Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

4. Divinely revealed ( its meaning can only be interpreted by God himself to us, not from our own thinking or analysis )

Note: Biblical studies is the attempt to recapture the meaning of the text in the context of the community as the community under- stood, transmitted, recorded, and theologized about the revelatory event.

D. Form Criticism: tracing the oral traditions (stories, reports, testimonies) associated with the events and the texts

1. Studies the oral traditions of the people of God and the early Church

2. Views the Bible as the product of human tradition

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3. Has a very low proof level

4. Strength: emphasizes that the Scriptures probably had oral beginnings before written products

5. Weakness: speculates and guesses too much about how the community shared its story

E. Source Criticism: discovering the written sources used in the creation of the books

1. Compares texts in various books to see similarities and contrasts

2. Views the Bible as the product of human tradition

3. Has a very low proof level