2-1
,

The Historical Critical Method: Its Assumptions, Concerns and Contributions

The Historical Critical Method: Its Assumptions, Concerns and Contributuons

Jeffrey R. SHARP

One of the clearly recognized facts about modern biblical interpretation is that the Scriptures are rooted in history and that the interpreter who wishes to understand their message must delve into that history. In the words of one evangelical scholar, the Scriptures are “the Word of God in the words of men in history.” Some of the most useful tools for biblical study are the various disciplines which can be grouped under the title “The Historical Critical Method.” There are many different responses to criticism which range from a rejection of any form of criticism as being incompatible with a Sacred Text to the willingness to follow the logic of criticism and accept the conclusions to which criticism points as firmly as the evidence suggests. In this article the writer does three things: a) discusses the concerns and assumptions which gave birth to and inform the Historical-Critical approach to the Biblical texts; b) introduces historical criticism and its Bible study methodologies; and finally c) provides some comments on historical criticism's contributions and ongoing usefulness to modern Biblical study.

wordpress_admin Jan 06, 2023 No Comments

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

Related Posts

,

Message from the Editor of Issue 48

Editor's Note: Wu Guojie Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the number of people infected worldwide has exceeded 250 million, and the number of deaths has exceeded 5 million. This number does not include poor third-world countries with weak testing capabilities and inability to determine the cause of death. Due to the epidemic, the lives, economy, and travel of people around the world have been affected to varying degrees; for example, people have to wear masks when going out, maintain social distance, the number of gatherings is limited, quarantine is required when entering the country, travel has been greatly reduced, related industries have laid off employees, and unemployment has Rates thus increase and so on. In this environment, church gatherings have also been affected to a considerable extent. During the period when the epidemic was severe and gatherings were restricted, physical church gatherings were suspended, and online live broadcasts and video conversations became necessary alternative modes; even if the epidemic eased and physical gatherings reopened, online Synchronization has also become the new normal. In the face of this disaster, which is called the "pandemic of the century," what resources does the Christian faith have that can help the church respond and turn the crisis into an opportunity? This issue of "Sandow Journal" takes "Epidemics and Disasters" as the theme, and brings together different scholars to discuss it from the perspectives of the two Testaments, doctrinal theology, and practical theology, hoping to enlighten modern Christians on how to deal with the challenges of this era. ...