Postmodern Hermeneutics

I had a conversation last week about the emerging/emergent church and some of the new lines of thought associated with it.

"Emergents allow for a plurality of Scriptural interpretations. They exhibit a particular concern for the effect of the modern reader's cultural context on the act of interpretation in contrast to the emphasis of historical orthodoxy on the primacy of the author's intent and cultural context." (source: Wikipedia)

I wonder how important or relevant our current culture is in our interpretation of the bible. We obviously in our personal lives adapt to the times in various ways. God never changes! But if I read the bible with my mind that knows only the 21st century, I may in my mind associate what I read to experiences and/or culture today. But as I read I also know that the meaning of what is written never changes. I don't think that our personal experience should trump a biblical authors intent.

Obviously the bible is timeless in that the core message is applicable to anyone at any time in history. Concepts such as salvation, sin etc. are timeless, they were, will be, and mean the same regardless of our experiences.