Final answer:
Biblical anthropology interprets human culture through religious texts and theological principles, while secular anthropology uses scientific methods and embraces cultural relativism to understand humanity objectively. Secular study is broad, considering all aspects of humanity and acknowledging changes in culture and religion without theological influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering how the study of anthropology differs between biblical and secular contexts, it is essential to understand the foundations on which these studies are built. Biblical anthropology is guided by theological principles and interprets human history, culture, and behavior through the lens of religious texts. In contrast, secular anthropology relies on scientific methods and theories, seeking to understand humanity objectively without the influence of religious doctrine. The biblical study often involves a normative perspective, which means that it examines human nature, morality, and destiny with specific reference to what is prescribed in religious texts, such as the Bible.
Secular anthropology, on the other hand, embraces cultural relativism, trying to understand human societies from an insider's perspective without applying external standards of 'truth' or 'right and wrong.' It uses various research strategies like participant observation and takes a broad view, considering all facets of humanity including language, culture, artifacts, social practices, and biological evolution.
One example of differences in approach is the study of religion. While a biblical anthropologist might interpret religious practices in the context of divine revelation and scriptural truths, a secular anthropologist would aim to understand these practices as part of a culture's institutions and social fabric as per theorists like Emile Durkheim. Thus, the two approaches can yield very different understandings of the same phenomenon, reflecting the diverse ways in which anthropology can be studied and applied. Furthermore, unlike secular anthropology which acknowledges dynamic changes in religious affiliations and beliefs, biblical anthropology would view such changes through the perspective of its theological tenets.