Reading your Bible through the lens of honor and shame
Reading your Bible through the lens of honor and shame
1. Recognize honor/shame dynamics: In the “universe” or spectrum of words and
dynamics of honor and shame, circle the words in black in your Bible as you read.
1. Recognize honor/shame dynamics: In the “universe” or spectrum of words and
dynamics of honor and shame, circle the words in black in your Bible as you read.
Apostle
Ambassador
Crown
Dominion
Righteous
Immortal
Kingdom
Sanctified
Remembered
Anointed
Priesthood
Heirs
Clean Better Chosen
Robe
Holy
Conquer
Majesty
Reign
Ring
Pure
Elect
Adopted Pleased
Might
Beauty Exalted Throne Renown
Offspring
Pleasing
Inheritance
Fame
Warrior
Greater
King
Royal
Great
Glorious
Worthy Praise
High
Glorify
Awesome Worship
White
Authority
Overcome
Approved
Rise Bright Above
Raised
Highest
Lifted up
Over
Power
Freedom
Free
Blessed Bless
Confidence
Pride
Boast
Reviled
Cursed
Mocking
Younger
Ashamed
Cut off
Defeated
Crucified
Fear
Crushed Suffered
Dark
Death
Rejected
Despised
Smitten
Afflicted
Desolate
Dishonor
Hidden
Least
Low
Below
Alien
Stranger
Darkness
Captivity
Blind
Diseased
Persecuted
Sick
Unclean
Wretched
Lesser
Fallen
Enemy
Gentile
Imprisoned
Feet
Oppressed
Reproach
Byword
Forgotten
Impure
Dominion
Righteous
Immortal
Sanctified
Remembered
Kingdom
Great
Glorious
Worthy Praise
High
Glorify
Awesome Worship
White
Authority
Rise Bright Above
Raised
Highest
Lifted up
Over
Power
Freedom
Free
Blessed Bless
Confidence
Pride
Reviled
Ashamed
Cut off
Defeated
Crucified
Fear
Crushed Suffered
Dark
Death
Rejected
Despised
Smitten
Afflicted
Desolate
Dishonor
Hidden
Respect
Inside
Elder
Younger
Slave
Outside
Least
Low
Below
Alien
Darkness
Captivity
Blind
Diseased
Persecuted
Sick
Unclean
Wretched
Feet
Lesser
Fallen
Enemy
Gentile
Imprisoned
Strong
Right arm
Friend
Stranger
Son
Right hand
Face
Under
Loved
Beloved
Head
Family
Weak
Spit upon
Blood
Honored
Humiliation
Naked
Father
Life
Honorable
shame
Cursed
Mocking
Rejected
Boastful
Cursing
Accursed
Glory
Children
Name
HONOR
Blessing
Boasting
Outside
Crown
Anointed
Priesthood
Heirs
Clean Better Chosen
Robe
Holy
Conquer
Majesty
Reign
Ring
Pure
Elect
Adopted Pleased
Might
Beauty Exalted Throne Renown
Offspring
Pleasing
Inheritance
Fame
Warrior
Greater
Boast
Inside
Elder
Slave
Strong
Right arm
Friend
Weak
Spit upon
Respect
Ambassador
King
Royal
Overcome
Approved
Son
Right hand
Face
Under
Loved
Beloved
Head
Family
Humiliation
Naked
Blood
Honored
shame
Cursing
Accursed
Rejected
Boastful
Father
Life
Honorable
HONOR
Blessing
Boasting
Glory
Children
Name
Apostle
Oppressed
Reproach
Byword
Forgotten
Impure
2. Recognize all conflicts as honor competition. From sibling rivalries to deadly
wars—remember it is fueled by “challenge and riposte” (the ubiquitous honorshame “game”) and the “image of limited good” (win-win was conceptually impossible
except as revealed by God; win-lose was the only way). Make a note as you read.
2. Recognize all conflicts as honor competition. From sibling rivalries to deadly
wars—remember it is fueled by “challenge and riposte” (the ubiquitous honorshame “game”) and the “image of limited good” (win-win was conceptually impossible
except as revealed by God; win-lose was the only way). Make a note in your Bible.
