Culture and Bible Exegesis

I have been amazed at the lack of consistency that is used in applying the apparent plain sense of the scripture to simple instructions.  In I Corinthians Paul instructed the Corinthian church that "let your women keep silence in the churches" I Cor. 14:34.  He even went so far as to give detailed instructions on how they were to cover their heads I Cor 11:5.  When I am asked about this by those that are inclined to take these instructions at face value for the universal church I usually start by asking them what they do with the  command of Christ, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14

Usually they are quick to reply that washing one another's feet is no longer culturally relevant.

I say that we should be consistent with our philosophy of interpretation of the scriptures.  If any of scripture is cross examined as to cultural relevance then all of scripture should be treated the same way.  I have been in churches where they took the injunction of Christ literally and they routinely had foot washing services.  Those particular churches would not even give a second thought that Paul's injunctions to the women in the church in Corinth had any relevance in a local church today.

I believe that in all Bible interpretation we should first of all give thought to the plain sense of the Word.  That plain sense needs to be tempered by the immediate context and then the intermediate context of the text.  It then needs to be considered by the broader teaching of the entire Word of God. If there is tension between any of those texts then I suggest that a look at the culture is relevant.

In my opinion Paul was telling the New Testament women to not dress or behave like prostitutes.

Double Fear Not Their Fear I Peter 3:14,15

1Pe 3:14	But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, G5401 neither be troubled;
	1Pe 3:15	But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: G5401 This is an amazing passage when you look at the Greek for 1 Peter 3:14-  It says "Phobeo me phobeo autos phobos".   Literally Double Fear not their Fear.  This could mean to fear not fear itself or fear not their terror or what they can do to you.  A significant element of I and II Peter is about fear.  Fear and afraid and terror occur here more densely than anywhere else in the New Testament.   The point right here is to not let fear rule your mind and actions but to "sanctify" or set apart the Lord God in your hearts..."  If we magnify the Lord over our fears we will then be able to give an answer to every man for the reason for our hope. What a promise!