Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission

Christianity Today’s 2020 Book of the Year Award of Merit - Biblical Studies

Biblical Foundations Award Finalist

What does it mean to ＂read Romans with Eastern eyes＂?

Combining research from Asian scholars with his many years of experience living and working in East Asia, Brad Vaughn directs our attention to Paul’s letter to the Romans. He argues that some traditional East Asian cultural values are closer to those of the first-century biblical world than common Western cultural values. In addition, he adds his voice to the scholarship engaging the values of honor and shame in particular and their influence on biblical interpretation.

As readers, we bring our own cultural fluencies and values to the text. Our biases and background influence what we observe--and what we overlook. This book helps us consider ways we sometimes miss valuable insights because of widespread cultural blind spots. In Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes, Vaughn demonstrates how paying attention to East Asian culture provides a helpful lens for interpreting Paul’s most complex letter. When read this way, we see how honor and shame shape so much of Paul’s message and mission.

Brad Vaughn (formerly published under the pseudonym Jackson W.; PhD, Southeastern Baptist) is theologian in residence with Global Training Network. He previously lived and worked in East Asia for almost two decades, teaching theology and missiology for Chinese pastors. He serves on the Asian/Asian-American Theology steering committee of the Evangelical Theological Society and is the author of Saving God’s Face, One Gospel for All Nations, and Seeking God’s Face.