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Slaves, Women Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis by William J. Webb
sruff's review
informative
slow-paced
0.75
I wanted to give this book a higher rating because of its popularization of trajectory hermeneutics, and I found it interesting right away how Webb doesn't view homosexuality as static either, but there were so many fundamental flaws.
In terms of outline, it would've made much more sense to create and order the criteria themselves based on how they logically related to each other, rather than based on how persuasive they are (according to Webb) on one single issue. This would also avoid, for example, creating a criterion (#12) whose existence ignores the rule established by another criterion (#11).
In terms of women, his willingness to hedge his position made it less persuasive. For example, he talks about trying to at least achieve a "more just and equitable" patriarchy (250), but that is oxymoronic; patriarchy is never just.
In terms of homosexuality, he was obviously wrong through and through, but what really got me was one quote in particular: "whether one is a slavery advocate or an abolitionist... the eschatological outcome is the same... Compared to the homosexual issue, the spectrum of alternatives in the slavery/women issues does not call into question one's salvation or eternal destiny" (184). I always try to be charitable those I disagree with, but homosexuality as worse than slavery?
In terms of outline, it would've made much more sense to create and order the criteria themselves based on how they logically related to each other, rather than based on how persuasive they are (according to Webb) on one single issue. This would also avoid, for example, creating a criterion (#12) whose existence ignores the rule established by another criterion (#11).
In terms of women, his willingness to hedge his position made it less persuasive. For example, he talks about trying to at least achieve a "more just and equitable" patriarchy (250), but that is oxymoronic; patriarchy is never just.
In terms of homosexuality, he was obviously wrong through and through, but what really got me was one quote in particular: "whether one is a slavery advocate or an abolitionist... the eschatological outcome is the same... Compared to the homosexual issue, the spectrum of alternatives in the slavery/women issues does not call into question one's salvation or eternal destiny" (184). I always try to be charitable those I disagree with, but homosexuality as worse than slavery?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
adamrshields's review
4.0
Short Review: I think this is a helpful (although a bit dull) book on how to parse out cultural and transcultural aspects of scripture and how to think think about our own culture and how we put scripture into practice within that culture. We cannot read scripture without our culture. We are not transcultural beings. But there are things we can do to try to identify cultural blind spots and all scripture to speak to us in our cultural setting.
Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals presents 18 criteria for cultural evaluation of scripture according to his Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic. Although it is long and complicated, I am basically in agreement with the concept. I am not sure I agree with the results of his analysis of the three subjects (Slaves is a neutral subject that he assumes most Christians now agree is sinful, Women in the church is one that he thinks is a positive answer and acceptance of gay marriage in the church is one that he thinks is transcultural command and is his negative example.)
There is no way, even in my long review to work through all 18 criteria. But I do think they are helpful and worth working through.
My nearly 1200 word review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/webb/
Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals presents 18 criteria for cultural evaluation of scripture according to his Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic. Although it is long and complicated, I am basically in agreement with the concept. I am not sure I agree with the results of his analysis of the three subjects (Slaves is a neutral subject that he assumes most Christians now agree is sinful, Women in the church is one that he thinks is a positive answer and acceptance of gay marriage in the church is one that he thinks is transcultural command and is his negative example.)
There is no way, even in my long review to work through all 18 criteria. But I do think they are helpful and worth working through.
My nearly 1200 word review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/webb/
lilyevangeline's review
Problematic and dated title aside, this was an interesting read for me. Hermeneutics (and biblical interpretation in general) is not a regular area of study for me, nor one that comes particularly naturally to me, but I've been beginning to feel my deficiencies in this area when having discussions with family and friends in an overwhelming evangelical conservative environment.
So while I would never have read this book on my own, when offered the chance to do so in company of a book club, I could hardly pass it up. Trying to maintain relationships with more conservative friends and family (while also rejecting particular interpretations of scripture that I grew up with) demands that I have at least some baseline proficiency in explaining my convictions.
I appreciate that this book seems to have that conservative demographic primarily in mind as it painstakingly develops criteria for cultural analysis while arguing for a "redemptive spirit" interpretation of scripture. I don't feel that his dealings with homosexuality to be particularly thorough or overall convincing, and would need further personal research on that issue, but I really appreciate his thoughts and interpretations on women in the church. Coming from a patriarchal conservative background, with all the (more literal) methods of interpretation that comes with that, it was something of a relief to read a convincing egalitarian interpretation of 1 Tim 2. Personally, I feel that the complementarian perspective was absolutely detrimental to my faith and a barrier to real knowledge of God. in light of that, it's important to me that I have an interpretation that I feel would at least warrant respect (if not conversion) for my theology from complementarian evangelicals, instead of the vague, "Ah, so you're a liberal christian who doesn't care for the Bible" vibes I get now.
Church division aside, I also think this book has a nice message for "living in theological greyness" that everyone could learn from. An interpretation is, after all, at the end of the day only that--an interpretation.
So while I would never have read this book on my own, when offered the chance to do so in company of a book club, I could hardly pass it up. Trying to maintain relationships with more conservative friends and family (while also rejecting particular interpretations of scripture that I grew up with) demands that I have at least some baseline proficiency in explaining my convictions.
