For this case study, you are responsible to read the short book Philemon in the New Testament, alongside a chapter from a book by Esau McCaulley, entitled Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope. As usual, the readings are located under the ‘Files’ tab in this Canvas page, and also under the current week’s module.
The guidelines for your observations and responses are as follows:
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TEXT
1. What stands out to you in your reading of Paul’s letters in the New Testament? What do you notice? What do you find compelling? What is challenging, or raises interpretive or ethical questions?
2. How would you describe the main point or the purpose of the Epistle to Philemon? What is Paul seeking to communicate, or accomplish in this letter?
HERMENEUTICAL REFLECTIONS
1. How would you describe the purpose or goal of this chapter from Esau McCaulley? If the author has a thesis or a main argument, what is it? Do you find the chapter compelling? illuminating? frustrating? Why?
2. According to McCaulley’s account, is it more accurate to say that the Bible supports the practice of slavery, or that the Bible denounces it? Or, is the reality more complex than simply choosing between these two claims?
3. In light of this discussion, to what extent do you think biblical interpretation is about determining what the Bible means, and to what extent does it involve ethical considerations about how people and communities use (and perhaps sometimes abuse) the Bible?
