The historical-cultural background in Bible is about applying the original meaning of biblical texts to the world today.

The historical-cultural background in Bible is about applying the original meaning of biblical texts to the world today. Using the postulates of hermeneutics, exegesis and homiletics, the interpreter of the Bible identifies the meaning intended by the authors of the Bible and that applied to lives and current reality. In addition, as Bible interpreters and transmitters, the task is to ensure that the Word speaks as clearly today as it spoke in ancient times.[1] With historical-cultural background emerges the concept of contextualization in the Bible. Understanding contextualizing is an arduous task.[2] It requires a lot of study, reflection, prayer, and caution. But it is a necessary task so that the eternal values ​​of the Gospel are transmitted to this generation.
The process of biblical contextualization necessarily requires identifying the cultural corollary of Scripture. When an individual understands the meaning intended by the biblical authors, it is important to note the cultural and temporary elements of the text. In this regard, it becomes crucial to understand what the supra-cultural and eternal principles are valid for all times and cultures.[3] In addition to this, many theological statements in the Bible are clothed in cultural garb. Some commands in Scripture were restricted to a specific period in salvation history. Therefore, one cannot apply the biblical texts to contemporaneity. For example:
“Washing each other’s feet” (John 13:14);
“Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Rom 16:16);
“To be circumcised” (Gen. 17);
“Preach in pairs” (Mk 6.7);
“Women should pray with a veil over their heads” (1 Cor. 11:5); and
“Take the Supper in a single cup” (Mark 14:23).
These orders are not to be obeyed literally, as they arose from a cultural corollary. This applies to the Old Testament as well, for example, Leviticus. In addition, this book is permeated with rituals and ceremonialisms that were abolished with the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Even so, Leviticus presents an eternal and immutable principle:
“The people of God cannot be involved with immoral impurities or with the pagan religiosity of their surroundings, rather, they must be a holy people and consecrated to God” (Lk 11:45; 19:2; 20:7, 8, 26; cf. 1Pe 1.16).
In addition to this, the main theological statement in Leviticus “be holy” is reiterated several times in the New Testament in various ways. Therefore, even removing the cultural elements from the biblical texts, the eternal principles affirmed by them remain the same.
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Bibliography
[1] Bruce, Frederick Fyvie. The Origin of the Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2020.
[2] Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God’s Word: A hands-on approach to reading, interpreting, and applying the Bible. Zondervan Academic, 2020.
[3] Richards, E. Randolph, and Brandon J. O’Brien. Misreading Scripture with Western eyes: Removing cultural blinders to better understand the Bible. InterVarsity Press, 2012.
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