Reading the Bible From the Margins

by Miguel A. de la Torre

This introduction focuses on how issues involving race, class, and gender influence our understanding of the Bible. Describing how "standard" readings of the Bible are not always acceptable to people or groups on the "margins," this book afters valuable new insights into biblical texts today.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Christian, Spirituality

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

De La Torre received a Masters in Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctorate from Temple University in social ethics. The focus of his academic pursuit has been ethics within contemporary U.S. thought, specifically how religion affects race, class, and gender oppression. He specializes in applying a social scientific approach to Latino/a religiosity within this country, Liberation theologies in Latin America, and postmodern/postcolonial social theory.

De La Torre currently servers as the Professor of Social Ethics and Latino/a Studies at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.

Reviews

[Luke Hillier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more of a 3.5 than a 4, but I so appreciated its intent and message that it's easier to forgive the areas in which it came up short. In many ways, this is a really ideal introduction to a more justice (or praxis-) oriented approach to Christianity and especially the Bible. It methodically lays out what is problematic about a privileged understanding of Christianity from the center (largely that it abstracts the transformative and radical callings of the faith into metaphorical loopholes that allow for the continued perpetuation of the status quo) and then goes onto explain why refocusing to engage with the Bible through marginal perspectives is both corrective and in alignment with Jesus's original audience. I work for the ministry Mission Year and we added it to our curriculum this year; that is a context in which I'm really grateful for this book.

With that said, it definitely only skims the shallow waters of essentially each vantage point it engages with, and this is particularly true for those marginalized by their sexual orientation. The section on "The Gay Christ" in particular felt the most like an added afterthought, and I think the argument he made was really lacking and would have greatly benefited from an engagement with Queer Theory (although, I just realized that Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology, the text I immediately thought of, wasn't published until 2011, 9 years after this book). My concern is that, because De La Torre prioritized the inclusion of a diverse and wide-ranging collection of demographics and representative voices, those who are more skeptical could finish the book unmoved and unconvinced by their featured contributions because of the brevity of their engagement. However, I do think that he successfully drove his overarching point home, which was the importance of engaging with those voices (and the people they're connected to) –– which hopefully involves further reading than his brief overviews.

Despite agreeing quite ardently with De La Torre's message and points, I did feel tension with the pronounced lack of nuance around "those at the margins" and their practiced religiosity. That is to say, in many ways it seemed as though people were regarded as monoliths, and as someone who has/currently lives "on the margins" in an economically disadvantaged Hispanic neighborhood of North Philly, I can assure you that there is abundant diversity within the theological orientations of people here. In fact, many of them trend towards the more conservative, abstract theologies that De La Torre associates with whiteness, wealth, power, and privilege. While this undeniably invites a conversation around colonization and isn't at all a conclusive counter-argument to his point, it felt increasingly frustrated to see people living at the margins presented as if they all, by default, approach their faith in the ways he was describing. What I would really love from a book like this is a more robust engagement with the widespread and often-quoted notion that "Liberation Theology opted for the Poor, and the Poor, in turn, opted for Pentecostalism."

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I remember yearning to read the Bible with an understanding different from my white middle class US eyes. This book has cracked open that yearning just a wee bit. De La Torre, a Cuban immigrant living in Florida, gives us some idea of what certain passages mean to those who live in the margins and it's very different than the interpretation that I give them. I was especially moved by his chapter on a Latino Jesus, a Black Jesus, as female Jesus and a gay Jesus, since, in the author's opinion, Jesus identifies with these people as well as with me. He pointed out that we benefit from the status quo and there isn't always anything we can do about it, but when we can speak out about systemic injustice, we should be the voice for those who have none. I recommend this book if you want to broaden how the Bible can be understood and bring you to a new level of understanding of those groups of people who you aren't.

[LauraBee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m in the third year of EfM. EfM is Education for Ministry, a 4-year deep dive into the Bible, Christian History and Theology from a decidedly Episcopalian perspective. The curriculum and program are part of Episcopal Seminary at Sewanee (the University of the South). Like all of academia, especially seminary education in the mainline Protestant traditions, they tilt extremely left. This book was assigned as a joint reading after the holiday break, and once again, it was a book worthy of being thrown against the wall. It starts out okay and I had hopes but then the author just devolved into “white man VERY BAD” and all folks on the margins are approaching sainthood. Chapter after chapter it goes on, taking up the cudgel for all the victim groups.

Frankly, it’s just plain tiresome.