I appreciate that this book seems to have that conservative demographic primarily in mind as it painstakingly develops criteria for cultural analysis while arguing for a "redemptive spirit" interpretation of scripture. I don't feel that his dealings with homosexuality to be particularly thorough or overall convincing, and would need further personal research on that issue, but I really appreciate his thoughts and interpretations on women in the church. Coming from a patriarchal conservative background, with all the (more literal) methods of interpretation that comes with that, it was something of a relief to read a convincing egalitarian interpretation of 1 Tim 2. Personally, I feel that the complementarian perspective was absolutely detrimental to my faith and a barrier to real knowledge of God. in light of that, it's important to me that I have an interpretation that I feel would at least warrant respect (if not conversion) for my theology from complementarian evangelicals, instead of the vague, "Ah, so you're a liberal christian who doesn't care for the Bible" vibes I get now.
Church division aside, I also think this book has a nice message for "living in theological greyness" that everyone could learn from. An interpretation is, after all, at the end of the day only that--an interpretation.
davehershey's review
4.0
William Webb proposes a redemptive-movement hermeneutic as the best way to interpret scripture, using it to investigate issues controversial in the contemporary church regarding women and homosexuals. He lays out 18 criteria, ranging from persuasive to inconclusive, on how to analyze scripture.
His argument is that all scripture comes to particular culture; the question is what principles transcend cultures. In regards women, he shows that though some of the passages of scripture seem archaic to us, in their context these passages lifted women up from where they were to a higher plane. He then argues that to be faithful to scripture is not to stop here, but to follow the pointers in scripture to their logical conclusion which is complementary egalitarianism: men and women are different (they complement one another), but are equal in their service to society and the church. Or, to get right to the point, women can serve in the church in any way men can.
In regards to homosexual we find that while the ancient cultures were very accepting of homosexual practice scripture moves counter-culturally to condemn these practices. There are no pointers to an ultimate acceptance of homosexuality, as there were with women's issues. His conclusion is that the church is correct in not condoning homosexual practice.
Some will say that Webb is on a slippery slope by arguing that the texts on women are cultural. But he persuasively shows that all interpreters of the Bible admit some things are cultural. For example, no Christians use scripture's acceptance of slavery to argue for slavery, no Christians give their firstborn double inheritance, and we do not greet with a holy kiss. The question to tackle is which parts of scripture are cultural and which transcend. Perhaps it is a slippery slope, but it is a slope that all who interpret scripture are forced to live on.
Overall I found this book liberating and challenging. Coming from a church that does not allow women to be pastors, this is something I have wrestled with. Webb's arguments give the reader a lot to chew on and cannot be ignored. I recommend this book to anyone who desires to understand the Bible's teachings on women and homosexuals.
*2022 Update - I’ve noticed this review has gotten a few likes recently. To be fair to anyone who stumbles across it, I should note that I read this 14 years ago. It was tremendously helpful at the time and I agreed with the conclusions, including Webb’s opposition to same-sex relationships. Since then I have continued to listen and learn, and have since moved to fully affirming same-sex relationships. If interested, the books I have read on this subject are all on this shelf:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/502680-david?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=lgbtq
His argument is that all scripture comes to particular culture; the question is what principles transcend cultures. In regards women, he shows that though some of the passages of scripture seem archaic to us, in their context these passages lifted women up from where they were to a higher plane. He then argues that to be faithful to scripture is not to stop here, but to follow the pointers in scripture to their logical conclusion which is complementary egalitarianism: men and women are different (they complement one another), but are equal in their service to society and the church. Or, to get right to the point, women can serve in the church in any way men can.
In regards to homosexual we find that while the ancient cultures were very accepting of homosexual practice scripture moves counter-culturally to condemn these practices. There are no pointers to an ultimate acceptance of homosexuality, as there were with women's issues. His conclusion is that the church is correct in not condoning homosexual practice.
Some will say that Webb is on a slippery slope by arguing that the texts on women are cultural. But he persuasively shows that all interpreters of the Bible admit some things are cultural. For example, no Christians use scripture's acceptance of slavery to argue for slavery, no Christians give their firstborn double inheritance, and we do not greet with a holy kiss. The question to tackle is which parts of scripture are cultural and which transcend. Perhaps it is a slippery slope, but it is a slope that all who interpret scripture are forced to live on.
Overall I found this book liberating and challenging. Coming from a church that does not allow women to be pastors, this is something I have wrestled with. Webb's arguments give the reader a lot to chew on and cannot be ignored. I recommend this book to anyone who desires to understand the Bible's teachings on women and homosexuals.
*2022 Update - I’ve noticed this review has gotten a few likes recently. To be fair to anyone who stumbles across it, I should note that I read this 14 years ago. It was tremendously helpful at the time and I agreed with the conclusions, including Webb’s opposition to same-sex relationships. Since then I have continued to listen and learn, and have since moved to fully affirming same-sex relationships. If interested, the books I have read on this subject are all on this shelf:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/502680-david?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=lgbtq
condorhanson's review
4.0
A well nuanced hermeneutic beginning to bridge the seemingly unbridgeable gulf between the culture surrounding scripture (OT and NT) and 21st century culture while allowing it to speak to the church today. Neither the stodgy, isolated-words-on-the-page, "static hermeneutic" of more conservative types, nor the dismissive "it's-just-culturally-relative-so-we-don't-have-to-listen-to-it" liberal hermeneutic do justice to the biblical text; both are naive and reductionistic. Webb points a way out of such a deadlock, though a further discussion of who Christian ethics are for (the church of course!) and why, as well as a theological reading of scripture within the Christian community are necessary (Outside of Webb's concerns in this book). I found myself bristling at the simplistic "culture-bound" vs "transcultural" distinction, though proposing an alternative is something I'm still thinking through. Overall the book is clearly written, scholarly, and faithful; a good immersion into cultural factors affecting the interpretive process of scripture.
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