Twin Cultures Separated by Centuries

Andrew B. Spurgeon

Description

Andrew B. Spurgeon works directly from the Greek text of 1 Corinthians in a study of reverse-contextualisation, highlighting the commonalities between the contexts of Corinthian and Indian cultures and applying the epistle’s principles to Indian Christians today.
In this unique commentary, Spurgeon first presents Indian similarities to those in Corinth, moves on to biblical principles the Apostle Paul raises for the Corinthian church’s attention–especially where culture was in conflict with biblical standards–and finally reapplies these principles to the context of life in twenty-first century India.
This is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to study 1 Corinthians, showing that God’s Word is not only true, but is just as relevant centuries later as when it was written.

Informations

• Publié par: Langham Creative Projects
• Date de parution: 14 août 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781783681396
• Langue: English

Extrait

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is a New Testament book that many Christians relate to because it deals with pastoral issues that are familiar – though not necessarily easy to resolve. In this commentary, Dr Spurgeon has done a commendable job of exegesis that carefully considers differing views, but is also incisive and illuminating. However, a commentary must not only explain the intended meaning of the text but also make an attempt to interpret the text in terms relevant to the contemporary context. In this case, the Indian context is one that is ancient, pluralistic both culturally and religiously, and very complex. Dr Spurgeon’s exposition is not just sensitive, but delves deep to bring out the intricacies of the context, and then relate the biblical text to it. Twin Cultures Separated by Centuries is a commentary that will prove to be not just interesting to read, but also helpful in explaining how Paul’s teaching is relevant to the contemporary church.
Brian Wintle
Academic Coordinator of Centre for Advanced Theological Studies SHIATS, Allahabad, India
Anecdotes, snippets of Indian history, newspaper reports, observations on what Indians think or do or say or are – these are the planks Andrew Spurgeon tosses together to build a crisscrossing walkway between ancient Corinth and present day India. One minute the reader is in ancient Greece, taking in just the kind of detail needed to make sense of what Paul was saying then. The next minute the Indian reader is in his home country, making sense of what Paul is saying now. Twin Cultures Separated by Centuries is an eminently readable commentary that matches careful exposition with well-researched background, while celebrating the Indian-ness of its author.
Havilah Dharamraj
Academic Dean, Head of Department of Old Testament South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, Bangalore, India
An understanding into the cultural context of the Bible is imperative to correct comprehension and right application of the Scriptures. This is especially necessary because the contemporary world is vastly different from the Graeco-Roman one. Dr Andrew Spurgeon bridges biblical culture and Indian culture with his expertise and experience as a scholar who knows both the text and the challenges of teaching in a heterogenous (or, richly diverse) culture.
His work considers the different facets of Indian culture and its parallels in ancient Corinth. In a unique approach, he begins each section with an insight into the Indian setting, explains the biblical text in its historical-cultural setting, and astutely applies the biblical teaching to the Indian context. This commentary is a valuable asset for any Christian (church planter, pastor, seminary student, and Bible reader) in India who desires to “teach the message of truth accurately.” I pray that this work is only the beginning of more commentaries like these!
Binoi Abraham Samuel
Elder, Redeemer Church of Dubai, UAE
It is a rarity to find a Bible commentary that seamlessly moves from context to text and vice versa. Twin Cultures Separated by Centuries does exactly that, as Andrew Spurgeon draws upon his knowledge of Scripture as well as his experience of the Indian situation to provide us with a thorough contextual and exegetical commentary on Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Students of the Bible who desire to remain faithful to the text and also relevant to their culture and context, will find his commentary on 1 Corinthians stimulating and, in his own words, “exhilarating!” This commentary is an excellent tool for Bible teachers, pastors, seminary students and laity and must find a place in all theological libraries, especially those in South Asia.
Paul Cornelius
Regional Secretary–India, Asia Theological Association
Understanding the culture of the Bible is key to properly interpreting Scripture. Understanding the culture of today is necessary for expositors to keep the Bible relevant within their contexts. In this unique, one-of-a-kind commentary, Andrew Spurgeon explains both the biblical context and the Indian culture, and often draws parallels between Indian culture and the culture of the Corinthians, making it easier to understand. Twin Cultures Separated by Centuries is a must-read for anyone serving in India.
Dave Raj Sangiah
Pastor, Bangalore Bible Church, India

