Mike:
One thing I think is really important when we read the Bible is thinking about the time and place it was written. People lived very differently back then. Understanding their culture helps us understand what the Bible is really saying.
Sharon:
I hear what you’re saying, Mike, but I believe the Bible is for all time. God’s truth doesn’t change. What was true back then is still true now. If we change it too much to match today’s culture, we’re not following God—we’re just following the world.
Mike:
I don’t want to change the Bible. I want to understand it better. Like when Paul wrote about women covering their heads in church. That was a big deal in his culture, but today, hardly anyone does that. Was Paul talking about God’s law forever, or just that moment in time?
Sharon:
That was a rule for order in the church. Just because we don’t do it today doesn’t mean we should ignore it. Maybe we should still think about it more. Maybe people stopped doing it too easily.
Mike:
Maybe. But if we take that rule and say it applies today, do we also follow the ones about not wearing clothes with two kinds of fabric? That was in the Old Testament too.
Sharon:
Well, some of those laws were for the Jewish people before Jesus. We don’t have to follow the ceremonial laws anymore. But the moral laws—those still matter. God still wants us to live holy lives.
Mike:
I agree with that. Jesus fulfilled the old covenant, but He didn’t throw away truth. Still, it helps to know why certain rules were written. That way, we don’t get confused about what still applies and what was part of a specific culture.
Sharon:
I just worry that people will say, “Oh, that’s just old culture,” and throw out parts they don’t like. Like verses about marriage or how the family should work. That’s dangerous.
Mike:
I see your point. It’s not about throwing things out. It’s about asking, “Was this a command for all time, or a guide for that culture?” Like how slaves are mentioned in the New Testament. We know slavery is wrong, but Paul still gave advice to slaves and masters.
Sharon:
That’s true. But Paul wasn’t supporting slavery. He was helping people live for Christ even in hard situations. The heart of the Bible is always love and freedom.
Mike:
Exactly. And if we understand the culture of the Bible times, we can see how radical Jesus really was. He spoke to women, lifted up the poor, healed outsiders. That was not normal back then.
Sharon:
Yes, and that shows God’s love is for everyone. But I still think we need to read the Bible with simple faith. If we try too hard to explain everything by culture, we might miss what God is plainly saying.
Mike:
I think both matter—faith and understanding. God chose to speak through people in real places and times. So it makes sense to learn what life was like for them.
Sharon:
Maybe. But even if I don’t know all the history, I can still hear God speaking to me through His Word. The Holy Spirit helps me understand what I need to know.
Mike:
That’s true. The Spirit leads us. But sometimes the Spirit also opens our eyes to things we missed before—especially when we learn more about the background of a story or a verse.
Sharon:
Can you give me an example?
Mike:
Sure. Like the story of the Good Samaritan. Knowing that Jews and Samaritans hated each other back then makes the story even more powerful. It’s not just about helping someone—it’s about loving people you’ve been taught to avoid.
Sharon:
That’s a good point. The story does hit harder when you know that. Still, Jesus told the story clearly. Even without the history, we know He wants us to be kind to everyone.
Mike:
Exactly. Culture doesn’t take away the meaning—it adds depth to it. Like when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. That wasn’t just being nice. That was the job of the lowest servant in the house. Knowing that makes His humility even more amazing.
Sharon:
I never thought about that. I mean, I knew it was a big deal, but I didn’t know it was that big of a deal.
Mike:
Yeah. And it reminds me that Jesus stepped into our world—into their world. He used their language, their customs, their everyday life. If we learn more about that, maybe we’ll see even more beauty in the Bible.
Sharon:
That makes sense. But I still think we can go too far with culture stuff. Like when people say Paul’s words about men and women only made sense back then, and now they’re old-fashioned. That feels like picking and choosing.
Mike:
That’s a good warning. We should never twist Scripture to fit what we want it to say. But we also shouldn’t ignore when something clearly speaks from a certain time. We need to pray, study, and ask wise people for help when it’s unclear.
Sharon:
So how do we know when it’s cultural and when it’s forever truth?
Mike:
That’s the big question. I think we ask: “Is this truth repeated throughout the Bible?” “Does it connect to the heart of Jesus’ teaching?” “Is it rooted in who God is?” If the answer is yes, then it’s probably truth for all time.
Sharon:
So love your neighbor? That’s forever.
Mike:
Right. Don’t lie, don’t steal, forgive others—those are eternal values. But something like “greet one another with a holy kiss”? That might’ve been just how people said hello back then.
Sharon:
Yeah, we shake hands now. Or wave. I guess that makes sense.
Mike:
Right. The message stays the same—greet each other with love. But the way we do it may look different depending on our culture.
Sharon:
So you’re saying culture changes, but God doesn’t?
Mike:
Exactly. And God’s truth stays strong, even as we learn more about the world the Bible was first spoken into.
Sharon:
I can live with that. As long as we don’t throw away the parts that make us uncomfortable.
Mike:
Agreed. If Scripture challenges us, that’s probably a sign we need to listen. And if culture helps us understand that challenge better, then it’s a gift.
Sharon:
I still believe simple faith is powerful. But maybe it’s okay to grow in knowledge too.
Mike:
Yes. Faith like a child—but also a mind that seeks. I think both are part of following Jesus.
Sharon:
And when we read the Bible, we should ask both questions: “What is God saying to me today?” and “What was He saying back then?”
Mike:
That’s it. We meet God in His Word, both in the past and in the present. And He still speaks.
Sharon:
Okay, Mike. You got me thinking. I might look up a few history notes next time I read.
Mike:
And I’ll keep listening with simple faith like you do. Maybe together, we’ll see the Bible even more clearly.
Sharon:
Sounds like a good plan to me.