Here’s how I try to live my life as a Christian - I take seriously the admonishment that I am to love God and to love my neighbor.

I do charity. I look at my fellow humans as children of God as they understand God.

I do not believe that due to my skin color I am inherently bad or evil, nor do I believe that others are inherently good due to their skin tone. Or due to their gender, or sexual orientation, etc.

I definitely agree with the basic tenets of my Episcopal faith which is pretty open and loving toward all, and all of us in my EfM group are too. We are hardly the group that I think the book was written for.

Books like this don’t advance anything but our annoyance, and as our mentor said, books like this just cause lots of time spent in picking it apart and obfuscate any message inside that might be valuable.

Sadly our next Interlude book is about the same.

Sigh. Sewanee does pick some good books, too, but the last few years they’ve picked some doozies.

[arden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that challenges the way white affluent men and the idea of Western theology has altered the perception, understand, and context of the Bible to be used to benefit white straight wealthy men. There's a lot of great points, concrete examples and counterarguments, and provides a solid foundation for this idea that everyone should be trying to understand. It's a short read making it accessible but I thought it was too short. De La Torre explores many different groups who have been marginalized and oppressed by the Bible yet there's not enough room to deeply explore these experiences. As a woman of color, I thought there should be more than a page that represents my lived experience. This book is excellent and drives its point home but perhaps not with the deep understanding of individual experience that this book should have had.

[Jeremy Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an interesting book. This book was the common reading for the Messiah College Philadelphia Campus in the fall 2012 semester, and as a part of our learning, the author actually came to our house and gave a lecture, as well as did a Q&A session. It was very fascinating to see people from various theological backgrounds interact with both the text and the author. I would say that I am a little more theologically liberal than most, so for me, this book was nothing particularly new or shocking. Some of my house-mates were shocked and offended by some of the assertions that De La Torre made, while I found them to be in line with my perspective of the Bible, at least for the most part. I would say that De La Torre's ideas are great, for the most part, but he could work on making his presentation a little more graceful. Especially considering that we're all approaching the topic from a viewpoint of grace, he should show a little more grace and willingness to reconcile with those who he considers to be marginalized by.

[Alisa Ediger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This type of book is critical for people from affluent white communities to see different perspectives. There is a lot of insight into how different people groups read the Bible that can help broaden a persons understanding of the text and of society. I do wish some parts were more in depth. The book covers so many marginalized groups (various ethnicities, sexualities, and socio-economic levels) that it could not dive into any one too deeply, but rather was a more of a survey of marginalized readings. As an introduction to understanding Christianity from the lenses of different people groups, it is a valuable book; yet, the exploration of diverse viewpoints should not end with this book, but rather it should be a launching pad to seeking greater understanding of marginalized viewpoints.

[Micaela Hardyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book. Changed my perspective on things more than a book has in a long time. So worth the read

[Brittany McDonald Null · Rating 5 out of 5]

De La Torre provides a difficult yet approachable read for those who want an introduction to different theological lenses. His ideas are well articulated. There were several instances where my privilege bumped up against his words, causing me both discomfort and the desire to rethink how I approach scripture. For this I am both stretched and thankful.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the ideas are great and worth consideration. The short comings are forgivable bc it does serve the purpose of a more introductory text and is readable.

The main idea clearly communicated throughout the text (almost redundantly?) that “Reading the Bible from the margins provides a salvific message of liberation for all of humanity by providing the key to combat the oppression of humans by other humans so that all can enjoy the abundant life” (taken from the end of the book). The dominant culture often prescribes a “metaphorical reading” of more difficult passages to assuage any guilt or sacrifice of assets, and a literal reading of passages that ensure those on the margins stay on the margins. But what is chosen for metaphorical or literal interpretation changes with time (slave ownership for example). Who decides? (Not the marginalized.)

I learned about too many scriptural texts that traditionally have not been offered a different/marginal lens OR more egregiously, offered an inaccurate lens with a political agenda, and I appreciated that learning. For example, why do so many believe Mary Magdalene was a prostitute? That is no where in scripture (but furthered an agenda).

I wouldn’t suggest that this is the best book (though not a bad book) on this subject mostly because of the sweeping generalizations/assumptions about those on the margins, lack of footnotes/citations for some of the statistics included, as well as some degree of less than stellar editing and organization. There were many wordy sentences I had to reread to understand. Not because the ideas were difficult but the wording was awkward. (I understand this challenge because I also struggle with it 😆.)

