The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

Chart of Biblical Studies (continued)

Type of Criticism

The Task in Bible Study

View of the Bible

Proof Level

Level of Criticism

What is Studied

Strengths

Weaknesses

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History of the Bible in ancient Israel and the early Church (councils, conventions) Intense study of individual books to understand the meaning of the author’s theme and views Research of the ancient cultures, their customs, and their history Understanding of the receiving culture’s language along with the

Analyze the Church’s acceptance, view and use of the text

Taking the community’s view of the Bible seriously

Tends to make the Bible merely a group book

Product of religious community

Canonical Criticism

Higher

High

Deep analysis of an author’s entire collection of writings

Does not correlate the Bible with other books

Focus on the theology of the person who wrote it

Product of creative personality

Redaction Criticism

Higher

Mid

Investigate the historical setting,

Product of historical forces

Firmer grasp of historical issues of the text

Too far removed from the history

Historical Criticism

Mid

Higher

culture, and background

Pursuing a version of the Bible in one’s own tongue and thought world

Provide a clear, readable translation based

Reflects our own opinions about the text’s meaning

Product of dynamic interpretation

Translation Studies

Mid

Lower

meanings of the text for the best translation

on the best manuscripts