DMIN

7310 – Proclaiming the Kingdom

Eli Gutierrez – Discussion guide

Ch. 10 – “Having Shame” and Ch. 11 “Shaming” in E. Randolph Richards
and Richard James. Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes

Richard and James consider shame a tool that collectivist societies use to enforce their
values. For western individualists, shame is seen almost always in negative terms; however,
in collectivist societies, shame can have a positive use. In the Bible, shame plays an important
role. As readers of Scripture, we need a more biblical understanding of shame. Paul shames
his readers (1 Cor. 6:5), he encourages the church to shame a disobedient member (2 Thess
3:14, and even God chose to “shame the wise” (1 Cor 1:27). In collectivism, shame is
connected with doing the right things and is used to help people stay within the lines. It
works like an alarm bell, the community’s conscience, to shape behavior. Like an alarm that
warns someone who is about to transgress a boundary. Of course, shame could be used
positively or negatively. It could be used to condemn someone, but it is also used to restore.
It all depends on how it is used. For example, in the New Testament, Paul shames people so
that they might repent and be restored in the community (e.g. 2 Cor 2:5-11). Shame used
properly creates a path for restoration, its goal is bringing the person back to the group.
Shame misused, when it is applied too strongly or too publicly, ostracizes. It is important to
note that shame in the Bible is a collective tool, and its proper use is to bring members of the
group back to the community.

• How would you explain the difference between guilt and shame?
• How might you explain the saving significance of Jesus’ death (i.e., the atonement) in
honor-shame terms?