I’m torn on my rating because I agree with many (not all) of his ideas, but on the literary scale, disappointed in the execution.

He does cite many earlier works on the subject and I’m interested to check those out. As well as encouraged that there is so much more out there like this and that those on the margins have been writing about it for so long, despite their lack of exposure. I wish I had come across them much earlier in my faith journey.

[Steve Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since it was published in 2002, de la Torre was most likely finishing this book in 2000-2001, the year I was in a enrolled full-time in a seminary that taught its own conservative, reformed, Eurocentric Calvinist faith as "biblical" truth and scorned other angles on the scriptures as having their own point of view or agenda. As if reading or faith or anything could ever be devoid of point of view or purely objective. de la Torre celebrates the insights and strength that come from reading scripture from a particular point of view, and argues that reading from a more marginalized culture makes one more, rather than less, likely to read in ways that are faithful to the power and message of the gospel.

The last sentence of the book: "Reading the Bible from the margins provides a salvific message of liberation for all humanity by providing the key to combat the oppression of humans by other humans so that all can enjoy the abundant life." (172)

Four lines from his penultimate chapter on salvation.
-"...confining Jesus to my personal life becomes the ultimate act of religious selfishness." (137)
-"How can a church in an affluent nation like the United States follow the God of the crucified people?" (146)
-"...when Euroamericans read 'righteous' or 'righteousness' in their Bibels, Hispanics read 'just' or 'justice.'" (146)
-"Salvation, as liberation, requires crucifying maleness, riches, and whiteness - in other words, the active dismantling of any social structure designed to privilege one group at the expense of another." (150)

And from the concluding chapter:
"The themes that serve as the foundation for how marginalized communities read the text also serve as a corrective to the highly individualistic and spiritual interpretations coming from the center of society." (160)
-Exodus: God the Liberator
-Amos: God the Seeker of Justice
-The Gospels: God the Doer
-Acts and the Letters from Paul: God the Subverter

[Erika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it. Did not finish. Author is at his strongest when focusing on alternative readings of specific Biblical text. Most of the book is a polemic and harangue.

[Devin Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really challenging as Miguel A. De La Torre argues that though the Bible itself is authoritarive our interpretations, influenced by our culture/racial/gender/class, may not be. Maybe there are times when the "true" interpretation of particular passages are influenced by power dynamics, meaning more powerful groups interpretations are given more authority. This leads to misuse and oppression of other groups (i.e. slavery being biblically justified). Im convinced that listening andlearning from the poor and marginalized is essential for us in reconciling with those inside and outside the church. Pne critique is that he generalizes the marginalized in saying they all look at Scripture from their.perspective when in my experience they often take on the power groups perspective because thats what they have been told is right.

[Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I'm quite the target audience for this book; it comes from a course for conservative Midwestern Christians who think there's only one "right" interpretation of any given Bible passage. That said, many of the perspectives discussed are interesting and new to me. The author sometimes tries to back up his statements with reasoning/logic, and this is where the book feels weakest -- unsurprisingly, it's hard to have airtight logic around the interpretation of religious texts.

Also, the sections discussing LGBT perspectives are a bit equivocating. I can't tell if the author is religiously uncomfortable with LGBT people, or if he just thinks his audience is. Then again, it might just be that I've read those particular interpretations repeatedly.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting read. De La Torre raises questions that challenge his readers to re-examine maintream thought. He provides transparency to what may commonly be invisible in connection with the "poor and outcasts" of society. He confronts the question, "what is discrimination?" Miguel's exegesis on the biblical text is awakening for the Modern Day Christian and too real to be ignored by any person working in the faith and love of God.

[Madeleine Lesieutre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned the Gospels upside down (better know as right side up), for me. I will refrain from pouring out my spiritual baggage on a goodreads review, and just say, it was well worthwhile.

I was often reminded of Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem, “Kindness,” especially in discussion of the concept of Han and its application to the story of the Good Samaritan.

