Article Reflection One: “Reading the Scripture for Good News That Crosses Barriers of

Race/Ethnicity, Class, and Culture”

Zoe McLaughlin

GLST650 Intercultural Communication

May 17, 2024

 Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1

Critical Review…………………………………………………………………………………..1

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….3

Bibliography...................................................................................................................................2
 1

Introduction

In the article “Reading Scripture for Good News That Crosses Barriers of

Race/Ethnicity, Class and Culture” by Bob Ekblad; Ekblad can capture the readers in a

remarkable educational study as to why it is vital to teach and read the Scripture in the

attended way to the awaken faith of God. “Reading Scripture for Good News that crosses

barriers of race/ethnicity, social class, and culture requires awareness and great sensitivity

to other people, the details of the biblical text, the Holy Spirit, and one’s own place in the

mix; Reading the scripture in ways that bring people’s lives and their problems into a

direct encounter with God inspires hope and awakens faith.” 1 Through teaching and the

reading of the Scripture correctly can insure those reading the Scripture are able to accept

the Good News, along with creating a safe space with zero judgment as Jesus shows us, and

finally with understanding the spiritual gifts of the Good News. These concepts allow

Ekblad to show how his thesis could be true; awakening the faith of God through barriers

can occur through the reading of the Scripture.

Critical Review

In Ekblad’s article “Reading Scripture for Good News”, Ekblad is able to make clear

points why his thesis and over all contents of his article are supported. Ekblad claims that

the Scripture is supposed to bring those together and encourage a positive social change

when reading the Scripture effectively. This however is shown to differ when the Scripture

is not read to its truth especially for those who have never experienced God in the right

1
Ekblad, Bob. "Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity, Class, and
Culture: A Journal of Bible and Theology." Interpretation 65, no. 3 (07, 2011): 229,248,228,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/
reading-scripture-good-news-that-crosses-barriers/docview/879074305/se-2.
 2

manner. Ekblad calls this to action by explaining how those who do not know God can be

impacted by the Scripture not being read effectively and how to better resolve the issues

these misconceptions can cause. Another point Ekblad shows to further prove his thesis is

that the Scripture is supposed to be comprehended in a ‘non-judgment’ zone allowing those

learning the Scripture to understanding God’s loves, his teachings, and his Scripture

through his eyes. Ekblad further proves this point by calling onto Jesus’ missionary

mission when he walked the Earth, Jesus showed those followers what it meant to continue

God’s Scripture through a ‘non-judgment’ approach as God would have intended. Finally,

Ekblad further proves his thesis with the point of if the Scripture is interp0erted and read

through the eyes of God and how he intended his Scripture to be read then there is a better

understanding of the Good News and spiritual gifts that come with faith in God’s

Scripture. Ekblad shows this Good News through a bible study groups development with

individuals incarcerated. Many of these individuals had negative images of God but when

the missionaries reexplain the purpose of God’s Scripture with God’s love those individuals

incarcerated where able to see the presences of God’s faith accurately for the first time.

When it comes to ensuring the reading of the Scripture is done so correctly it is up

to standard of God Ekblad points out “If missional engagement is to go beyond direct

service, social justice, legal advocacy, or solidarity to include proclamation, leading Bible

studies, or teaching, ministers need approaches to the Bible that are both accessible and

offer concrete relief from immediate troubles.”2 This is true resources need to be provided

on the Scripture worldwide to ease the pressure of zero knowledge of the Scripture in many
2
Ekblad, Bob. "Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity, Class, and
Culture: A Journal of Bible and Theology." Interpretation 65, no. 3 (07, 2011): 229,248,228,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/
reading-scripture-good-news-that-crosses-barriers/docview/879074305/se-2.
 3

regions. Resources to access the Scripture need to be reliable regardless of any of the

differences from the region and the Western countries. This leads to individuals getting the

proper and true teaching of the Scripture and how God sees us through his eyes. Ekblad

shows us how Jesus is the standard of teachings when it came to teaching and spreading the

Scripture in Gods standard by stating “Jesus is our Rabbi/teacher who shows us how the

Scripture refers to his special way of saving/liberating.” 3 Through the time of Jesus

teaching God’s scripture Jesus did so in a way of adding zero judgment onto those who did

not comprehend. Jesus instead showed how all those regardless of differences could

understand and receive Good News from the Scripture with the right intentions. Finally

Ekblad further provides his thesis by showing the impact the Scripture in its true message

effected those of the “God-pod”. Ekblad shows how those individuals on this pod

demonstrated how Good News can be received from the Scripture if it is read in the

effective way. “Spiritual gifts are essential if we are effectively to interpret Scripture and

communicate Good News……. The Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit are released in us.”

Conclusion

In conclusion I believe Ekblad proved what his thesis meant and further explained

how the Scripture can be effectively used in the standard of its intention by God.

Throughout his article “Reading Scripture for Good News” Ekblad was able to further

show how the Scripture was intended to be taught and the impact the Scripture is deemed

to have. Overall, I agree with this author work and find all truth in his discussion. With

3
Ekblad, Bob. "Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity, Class, and
Culture: A Journal of Bible and Theology." Interpretation 65, no. 3 (07, 2011): 229,248,228,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/
reading-scripture-good-news-that-crosses-barriers/docview/879074305/se-2.
 4

this article there is a probability of those in many regions less exposed to the true meaning

of God’s Scripture to have a better chance of fully comprehending its magnitude.

 5

Bibliography

1. Ekblad, Bob. "Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity, Class,
and Culture: A Journal of Bible and Theology." Interpretation 65, no. 3 (07, 2011):
229,248,228,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/reading-scripture-good-news-that-crosses-barriers/docview/879074305/se-2.
2. Ekblad, Bob. "Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity, Class,
and Culture: A Journal of Bible and Theology." Interpretation 65, no. 3 (07, 2011):
229,248,228,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/reading-scripture-good-news-that-crosses-barriers/docview/879074305/se-2.
3. Ekblad, Bob. "Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity, Class,
and Culture: A Journal of Bible and Theology." Interpretation 65, no. 3 (07, 2011):
229,248,228,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/reading-scripture-good-news-that-crosses-barriers/docview/879074305/se-2.
4.
5.