Reading from this Place, Vol. 1: Social Location and Biblical Interpretation in the United States

by Fernando F. Segovia (Editor)

Are some readings of the Bible more objective than others? More privileged? More true? How does one's own life situation shape one's reading of the text? What will acknowledgment of the validity of a variety of perspectives mean for historical-critical methods of interpretation?The present dizzying pluralism of "locations" not only of ethnicity, class, and gender, but also of social and religious standpoints presents a daunting challenge to older, mainstream interpretive schemes. In this landmark project, Segovia, Tolbert, and their fifteen other contributors have begun to measure the impact of social location on the theory and practice of biblical interpretation. This volume signals the critical legitimation of reading strategies that supplement or modify or even in some ways dethrone the historical-critical paradigm that has dominated academic biblical studies for 200 years. It provides immediate and enduring guidance to scholars and students sorting through the complex epistemological, social, historical, and religious questions that issue from this paradigm shift.

321 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 1995

Reviews

[Drick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read part of this book. The authors are presenting an approach to critical bible study that takes into account the social position of the reader as well as the information gained thru historical, literary and redaction critical approaches. The authors represent a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds and show how reading from their respective "places" sheds different light on the Scriptures and their relevance for today. This approach denies the assumption that there is an objective universal meaning to the biblical texts, but rather that the Bible must be read both within its own context and the context of the reader. Its an area that i will certain want to study further.

[C.H.E. Sadaphal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bottom line: A difficult to navigate cross-disciplinary exposition on the state of modern hermeneutics.

Reading From This Place, Volume I and Reading From This Place, Volume II attempt to explain contemporary hermeneutics by analyzing the different traditions and forces that shape the hermeneutical terrain.

The two volumes serve to validate modern reading strategies that depart from the “standard” for Biblical studies, the historical-critical paradigm. On page four of volume one the author explains the scope of the text: “In this first part of the project ...

http://www.chesadaphal.com/reading-fr...