Week 5 Discussion

Reader's Role in Biblical Interpretation Student’s Name Course Date According to Clines and Brenner, the reader's role in biblical interpretation encompasses different perspectives' immense influence on understanding and re-interpreting sacred texts. The lenses provided by our historical, social, and ideological contexts play a decisive role in what we see, question, and finally conclude about biblical texts. David Clines insists that a critical reading of the Bible- as if "from left to right"-invites questioning assumptions and ideologies. In challenging that traditional "right-to-left" approach, which uncritically accepts the authority and the worldview of the text in its jurisdiction, Clines shows how our modern ethical frameworks permit a reevaluation of the ancient texts, at least regarding social power and class interests. He demonstrates how the text has been framed by certain groups-especially by the elite patriarchs of Israel-to serve their self-interested ends and often at the cost of the marginalization of others, such as women and people experiencing poverty. This exposes the political motives of the text and positions the reader as an active interpreter who is meant to engage, both positively or negatively, with the claims that the text makes in light of the ethical concerns of today...