One Among Many Members

Book excerpt: A study of individualism and the Bible provides an excellent example of how culture both shapes our understanding of Scripture and ought to be shaped by it. Every reading of Scripture is an encultured reading, and good students of the Bible must be aware of where their cultural bias might lead them astray. However, too often critics have proposed that because individualistic cultures are culturally removed from the world of the Bible, that by necessity makes readings with an individualistic emphasis suspect. This work shows that these criticisms are unfounded. A reading of Scripture influenced by individualism does indeed highlight several important aspects of theology. It features the significance of each human in the divine program because if the imago dei. This significance is clearly seen in personal responsibility for both sin and righteousness, faith and unbelief. The Bible elevates the significant of the individual, and so should we as well.