Twin Cultures Separated by Centuries
An Indian Reading of 1 Corinthians
Andrew B. Spurgeon

© 2016 by Andrew B. Spurgeon
Published 2016 by Langham Global Library
an imprint of Langham Creative Projects
Langham Partnership
PO Box 296, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9WZ, UK
www.langham.org
ISBNs:
978-1-78368-118-1 Print
978-1-78368-140-2 Mobi
978-1-78368-139-6 ePub
978-1-78368-141-9 PDF
Andrew B. Spurgeon has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-78368-118-1
Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com
Langham Partnership actively supports theological dialogue and a scholar’s right to publish but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions set forth, and works referenced within this publication or guarantee its technical and grammatical correctness. Langham Partnership does not accept any responsibility or liability to persons or property as a consequence of the reading, use or interpretation of its published content.

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To Lori, Ethan, Micah, and Jedidiah
Contents

Cover


Foreword


Acknowledgements


Introduction


A Tale of Two Corinths


The Corinthians: A Mixed Group


Sport


Religion


Corinth and India


1 Preliminary Issues


Paul and the Corinthians


Authors and Addressee


Date and Place of Composition


Opponents


Outline of 1 Corinthians


Structure


2 Opening Greetings (1:1–9)


What’s in a Name? (1:1–2)


Perspective: Sheep or Saints? (1:2–3)


The Fatherhood of God and the Son of God (1:3)


Thanksgiving for the Corinthians (1:4–9)


Part I


Paul’s Responses to Chloe’s Report (1:10 – 6:20)


3 1 Corinthians 1:10–31


The Church of South India


The Need for Proper Focus in Order to Dissolve Divisions


Demonstration of God’s Power and Wisdom (1:10–25)


Dalits or Brahmins? (1:26–31)


4 1 Corinthians 2


Paul’s Commitment (2:1–5)


Soul-Person versus Spirit-Person (2:6–16)


5 1 Corinthians 3


The Stages of a Person’s Life (3:1–4)


Gurus and God’s Workers (3:5–11; 4:1, 15)


Build to Last (3:12–17)


Temple of God (3:16–17; 6:19)


Divine or Belonging to the Divine? (3:18–23)


Group Identity


6 1 Corinthians 4


The Evaluation of Christian Service (4:2–6)


At the End of the Parade (4:7–13)


Honor–Shame and Proper Parenting (4:14–21)


7 1 Corinthians 5


Incest and Boasting (5:1–2)


Intensity of Sin (5:3–5)


The Purity of the Community (5:6–8)


Insiders and Outsiders (5:9–13)


8 1 Corinthians 6


Lawsuits and Christians (6:1–8)


Property Rights and Inheritance (6:9–11a)


Ritual Washing (6:11b)


Sanskrit, Greek, and Quotations (6:12)


Food and Sex (6:13–14)


Prostitution and Oneness (6:15–20)


Part II


Paul’s Answers to the Corinthians’ Questions (7:1 – 16:18)


9 1 Corinthians 7


Marriage and Sex (7:1–5)


Devotion to Prayer (7:6–7)


Sati and Remarriage (7:8–9)


Divorce (7:10–11)


Divorce in Case of Conversion (7:12–16)


Saṃtoṣa (7:17)


Bindi, Tilaka, and Vibhuti (7:18–24)


Connections


Arranged Marriages Versus Love Marriages (7:25–40)


10 1 Corinthians 8


Idol Worship (8:1–3)


Prasada (8:4–13)


11 1 Corinthians 9


Brahmin Acharyas (9:1–15)


The Gospel (9:16–18)


Caste and Gospel (9:13–23)


Disqualification (9:24–27)


12 1 Corinthians 10


History as Example (10:1–14)


Pongal (1 Corinthians 10:15–22)


One Body without Caste Discrimination (10:17)


Jhatka and Kutha (10:23–26)


Dana and Food (10:27–33)


13 1 Corinthian