This particular approach to biblical interpretation is a very complex one. It calls into question and deconstructs the supposedly "objective" way of interpreting the Bible. It demonstrates that there is no pure "objectivity" in biblical interpretation. Any claim to "objectivity" and "universality" is a farce.
There are basically three social locations from which people interpret and apply the biblical message. They are the following.
1. Class- People of a particularly "superior" social class will interpret the Bible in such a way as to justify their domination and control of the "lower" classes. They will find and quote those Scriptures which appear to support the notion that their socio-economic condition is a "blessing" of God that has not been given to the "lower" classes because of their "laziness and indolence." On the other hand, people of the supposedly "lower" social-economic groups will see in the Scriptures (especially the prophets and the Gospel), a message that God is on the side of the oppressed, poor, and socially marginalized. They see passages in the Bible which speak about God establishing solidarity with the downtrodden and social outcasts.
2. Gender-Historically speaking, men have interpreted and quoted the Bible in such a way as to justify male control and male domination. They will quote those Scripture passages which speak about women being "silent" and "submissive" to the man. Women, on the other hand, will see in the biblical message, a communication that in Christ, God has torn down the barriers of gender. They will quote those passages in Scripture which support female roles of leadership in the home and in the Church.
3. Ethnicity/Race- People of certain ethnic and/or racial groups will interpret the Bible in such a way as to justify their holding positions of authority and power over other ethnic and racial groups. They will quote passage after passage that appears to convey the message that God favors one group over the other. On the other hand, people of those ethnic and racial groups which have been relegated to "inferior" status, see in the Bible a message that God favors them and will help them overthrow and dethrone those who exert power over them. They see in the Bible a message of "liberation" which promises them to be "delivered" from the yoke of of oppression.
What is the right interpretation of the Bible? Who has it? This writer sincerely hopes that if nothing else, the readers of these essays will see that no particular biblical interpretation is purely "objective," or "universally valid and correct." Each interpretation has truth to it. Each hermeneutical approach has its limits. Each interpretation is culturally biased and conditioned. I respectfully submit this series of essays to you in the hope that it would have provided for the readers an exposure to various hermeneutical approaches. Please feel free to comment and give your input.
In the Name of the Creator, and of the Word, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dr. Juan A. Ayala-Carmona
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