3. Identify examples of honor-status reversal. Underline or circle these verses with
a yellow colored pencil. This can range from individual verses to long stories.
3. Identify examples of honor-status reversal. Underline or circle these verses with
a yellow colored pencil. This can range from individual verses to long stories.
4. Observe words and ideas relative to salvation (in Old Testament and New) —
saved, ransom, redeem, atone, propitiation, etc. Underline or circle these words in
red. Observe the relationship, if any, between salvation and honor-status reversal.
4. Observe words and ideas relative to salvation (in Old Testament and New) —
saved, ransom, redeem, atone, propitiation, etc. Underline or circle these words in
red. Observe the relationship, if any, between salvation and honor-status reversal.
5. Share and pray. Talk with others about what youʼre learning. Pray biblically; use the
words of Scripture. Become comfortable using words like honor and glory relative to
our own relationship with Christ. Pray with others about overcoming shame and
experiencing honor in relation to Jesus Christ.
5. Share and pray. Talk with others about what youʼre learning. Pray biblically; use the
words of Scripture. Become comfortable using words like honor and glory relative to
our own relationship with Christ. Pray with others about overcoming shame and
experiencing honor in relation to Jesus Christ.
Written and designed by Werner Mischke © Copyright 2012 Mission ONE.
For information about training contact Mission ONE: 480-951-0900 /
[email protected] / mission1.org/equip / Blog: wernermischke.org
This resources is available at: wernermischke.org/resources
Written and designed by Werner Mischke © Copyright 2012 Mission ONE.
For information about training contact Mission ONE: 480-951-0900 /
[email protected] / mission1.org/equip / Blog: wernermischke.org
This resources is available at: wernermischke.org/resources
Primary honor/shame dynamics in the Bible
Primary honor/shame dynamics in the Bible
Love of honor: Aristotle: “…honor is clearly the greatest of external goods…it is honor
Love of honor: Aristotle: “…honor is clearly the greatest of external goods…it is honor
HONOR
above all else that great men claim and deserve.” Augustine: “For the glory that the
Romans burned to possess…is the favorable judgment of men who think well of other
men.” The ancients name love of honor and praise as their premier value. (Neyrey)
Ascribed
Honor
Achieved
Honor
Two sources of honor: 1) Ascribed honor: granting respect to a person based
upon family, kinship, name, title, government, politics. 2) Achieved honor: respect
based on competition, warfare, aggression, envy, athletic competition, or “social
games of push-and-shove”. (Neyrey)
Ascribed
Honor
Achieved
Honor
And the winner is…
LOSE
natural universe … everything desired in life: land, wealth, respect and status,
power and influence … exist in finite quantity and are in short supply.” If you gain,
I lose … a “zero-sum game.” (Neyrey)
Name / kinship / blood: “In the ancient world, people are not just taken on their ʻmerits.ʼ”
Honor “begins with the merits (or debits) of their lineage, the reputation of their ancestral
house. Greeks and Romans receive a basic identity from their larger family: for Romans
this takes the form of including the clan name in the name of each individual.” (deSilva)
Body parts: Feet and other dirty parts
of the body represent shame. Head, face,
right hand, right arm represent honor.
upon family, kinship, name, title, government, politics. 2) Achieved honor: respect
based on competition, warfare, aggression, envy, athletic competition, or “social
games of push-and-shove”. (Neyrey)
that claim or refusal to acknowledge the claim, 3) Riposte or defense of the claim,
4) Public verdict of success awarded to either claimant or challenger. (Neyrey)
NAME
And the winner is…
Image of limited good: “The belief that everything in the social, economic,
Image of limited good: “The belief that everything in the social, economic,
WIN
Two sources of honor: 1) Ascribed honor: granting respect to a person based
Challenge and riposte: Four steps: 1) Claim of worth or value, 2) Challenge to
Challenge and riposte: Four steps: 1) Claim of worth or value, 2) Challenge to
that claim or refusal to acknowledge the claim, 3) Riposte or defense of the claim,
4) Public verdict of success awarded to either claimant or challenger. (Neyrey)
HONOR
above all else that great men claim and deserve.” Augustine: “For the glory that the
Romans burned to possess…is the favorable judgment of men who think well of other
men.” The ancients name love of honor and praise as their premier value. (Neyrey)
WIN
LOSE
natural universe … everything desired in life: land, wealth, respect and status,
power and influence … exist in finite quantity and are in short supply.” If you gain,
I lose … a “zero-sum game.” (Neyrey)
Name / kinship / blood: “In the ancient world, people are not just taken on their ʻmerits.ʼ”
Honor “begins with the merits (or debits) of their lineage, the reputation of their ancestral
house. Greeks and Romans receive a basic identity from their larger family: for Romans
this takes the form of including the clan name in the name of each individual.” (deSilva)
NAME
Honor-status reversal: When a person, family
Honor-status reversal: When a person, family
or people have their honor status reversed. Two
types. 1) End result is honor: Honor-to-shameto-honor, or simply, shame-to-honor. 2) End
result is shame: Shame-to-honor-to-shame, or
simply, honor-to-shame.
