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Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis | 
 enlarge | Author: William J. Webb
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Category: Book
List Price: $26.00
Buy New: $17.16
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Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 27289
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 301
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1
ISBN: 0830815619
Dewey Decimal Number: 220.601
EAN: 9780830815616
ASIN: 0830815619
Publication Date: May 2001
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Product Description
In Slaves, Women and 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."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 A new perspective on culture July 31, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Like many Christians, I've struggled with the place of various commands--particularly of the Pentatuch--and I've assumed most were given to govern the wilderness wandering and conquest of Canaan...which may be partially true, but Webb has opened up another possibility, that God was working in the existing culture towards an ideal; that He didn't give the ideal immediately but gradually was helping us to attain it. But not in every instance. The quiz at the beginning helps set the stage for considering the place of various commands in today's world, and forces us to come to some kind of conculsion as to what to make of it all. I found particularly convincing Webb's explanation of primogeniture, something Scripture seems to teach yet no one in today's world (to my knowledge) practices anymore. One can see how slavery was debated among Christians in England and America in days past. So how do we pick & choose among the commands? Which ones still apply today, and which ones were temporary? Jesus clearly made this progressive movement with His "you have heard" statements, and Paul hints at changes as well. I better understand the dangers of "static" interpretation. SW&H made me think and gave me a better understanding of how revelation is both progressive and redemptive. Any serious student of Scripture should benefit greatly from it.
Rightly Interpreting Scripture and Culture July 26, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I thought this was a very helpful book. William Webb advocates a redemptive hermeneutic, where you interpret the Bible on not only what it says, but where the general movement of the topic is heading. For example, the Old Testament and the New Testament assume the existence and practice of slavery. But Paul talks to the slave about securing his freedom if he can do so (1 Corinthians 7), and he goes on to say in Galatians 3:28 that in Christ, there is no slave or free. Therefore, the movement in the NT is toward the eventual liberation of slaves. Moreover, the pronouncement on the slave trader in 1 Timothy 1 also provides evidence of a move in this direction.
We see the same thing with regard to the role of women.
But unfortunately, we do not see the same movement for homosexuals. Webb goes on to report that with the exception of Sabbath observance, all sins that lead to the death penalty in the Old Testament are still sins in the New Testament.
Webb also mentions "breakout passages" as a sign of movement toward a higher moral oer ethical standard. For example, even though women appear to have had limited roles in the cultures of the Bible, the Binle itself mentions passages where fearless women leaders are highlighted (Huldah, Deborah, Priscilla, Phoebe, Mary, Junias, and others). These breakout passages lend credence to the idea that the role restrictions for women in both scripture and society reflect time bound values rather than timeless values. That is, they reflect the culture rather than the Christ.
The book begins with a checklist of biblical commands where the student can decide which commands are timebound and which are timeless. The book ends with what scholars of the past have said about some of these things. What is in between will enlighten casual students and challenge those who tenaciously hold to either patriarchal or egalitarian views. Highly recommended.
A Must Read Book for Every Christian June 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The most logical, systematic, and thorough analysis of some very difficult to understand issues and passages in the Bible. I was so impressed with the book that I purchased 6 extra copies to give to friends. It challenges you to think through issues and not take any position for granted. Since he is never confrontational like many authors of controversial issues, it makes him even more convincing.
Big Picture April 24, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I haven't finished this book, but I already really respect what the author has said about the title subjects. That is not the biggest reason I recomend this book though. The mentioned subjects are more of a means to explain a broader more useful topic: a redemptive hermeneutic. He gives the reader a framework to understand, dig into, and really get at the heart of many situations besides those mentioned in the book.
The Best Approach I've Seen to This Issue March 15, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Webb takes a unique approach to this the issue of women in church leadership. Looking at the Scripture as a whole, he takes the approach of a "redemptive hermeneutic," looking at the development of an issue (ie, slavery) throughout biblical teaching. Everyone accepts some form of progressive revelation, for instance recognizing the New Testament as interpreting the Old. The value of this that I appreciated, was that Webb does not deny the meaning of Pauline texts that limit women's roles. He places them in a larger biblical context and shows the seeds in Scripture to move beyond limited roles in light of other texts. While striving to remain faithful to the Scriptures absolute authority, he shows how implications of the radical way the Old Testament and New treated women and draws out the direction for our further opening roles for them today. If you are tired of approaches that take the passages on women out of context to support greater egalitarianism, you may find Webbs analysis more convincing and true to Scripture. I know I did.
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