Social and Cultural Texture Analysis
The social and cultural texture of a text considers the nature of the text as a constituent of a much larger society and culture. Social and cultural texture emerges from taking into consideration how the text perceives the world, how it reveals cultural attitudes and norms and how it uncovers the dominant cultural system (Duvall, 2012). A good sample text is selected from Paul’s first letter to Timothy and there are various textural insights.
The words of Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 contain a “reformist” discourse. This type of
discourse believes in a corrupt world because of the corruption of social structures (Robbins,
1996). If these structures can be redeemed, then the entire world can be redeemed. Paul writes Timothy as another working to redeem the world. Timothy’s church is working to redeem Ephesus and Paul is writing to instruct Timothy on what values are needed to lead this reformation.
Among the common social and cultural topics, the issue of honour is overtly apparent.
Honor is a social acknowledgement of worth. It represents a person’s social rating and affects
how that person interacts with superiors, peers and subordinates? Honour can be ascribed (through birth or connections) or acquired (through active work and achieving certain precepts). Paul is writing Timothy concerning how those in the church can be promoted to bishop or elders. Paul writes, “whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task,” (1 Timothy 3:1 NRSV) and proceeds to establish the traits and values those leaders must possess in order to be honoured.
After considering the social and cultural texture of the selected text, one begins to get a picture of the character traits and values that Paul demanded early church leaders demonstrate. The picture Paul paints stands in contrast to the dominant ideas of the day. Similarly, the leader Paul describes would likely not be recognized today. Yet it is this description that both the past and the present desperately need.
References
Duvall, J. S., & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word: A hands-on approach to reading, interpreting, and applying the Bible. Zondervan Academic.