidden truths which make The Bible and Christianity more understandable and relevant.