Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes

Just last week while at breakfast with friends I mentioned the words "liberation theology." Moans and raised eyebrows were immediately forthcoming. Interesting in that none of my friends had ever read any liberation theology. I suspect this is not at all unusual in the evangelical community in the U.S.A. At least one of my friends has agreed to read this book by R. McAfee Brown and I can hardly wait until I can pass it on to him. Having lived and worked in S.E. Asia for the last thirty years, the idea that people from different cultural and economic backgrounds would read and interpret the Bible (or any book for that matter) in ways shaped by their backgrounds hardly seems radical. Yet for those who have lived their faith in a mostly monocultural context (e.g. evangelicals in America) this idea can seem positively revolutionary. While this book is not specifically about liberation theology it is a helpful exercise in clearing the ground for reading the Bible with fresh eyes and a sensitivity to the context, both local and global, in which we live and move. If you want a primer on 'Liberation Theology' you might try the author's book by that name. If you want to read several familiar narratives in scripture from a different slant this book will prove interesting. Of course, the author is not himself from the third-world so we have to take his word for it but assuming his "reading" is faithful to those who are from that part of the globe the contrast is provocative. This book is a very accessible read. Brown writes with considerable wit and his epilogue entitled : "For Those Who Feel Personally Assaulted" sums it up well. Interesting and not to be ignored.

This book was challenging, convicting and exciting. Brown writes humorously and concisely. At times he writes a bit too epigramatically or too much in pseudo-journalese. Brown closes humbly: he admits he's as guilty of greed and complacency as we are. My favorite aspect of this book is that it is not just a book *about* liberation theology. This a *devotional* based on liberation theology (in fact, this was my devotional on and off for half a year). Happily, Brown includes whole passages of scripture for study. True, the third world (better, "two-thirds world") interpretations are jarring. For example, the OT reality behind Jesus quoting (and most Bibles mistranslating!) Isaiah's "day of the Lord's favor" almost knocked me out of my seat (see Luke 4). Two other virtues of this book are 1) that Brown examines other parallel passages in each chapter (to provide a larger biblical basis), and 2) the pointed questions and scenarios Brown poses at the end of each chapter. This book is good for private or group study or just straight reading. Also, Brown offers a good list for further reading. Some of the other reviews of this book are revealing. Why do we USAmericans get so upset about our capitalism and our money? Because our hearts (and our emotions) are where our treasure is, and vice versa? Why do we have so many problems with these "radical, militant, Marxist" liberation theologians? Because they point out how the God of the Bible has problems with greed, rugged individualism and national elitism? Why do we see Brown and "his ilk" twisting Scripture and eisegeting Marxism into the Bible? Because we don't like to hear Scripture echoed from the mouths of those for and by whom it was written: the poor and oppressed? If the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (I Tim 6:10) and if you cannot serve both God and money (Matt 6:24), why do we cling so firmly to money? What would the big loss be anyway in losing our economic clout -- if we truly hope for *heavenly* riches? The more you live and share with "the least of these" (Matt 25:31ff), I've found, the less radical Brown, et al. sound. Raving neo-McCarthyites deal the Bible a grave blow by capitulating social justice and economic parity into the hands of Marxists. Marx subverted God's Word to his ends (he was raised a Jew, remember), not the other way around. I am looking for more contemporary books of this nature (it was published in 1984), but will probably "just settle for" reading Gutierrez, Romero, Arrupe, et al. -- precisely what Brown would hope for his readers to do, I think. (PS, I recommend Haugen's _Good News About Injustice_ and Are's _Israeli Peace, Palestinian Justice_. I also recommend watching _Romero_ and _The Mission_ for some liberation visuals!)

I read Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes as part of a 30-week JustFaith program. We read 13 books in total, and this was one of my favorites. Robert McAfee Brown redefines "poor," pointing out with great clarity that no matter how much those of us in developed countries complain, we are rich in terms of anyone in the Third World. Brown takes Bible stories--the Prodigal Son, for instance--and interprets them differently than we might have heard in church. More good news about this book--it has a sense of humor. Brown made me laugh out loud more than once, especially as he dealt with the issues of women in religion. This book would be a wonderful Bible study addition for anyone, or an excellent read for any individual interested in an insight into seeking justice for those who possess none.

This book by Robt M Brown in 1984 is an indictment of the USA & other Rich Countries for contributing to the Oppression of the Third-World (or Poor) Countries. And the latter makeup about 2/3 of the whole world! This book has a Biblical Perspective, citing ten special Biblical events or passages. This book also reminds me of "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins in 2004, which confirms the same indictment from a political perspective. As one of the richer Americans, I believe "to whom much is given much is required." I & We need to share our wealth in such a way to raise up the poor & oppressed of the world. It is most tragic that 2/3 of the world's persons go to bed hungry each nite!

We found this book while reading Rick Steves' book, Travel as a Political Act. Worshiping in a suburban mainline church in California prepares us to read the Bible with certain biases. This book presents a different way to interpret the Bible, what it is like to be oppressed and read the words and experience hope. While a little dated at this time, since it was published in 1984, the views he presents are thought provoking and stimulate interesting conversations in our book study.

Thank you again, Rober Mcafee Brown!