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Why does it matter if we listen to a variety of perspectives about God? Theology is theology, right? This seems right, doesn’t it? Why would a women theologian understand God any differently than a male theologian, or an African American theologian see things differently than a white theologian? We all have different lived experiences and approach the Bible from our own unique understanding. The words of the text don’t change; we do.
Actually, the words of the text do change with each translation. Translation boards are made up of biblical scholars who often have to wrestle over the best translation of a given word or phrase. Isn’t it at least conceivable that a translation board that includes women and minorities might make some slightly different translational decisions than one consisting entirely of white males? Doesn’t it seem more likely than not that such a diverse group of scholars would result in a more accurate or universal translation?
Back to us as readers of the sacred text. As a white male in the United States, I feel fairly confident that I will understand scripture somewhat differently than a black female or a native pacific islander. Our experiences are so different, how could we not? Here is where it gets interesting. Are all views equal? I doubt it. I have never been oppressed. If I want to gain a better understanding of life for the Israelites under Egyptian oppression, maybe I should read an African American scholar who experienced life before the civil rights movement. Or how about reading a Native American scholar to better understand life for the first century Jews under Roman occupation?
We all have blinders on, and we don’t know what we don’t know. God created Eve because Adam wasn’t complete alone. Isn’t it likely that we aren’t complete, either? The only way to step outside our own limitations is to read books by those who approach the scripture from a different perspective. Will we agree with them? Possibly not, but a feminist biblical scholar who at least is attempting to understand the Bible accurately, could open my eyes to a new way of looking at the word of God, and could open yours too. That makes this an exciting time in which to live, because there are Bible scholars from every continent (sorry, Antarctica) bringing fresh perspectives to our very ancient text. If we’ll only take advantage of it.
