Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 20:1 (Spring 2023)
Article: “Go And Do Likewise” A Minority-Biblical Criticism Of Luke 10:25–37
Author: Mario M. C. Melendez

“Go And Do Likewise” A Minority-Biblical Criticism Of Luke 10:25–37

Mario M. C. Melendez

Mario M.C. Melendez serves as assistant professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

A recent Social-Scientific interpretation of the phrase, “Who is my neighbor” in the parable of the Good Samaritan (LK 10:25–37), is to care for the minority/immigrant, especially the illegal, who has been stripped of many social standings.1 However, often in minority pulpits this parable is used inclusively as an example for minorities to “go and do likewise.”2 Thus, the question addressed in this article is, “How should the identity of the good Samaritan affect our understanding and study of minority ministers?”3 The hermeneutical method proposed in this article is a Minority-Biblical Criticism (hereafter MBC).

Due to the lack of published steps to accomplish MBC, I will introduce the purpose of the method, then I will propose a four-step process. Second, I will utilize the steps to investigate the parable to answer the research question. Last, I will make application to contemporary ministry. Specific focus will be given to minority ministry, education, and biblical interpretation in the U.S. By utilizing the proposed four step MBC, a cultural balance to Social-Scientific interpretations will be provided for the reading and application of the Good Samaritan parable.

JBTM 20:1 (Spring 2023) 72

Minority Biblical Criticism

MBC strives to provide insight into the ethnic and cultural minority backgrounds of biblical narratives and yield inclusive application for modern minority groups.4 As noted, often in minority pulpits, this parable is used as an example for minorities to “go and do likewise,” but is this a valid reading? The parable of the good Samaritan in Luke introduced a traveling trader, a band of robbers, a priest, a Levite, a Samaritan, and an innkeeper. This variety of social characters provides an opportunity for an MBC of the dichotomy between the religious elite of the majority ruling culture and the praised ministry of the minority/immigrant Samaritan.

Social-scientific criticism’s aim as defined by John Elliot is, “a means for ‘exposing, examining, and explaining the specifically social features and dimension of the text, its author(s), recipients, and their relations, its social context, and its intended impact.’”5 Furthermore, Elliott defin...