The Three Worlds of the Text

Interpreters of Scripture live within their own time frame. Various books of the Bible were written at a particular historical time. We live in a particular historical time and culture and this forms the way we explore and understand Scripture.

The World of the Text: This element focuses on the literary elements of the text and the world presented in the text e.g. Jesus’ world. We can look at the plot, characters, literary features of the stories within the Bible.

The World Behind the Text: This is the world of the author - the social, political, cultural and ideological aspects of the author.

The World in Front of the Text: Here the reader brings his or her perspective to Scripture e.g. How does this text speak to me in my life?

Click here for further reading

Click here for examples of the Brisbane Archdiocese exploring the worlds of Scriptural texts.

Click here for workshop PPT by C. McBryde.