Interpreting the Bible and Culture- Culturology The interpretation of culture and the Bible are two disciplines which work to arrive at meaning. This represents a presupposition of an objective quality, both in cultural texts and biblical texts. That is to say, there is a tangible, definitive message in cultural texts and biblical texts that can be interpreted, else the disciplines of interpretation would be exercises in vanity and uncertainty. To understand both disciplines properly, they must be explored in their relative qualities, not only in the way that they are similarly performed, but also in the way in which they overlap in the interpretive process. First, the terms should be defined. Cultural interpretation is that which seeks to uncover the worldview behind a cultural text, in the cultural text, and brought out from the cultural text (Vanhoozer et al. 45). Biblical interpretation consists of uncovering the meaning of the biblical text, both in content and context. This is normally performed by a step by step process, such as investigating the categories of culture, time, and situation (Duvall and Hays 41). Since a cultural text is sometimes abstract, consisting of an icon or word, it is important to understand where it comes from, what it is, and where it is going. This lends to a multiperspectival interpretation, meaning that right interpretation occurs by utilizing multiple disciplines to uncover the thickness of what is occurring in any given cultural text (Vanhoozer et al. 45). In concise terms, a cultural text comes from a worldview of the author(s), contains a worldview in the text itself, and seeks to cultivate a worldview in the reader(s). In like manner, biblical interpretation considers the content alongside the context of the author and the audience. Furthermore, the implications of the text are also explored, investigating the impact and significance upon contemporary readers, commonly defined as application. What can be noticed in both cultural and biblical interpretation is the presence of culture within the interpretive process. In cultural interpretation, culture is the object; in biblical interpretation, culture is the subject. Nevertheless, culture is that which must be dealt with if meaningful interpretation is to be performed. In the process of biblical interpretation, culture is an element of separation between then and today. Consequently, biblical interpretation does not understand meaning without understanding right application of the text, which can only be done when one properly understands their own contemporary culture. Thus, there is a front-end element of culture and a back-end element of culture, whereby the interpreter must do due diligence in understanding the original cultural audience and the contemporary cultural audience. In like manner, cultural texts can only be significant if the meaning of the text is understood alongside the cultural context. The cultural icon of Walmart’s yellow smiley face is largely insignificant if the reader does not understand the cultural context that it represents and the world it promises to create in its customers (i.e. low-price purchase options). Conversely, the biblical text, “When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’” (English Standard Version, John 11.43) is largely insignificant if the context of the statement is not understood, such as Jesus being the speaker, Lazarus being called to come to life, and the presence of a watching crowd. Contextual understanding is required both in the interpretation of culture and the Bible. Whether pastors or teachers, one can hardly overemphasize the importance of cultivating a hermeneutic of culture and the Bible. Living in a wealthy society, or a free-markSupport the show