[blmagm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scholarly look at how racism, classism, and sexism have marginalized large segments of people throughout history; how the dominant cultures have oppressed the marginalized to protect their own privileged status; how both the marginalized and the dominant cultures interpret biblical texts differently; and how the marginalized viewpoint is necessary to lead the dominant culture to salvation.
The book was originally published in 2002. It is currently in its 31st printing in 2022, but what it really needs is to be updated. Statistics are no longer accurate. For instance, the world population as stated in the text as three billion has now increased to 8.1 billion. De La Torre also needs to cite more recent examples of racial injustice. In addition to Rodney King, he could now include the police handling of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement to make the content more relevant to today’s audience. Lastly, some of his biblical references don’t pack quite the same punch as I think they would have over twenty years ago. I think it is pretty accepted nowadays that Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute. She had been denigrated to that position by reputation so that the church patriarchs would not have to deal with the first person to recognize the risen Christ was a woman. What would have raised an eyebrow then, no longer does.
I don’t know how decisions get made in the publishing world about updating texts, but I hope it will happen. This book, that engaged my thinking and in which I underlined many passages and wrote comments and questions “in the margins” deserves to be updated.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't exactly remember when I got this book, but it was shortly after hearing Miguel A. de la Torre speaking at a conference. He made the point that there is one Greek word that can be translated as either righteousness or justice. So, in the Beatitudes my English NIV says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness," while my Spanish Bible says, "Dichosos los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia." While my understanding of righteousness had always been about an individual relationship with God that resembled piety, my understanding of justice had a more horizontal dimension - involving not only our relationship with God, but also with other people and even all of creation. This may have been the beginning to a critical shift in my understanding of who God is and our relationship to God and others.

So, I picked up the book which has now made three moves with our family along with its slowly moving bookmark. But, earlier this month, I finished reading it, and find it a really helpful tool. In some ways it is like a very basic primer to the curriculum I experienced at McCormick Seminary. I'm glad to have it as an available resource, but also happy to lend it to anyone who is interested in considering how the Bible is approached by those living at the margins of society.

Don't let the long time it took me to complete the book keep you from my strong recommendation that others read the book, as was my wife's initial reaction!

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had some mixed feelings about this book. There were many points brought up by De La Torre that I agreed with, and quite a few times I had to process through an idea that I had not thought of before. However, there were also certain parts that I did not necessarily agree with 100%. The main disagreement I had with him was his definition of racism. While De La Torre disagrees with the modern definition of racism being the active hatred for another race or the conscious belief that one is superior, I believe he goes too far on the other side to argue that your thoughts do not matter at all, and that you are racist simply if the system works in your favor, whether or not you are fighting to try to rectify the system. That definition becomes racist because it is based purely on your skin color as well. I think that racism is something that is more of a mix of both, and in-between. Racism is something of benefiting from your skin color, but not acknowledging the injustice or trying to right the wrongs that are occurring. It is the unwillingness to reach out across cultural and racial borders and understand those different than you. People can be racist without outright hating someone, but I don't think we should label someone racist simply because of their skin, because that just adds to the problem, especially in a time when that word brings up a lot of hurt and frustrations.

[Rosicruz Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this book is an introductory work aimed at a basic level (the course it presents is also directed towards college freshmen). It does not delve deeply into many issues, particularly in the section about various types of Christ, where it seems to forcefully create the logic of "because they suffer, the God who was crucified is with them."

The attempt to "vindicate" homosexuality is also insufficient; merely explaining that homosexuality in biblical times referred more to effeminacy or pedophilia is of no help. Rather, we should not hold onto stereotypes about a group but seek to understand each individual in depth.

Nonetheless, it is indeed worth reading, even though the author's target audience is the privileged middle class of white Americans, hoping they will confront structural issues. Regarding the situation of the Chinese church, the theology it primarily absorbs is that of North American Reformed or conservative positions, often dismissing liberation theology and feminist theology, showing little willingness to engage with them (which partly stems from its traditional East Asian patriarchal system). If a book like this can reach the younger members of the church, it would provide a valuable opportunity for them to develop a local perspective on reading the Bible.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an important and valuable introduction to how the history of biblical interpretation has prioritized the readings of the dominant culture over the interpretations of marginalized peoples. De La Torre convincingly challenges this hermeneutical prioritization by arguing that marginalized voices are, after all, the very voices Jesus' mission of good news and justice was for, and only be hearing these voices can both oppressors and the oppressed find abundant life. He offers indispensible challenges to how Euroamerican culture has read the ancient biblical texts, especially how they have inserted their own values in place of the needs and desires of the text's original audience. All those within the dominant culture of the west should wrestle with DLT's challenges here.
Yet the book frequently accuses the ancient authors for not sharing 21st century western sensibilities. These modern sensibilities are, in the conclusion, how DLT defines what Jesus must have meant by "abundant life." Important for its promotion of the marginalized's perspective and its modeling of how to read the scriptures from underneath, much of the book's exegetical conclusions should be challenged by and would benefit from other sources stronger on the historical background of the primary texts.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting perspective that I think all Christians should read. It makes you think and probably will make you uncomfortable too. But if you keep an open mind and try to step into the shoes of the so-called folks on the margins of society, you'll learn a lot. I did. One of my favorite passages, related to Gospel of John 10:10 "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The author, Miguel A. De La Torre writes:
"Simply put, if a biblical interpretation prevents life from being lived abundantly by a segment of the population or, worse, if it brings death, then it is anti-gospel. When a reading of the Bible ignores how minority groups are denied access to opportunities, when the Bible is read to rationalize the riches of the center while disregarding the plight of the poor, and when reading the Bible vindicates the relegation of women to second-class status, then such interpretations cease to be biblically based. Only interpretations that empower all elements of humanity, offering abundant life in the here-now, as opposed to just the here-after, are biblically sound."

