May 12, 2025
An Interview with Dr. Larry Caldwell
Professor of Intercultural Studies and Bible Interpretation; Chief Academic Officer
What inspired you to pursue your field of study?
My fascination with the Bible and its interpretation started in high school and intensified during my university studies. This passion led me to pursue an MDiv with a double major in Old Testament (Hebrew minor) and New Testament (Greek minor), followed by a ThM in New Testament. During this time, my wife and I spent several years teaching in the Philippines and China. These experiences deepened my interest in the anthropological side of Bible interpretation, ultimately guiding me toward a PhD in Intercultural Studies. My doctoral work focused on the New Testament’s interpretation of the Old Testament as a potential model for biblical interpretation today.
How did your academic journey lead you to Kairos University?
My academic and teaching journey has been deeply shaped by the need for cross-cultural and contextually sensitive approaches to biblical interpretation. This aligns with Kairos University’s mission, which embraces theological education that is both globally relevant and deeply rooted in local contexts. My work in ethnohermeneutics—the study of how different cultures interpret the Bible—fits well within the ethos of Kairos. I am excited to contribute to this dynamic learning environment, where we seek to equip leaders for effective ministry in diverse cultural settings.
What excites you most about your discipline?
Interpreting the Bible well is imperative for anyone engaged in ministry today. However, we can no longer assume that the traditional Western approach to biblical interpretation is suitable for all contexts. The world is increasingly cross-cultural, multi-cultural, and multi-generational, and our approach to the Bible must reflect that reality. What excites me most is helping students and ministry leaders develop the ability to do both biblical exegesis and cultural exegesis—understanding not just what the Bible says, but how it speaks meaningfully within unique cultural contexts.
What books, theologians, or resources have influenced your work the most?
I highly recommend my own work on these topics, especially my forthcoming book, The Bible In Culture: Using Ethnohermeneutics to Read the Bible With All the World (coming Summer 2025). This book integrates my research on how biblical interpretation intersects with culture and anthropology. Beyond my own writings, I draw from a variety of scholars in biblical studies, intercultural studies, and anthropology who have shaped my thinking about how people across the world engage with Scripture in ways that make sense within their own traditions.
What do you hope students take away from your teaching?
I want students to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to Bible interpretation. Studying the Bible in isolation is no longer sufficient; we must also engage with anthropology to understand the cultural contexts in which Scripture is read and applied. My hope is that students will develop a posture of humility and curiosity, recognizing that their way of interpreting the Bible is not the only way. By embracing both biblical and cultural exegesis, they can become better equipped to teach and apply Scripture in ways that are meaningful and transformative for diverse communities.
Do you have a current research focus or interest with these disciplines?
Yes, I am currently exploring how biblical interpretation fits within oral and oral-preference cultures. More than a billion people in the world are oral learners, and another two to three billion prefer oral learning over written texts. This raises important questions: How can oral peoples use their own oral hermeneutical techniques when interpreting the Bible? and How do Western educational biases toward reading and writing affect the way theological institutions train future leaders? These are crucial issues for ensuring that biblical education remains accessible and impactful for diverse learning styles.
Dr. Caldwell’s insights challenge us to think deeply about how the Bible is understood across different cultures and learning styles. Stay tuned for more conversations with our faculty as we explore their unique passions and contributions to theological education.