Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels Review

The undeniable strengths of this book have been described well by other reviewers. I would like to describe a few weaknesses I've perceived in this otherwise very useful book:

1) In his perceptive analysis of literary structures and cultural context, sometimes Bailey seems to under-analyze the wider literary context in which each parable/account is situated. This weakness appears twice, for example, in his commentary on the parables in Luke 16. First, in his consideration of the parable of the unjust steward, Bailey focuses on verses 1 to 8, emphasizing their connection with the previous chapter, but dismissing their connection with verses 9 to 13 by saying, "The verses that follow in Luke 16:9-13 display their own inner integrity and are best understood as a new paragraph" (pg. 334). This ignores the very clear connection between verses 4 and 9 (both speak of using money to win a welcome into future homes) which show that verses 9-13 are Jesus' commentary on the parable. This leads Bailey to underestimate the parable's concern with how we are to use money. Second, in his discussion of the story of the rich man and Lazarus, also in Luke 16, Bailey does a better job of allowing the context to shape his interpretation of the story, but still skips over the (admittedly difficult) verses 16-18 with this brief comment: "The reasons for the presence of Lk 16:16-18 between the poem on mammon and the parable have thus far escaped me" (pg. 380, footnote).

2) It also seems to me that sometimes Bailey is a little over-eager to draw interpretive conclusions from cultural considerations. For example, in his discussion of the parable of the pounds (Lk 19:11-27), Bailey suggests that the nobleman's final command to bring "those enemies of mine [who had rejected his kingship]... and slay them before me" is "an opening statement, no more" (pg. 407). He finds such a judgment to be "critically damaging" (pg. 407) to Luke's portrayal of Jesus and Jesus' commands to love our enemies. Bailey provides cultural support for this interpretation by saying, "If a Westerner is told by his employer, 'You're fired! Clear out your desk! I want you off the property by 5 p.m. today!' the employee will understand that he or she is fired and start packing at once.... A traditional Middle Easterner will listen to the same speech and conclude: 'The master is clearly very upset! Hmm--I see that I have a long negotiating process ahead of me...." (pgs. 406-407). This cultural context is fascinating and potentially useful, but appears to me to be misused in a way that underestimates the Bible's portrayal of Jesus as the final Judge and as the One who warned of a very real and final judgment to fall on Jerusalem for rejecting their Messiah. (See later in this very chapter, Luke 19:41-44; also Luke 13:1-9; 21:21-24.) At other times Bailey similarly offers fascinating cultural context that seems best taken as suggestive, not definitive, for interpretation.

3) A final (and less important) criticism of this book is that Bailey can at times feel slightly too repetitive when you read through the book from cover to cover. On the upside, this allows the reader to usefully dip into any chapter at random and still benefit from Baileys commentary on a single passage.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Bailey's keen insights into the stories and teachings of Jesus. I have been comparing Bailey's conclusions with those of Joel Green in his commentary on Luke The Gospel of Luke (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) and find the comparison very useful. (Much of Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes is based on Luke.) Bailey reveals much color and emotional impact in each account, and Green adds a more cautious eye with a greater consideration for how each account fits into Luke's larger literary and theological context. Sometimes I find myself agreeing with Bailey's interpretations and sometimes with Green's--and many times they reinforce each other's insights!

Enjoy Bailey's insights. Let them enrich your understanding of Jesus and add emotional impact to his teachings--and read this book alongside another (such as a good commentary).

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels Feature

• ISBN13: 9780830825684
• Condition: New
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Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels Overview

Beginning with Jesus' birth, Ken Bailey leads you on a kaleidoscopic study of Jesus throughout the four Gospels. Bailey examines the life and ministry of Jesus with attention to the Lord's Prayer,

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