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me feel embarrassed for being born as a privileged middle-class white woman. It made me step back and try to see through the lens of others 'in the margin'. From a white mail Jesus to a white Mother Mary and even onto a white Santa Claus (my thought, not the author's). The author continues to remind the reader that the uniqueness of us was not meant to segregate us from one another but this has been the case throughout the history of mankind. We are to APPRECIATE not exclude others for their uniqueness and there we've failed miserably. Let us not forget that Jesus himself was an immigrant, born into poverty and raised by a father who was not his biological father; so much like the situations today and through love he rose to be a leader of the people in spite of his humble beginnings. Look through the lens of others and let us not forget.

[Ashley Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible, as seen in color!

De La Torre paints a comprehensive picture of the Bible, from all perspectives. It is truly all inclusive, exploring the POV of specific groups of people of color, women, queer individuals, people with disabilities, the financially disadvantaged, and people from the center (typically white, well-off, heterosexual males). This book was assigned in the Queer Christian Fellowship Bible study. There have been a diverse group of members, from different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations. From the weekly discussions, it seems like everyone benefited from reading this book.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provocative and eye-opening for anyone who desires to read scripture with greater understanding from different perspectives. Any Christian who is a person of power or privilege (ie: white, educated, and/or economically comfortable and desires to go deeper when reading the Bible should read this book. While you may not agree with all De La Torre presents, his unpacking various well-known pieces of scripture will open your eyes as to how people on the margins (Black, Latino/a, Indigenous, or Amer-Asian) relate to their own reading of the Bible. I hope to bring this awareness to my scripture reading and reflection.

[Bob Peason · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic premise of this book is that those on the margins of society glean a different meaning from reading of the Bible than those in the comfortable center of society. This seems a reasonable truth, and one I could accept easily. However, the author goes on to state that the different truth found on the margins is, by default, correct, and that found in the center incorrect. I see little merit in this argument; we are called to find a common truth and that can only happen by honest discussion that does not presuppose the answer.

[Gwen Gerety · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent and Thought Provoking Book

Any one who claims to be a Christian will benefit from reading this book. It certainly gives a different and valid perspective on interpreting the Bible. The idea of action and the need to defend those who are marginalized are key themes but more than that is the need for true repentance for those who are at society’s center and receive all its benefits. Will we follow Christ or remain complacent, enjoying our power and privilege at the expense of others?

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an eye opening book for me. Reading this book was like looking at a black and white picture for 30 years, but then seeing some fraying around the edges of the picture...slowly peeling back those edges.... and then...seeing color for the first time.
Miguel de la Torre does a wonderful job of helping you see the Bible's history, the stories, the parables, and the life and death of Jesus from a totally different, fresh perspective.
Highly recommend.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helped me think about how our cultural context influences our reading of the Bible (and all books for that matter). The author helped me see things from some different points of view, and I hope it will have a permanent impact on how I read and interpret the book that is most important to me.

[Ryan Knauber · Rating 4 out of 5]

De La Torre successfully elucidates the power of interpretation in the Bible and how it has been used in manipulation. He shows, in specific example verses, the capacity for interpretations that aid those who are victims of systematic oppression. This is not a book on the exclusivity of the Bible for salvation, but rather reclaiming it for what it is--a light in the darkness of suffering.

[Janet Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this for our Interlude book in Education for Ministry. Reactions from the group centered on the datedness of this book (2005) and objections to some of the authors statements, particularly the focus on reading the gospel stories materially instead of metaphorically. We use metaphor so much that it is hard not to read with metaphors in mind.