2.2.0
Introduction
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Gerald Bray, "The Historical-Critical Method," Biblical Interpretation:
Past and Present, pp. 221-224
Robert H. Hendrick, "Historical Criticism," A paper presented to
Dr. Lorin Cranford in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the seminar
New Testament Critical Methodology, New Testament 771 on Sept. 27, 1993.
Located at http://cranfordville.com/HisCritBH.pdf
(pp. 2-29)
The term 'historical criticism' can conjour up all kinds of images, especially
the first time one comes across the term. Most of the images are negative
in nature. And if one studies only the beginning stages of this interpretive
methodology that negativism will find confirmation. With just that limited
perspective in mind, the Bible student will find the strong affirmations
of historical criticism by a large number of very conservative NT scholars
to be rather surprising. How did an interpretive method that began by casting
serious doubt on the credibility of much of the Bible wind up an essential
tool for contemporary Bible scholars who approach the biblical text with
deep respect for its divine nature as sacred scripture?
The answer to this question can be found in careful examination of the
history of this interpretive approach. That history has its roots in the
Rennaissance that swept over Europe after the Middle Ages and that has
defined the modern era for the past three to four hundred years in western
society. The tool, early on an instrument for disloging ecclesastical dogmatism
as a basis for state church control of society, has emerged as foundational
for most every form of serious effort at making sense out of the biblical
text. Theological stance, regardless of what end of the spectrum, has become
mostly irrelevant to the use of this method.
Thus the exploration of this methodology becomes essential, if we're to
understand the history of the interpretation of the New Testament.
One sidenote: Historical Criticism did not begin as a biblical interpretive
tool. Rather, its beginnings were in literature and the study of ancient
writings, in adddition to being a tool for historical studies of the past.
Gradually, it came to be applied to biblical studies, beginning with the
history of Israel in the Old Testament. Then, with time it began to be
applied to the New Testament, especially generating the Quest for the Historical
Jesus efforts. Eventually, it expanded into a historical approach to understanding
the "then" meaning of biblical texts. The "now" meaning has remained something
of a step-child to this methodology, sometimes being fully integrated as
the second phase of the process and sometimes being rejected as belonging
to the work of theologians rather than to biblical scholars who are to
concentrate solely on the "then" meaning.
2.2.0.1
The Situation creating Historical Criticism
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Resource Materials to also be studied:
One can never understand the approach to biblical interpretation called
Historical Criticism without first understanding the world that created
it. The emerging modern Europe in the Rennaissance era rediscovered history.
That is, it became fascinated with historical exploration. With the impact
of Artistole's definition of truth as logical consistency upon that historical
interest, the probing of the past took on substantial efforts at separating
out truth from fiction. The question, What actually happened?, became the
dominating question of historical investigation.
2.2.0.2
Emerging Methodology
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Resource Materials to also be studied:
2.2.0.3
Refinements
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Resource Materials to also be studied:
2.2.0.4
Widespread Acceptance
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Resource Materials to also be studied:
2.2.0.5
Developing Questioning of the Methodology
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Resource Materials to also be studied:
Bibliography
Check Bray's bibliography in appropriate chapter of the textbook.
Check the appropriate Bibliography section
in Cranfordville.com
Hendrick, Robert H. "Historical Criticism." A paper presented to
Dr. Lorin Cranford in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the seminar
New Testament Critical Methodology, New Testament 771 on Sept. 27, 1993.
Located at http://cranfordville.com/HisCritBH.pdf
(pp. 2-29)
"Historical Criticism," Catholic
Encyclopedia online.
McCarthy, John. F. "Neo-Patristic Exegesis: Its Approach and Method.
Part I. The State of the Question." Living
Tradition (No. 75, June 1998).
McCarthy, John. F. "Neo-Patristic Exegesis: Its Approach and Method.
Part II. A Neo-Patristic Reply to the Historical Critical Question."
Living Tradition (No.
76, July 1998).
McCarthy, John F. "Two Views of Historical Criticism: Part I. Historical
Criticism as a Critical Method." Living
Tradition (No. 77, Sept. 1998).
McCarthy, John F. "Two Views of Historical Criticism: Part II. Historical
Criticism as a Critical Method." Living
Tradition (No. 78, Nov. 1998).
Zinke, E. Edward. "Historical Criticism." Biblical
Research Institute. Sept. 1981.
--Lecture
Notes for Topic 2.2-
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