Accommodation

Definition

Accommodation refers to the theological concept that God condescends to human understanding by using familiar cultural and linguistic contexts to communicate divine truths through scripture. This idea highlights how biblical texts were influenced by the historical, social, and cultural backgrounds of their authors, allowing for a more relatable interpretation of God's message while also addressing the challenges of inerrancy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Accommodation suggests that God communicated in ways that were understandable to the people of the time, which can include language and concepts familiar to them.
2. This concept allows for different interpretations of scripture while maintaining that God’s overarching message remains intact.
3. It acknowledges that human authors had limitations due to their cultural contexts, which may affect how divine inspiration is perceived.
4. Accommodation can help explain apparent contradictions in scripture by framing them within the cultural understanding of the authors.
5. The idea supports the view that while scripture is divinely inspired, it is also a product of human history and experience.

Review Questions

• How does accommodation help us understand the relationship between divine inspiration and human authorship in the Bible?
  • Accommodation bridges divine inspiration and human authorship by suggesting that God communicated His messages through human authors using language and concepts they understood. This means that while the Bible is divinely inspired, it is also influenced by the historical and cultural contexts of its writers. By recognizing accommodation, readers can appreciate how God tailored His communication to be relatable, ensuring His truth could be effectively conveyed despite human limitations.
• What implications does the concept of accommodation have on discussions about biblical inerrancy?
  • The concept of accommodation raises important questions about biblical inerrancy by suggesting that while scripture may be divinely inspired, it is also shaped by human culture and understanding. This could mean that certain apparent errors or contradictions are not necessarily indicative of falsehood but rather reflections of the authors' contexts. Thus, discussions around inerrancy must consider how accommodation influences interpretations of scripture while still upholding the belief in God's ultimate truth.
• Evaluate how accommodation interacts with contemporary approaches to contextualization in biblical interpretation.
  • Accommodation interacts with contemporary approaches to contextualization by highlighting the importance of understanding both the original context of scripture and its relevance today. While accommodation emphasizes how God communicated through familiar terms and ideas, contextualization focuses on adapting those messages for modern audiences. Both concepts aim to bridge the gap between ancient texts and present-day believers, allowing for a deeper understanding of scripture's teachings while respecting its original intent and divine inspiration.

Related terms

Inspiration: The process by which God guides the authors of the Bible to write His message, ensuring that the scriptures convey divine truths.

Inerrancy: The belief that the Bible is without error in all its teachings and that it is fully truthful in matters of faith and practice.

Contextualization: The practice of interpreting scripture in light of its original context, including cultural and historical factors, to better understand its meaning for contemporary audiences.