or people have their honor status reversed. Two
types. 1) End result is honor: Honor-to-shameto-honor, or simply, shame-to-honor. 2) End
result is shame: Shame-to-honor-to-shame, or
simply, honor-to-shame.
Cross-cultural ministry skills related to honor and shame
1. READ Godʼs Word through the lens of honor and shame. Reading
READ
the Bible is a cross-cultural experience. Reading the Bible through the
lens of honor and shame is an attempt to know the Word of God the
Together
way the original hearers would have heard it or read it. Itʼs an effort to SPEAK
WALK
de-Westernize our reading of the Scriptures. Read one book at a time.
2. SPEAK using the Bibleʼs language of honor and shame, both in
conversation and in prayer. Talk with others together about what youʼre learning. Become
comfortable using words like honor and glory relative to our own relationship with Christ. Pray
Scripture. Pray together using the honor/shame words found in Godʼs Word.
3. WALK your own authentic path of shame to honor—in the light of Christ. Discovering
Body parts: Feet and other dirty parts
of the body represent shame. Head, face,
right hand, right arm represent honor.
Cross-cultural ministry skills related to honor and shame
1. READ Godʼs Word through the lens of honor and shame. Reading
READ
the Bible is a cross-cultural experience. Reading the Bible through the
Together
lens of honor and shame is an attempt to know the Word of God the
way the original hearers would have heard it or read it. Itʼs an effort to SPEAK
WALK
de-Westernize our reading of the Scriptures. Read one book at a time.
2. SPEAK using the Bibleʼs language of honor and shame, both in
conversation and in prayer. Talk with others together about what youʼre learning. Become
comfortable using words like honor and glory relative to our own relationship with Christ. Pray
Scripture. Pray together using the honor/shame words found in Godʼs Word.
3. WALK your own authentic path of shame to honor—in the light of Christ. Discovering
the honor of who we are in Jesus Christ has two parts.
the honor of who we are in Jesus Christ has two parts.
a. Be vulnerable and real about your own shame—the shame dynamics of our own lives
—whether as agents or victims of sin—and letting the work and Person of Christ deal with
that. Personal prayer times and trusting small groups are healthy places for vulnerability.
a. Be vulnerable and real about your own shame—the shame dynamics of our own lives
—whether as agents or victims of sin—and letting the work and Person of Christ deal with
that. Personal prayer times and trusting small groups are healthy places for vulnerability.
b. Explore the honor of who we are in Christ. See yourself and your church family as a
part of the story and drama of the honor-status reversal of Jesus Christ. Pray together
with others about overcoming shame and experiencing honor—in relation to Jesus Christ.
This sense of honor may be experienced both individually with the Lord, and in community
with the Lord, that is, together in the love and ministry of the Body of Christ, the church.
b. Explore the honor of who we are in Christ. See yourself and your church family as a
part of the story and drama of the honor-status reversal of Jesus Christ. Pray together
with others about overcoming shame and experiencing honor—in relation to Jesus Christ.
This sense of honor may be experienced both individually with the Lord, and in community
with the Lord, that is, together in the love and ministry of the Body of Christ, the church.
Sources: Jerome H. Neyrey: Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1998),
David A. deSilva: Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000)
Sources: Jerome H. Neyrey: Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1998),
David A. deSilva: Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000)