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The Elements Is = 00 Her Criticism THE ELEMENTS IS = 00 HER CRITICISM THE ELEMENTS OF THE HIGHER CRITICISM BY ANDREW C. ZENOS Biblical Trofessor of Theology in SMcCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, III. So 7 [PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES] ^t \ , 9l } Q 3 NEW YORK FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY LONDON AND TORONTO 1895 COPYRIGHT, i8gs BY FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGES CHAPTER I. THE NAME AND PLACE OF THE HIGHER CRITICISM 1-13 Criticism in general Higher and Lower Criticism Distinction between them in Historical Method ology Distinction sometimes based on kind of evidence dealt with by each Sometimes on the extent of True distinction the application ; object in view No difference in importance between them Name " Higher Criticism" arbitrarily fixed " and open to objection " Literary Criticism am biguous and not preferable " Historical Criti cism " also ambiguous Definition reached Higher Criticism and Introduction Higher Criti cism and Biblical Criticism The Higher Criticism not a set of results Nor analytical views nor destructive theories But a method of research. CHAPTER II. THE OBJECTS OF THE HIGHER CRITI CISM, , 14-46 Aim legitimate I. Origin Authorship Impor tance of some knowledge regarding authors of books Personality of author His qualification for his task His occupation His habits Name of author not always given Sometimes lost by accident Sometimes omitted intentionally Sometimes disguised as nom de plume Question of genuineness Question of authenticity Forms of authenticity Illustrations Question of integ rity Integrity how impaired By editorial re- iii IV CONTENTS PAGES vision By accident By compilation Kinds of compilation Summary of questions as to origin II. Literary form Not always apparent at first glance Must be made subject of investigation III. Value Adaptation as means toward an end General and specific value Value of historical writings Value of religious writings Application to the Bible Summary of question of value These problems must be solved Yet their solution not indispensable Critical views are working hypothesis Conclusion. CHAPTER III. THE METHODS OF THE HIGHER CRITI CISM. I. THE LITERARY METHOD, . 47~6& Kinds of evidence used in Criticism External and internal compared External evidence not ad " mitted Meaning of " internal as applied to the Bible Methods classified I. Literary method, its basis Vocabulary as a means of answering criti cal questions Use of synonyms Peculiar use of words Idioms and phrases Rhetorical qualities of style Condition necessary for safe use of these data : exclusion of disturbing factors Difference of time of composition Of subject treated of Employment of amanuenses Scribes in Oriental " countries Expert" judgment as to literary phe nomena Caution needed Conclusion. CHAPTER IV. THE METHODS OF THE HIGHER CRITI CISM. II. THE HISTORICAL METHOD, . 67-101 Nature of the historical method in general Forms : i. Direct allusions to historical events In some cases very abundant Illustrations (Isaiah, Jere miah, Ezekiel) But often very meager Illustra tions (Joel, Job, the Pentateuch) 2. Anachronism Predictive prophecy not anachronism Illustra tion : Isaiah s mention of Cyrus 3. Argument from silence (A) Causes of silence Suppression of in- CONTENTS. V PAGES formation Insignificance of things omitted Ignorance by the author of things omitted (B) In ferences from such ignorance (C) Applications of the argument from silence First application in answering question of authorship and date Condi tions prerequisite for safe use Things omitted must be important They must be relevant to the subject treated of There must be no motive for suppress ing them Illustrations Second application in detecting forgeries Illustrations Third applica tion in indirectly determining historic situations Illustration : silence of Samuel as to Mosaic law Intricacy of application diminishes Its value a parallel and its lessons 4. Argument from con- cinnity Based on necessity of order Simple form of the argument Reconstructive form Condi tions for proper use (a) apparent lack of order (b) reasonableness of order proposed. CHAPTER V. THE METHODS OF THE HIGHER CRITI CISM. III. THE ARGUMENT FROM THE CONTENT OF THOUGHT, . 102-118 The "theological method" Characteristics of thought Indications of authorship Basis of Bibli cal theology Development of thought Limita tions to the use of the argument Development not uniform Reversions Degenerations Theo ries of evolution Hegelian theory Applied by the Tubingen school Its failure Spencerian evo lutionIts inadequacy Proper uses of the argu ment i. In making a preliminary sketch 2. In corroborating results otherwise attained Cumula tive use of arguments in case they converge toward the same result Weakness in case they fail to converge No verdict in case they diverge Critical " divination " Not a magical power But skill in the use of the methods described. CONTENTS. Y i PAGES CHAPTER VI. THE HIGHER CRITICISM AND ORIENTAL ARCHEOLOGY, 119-133 The nature of Archeology Recent development Research in Egypt In Assyria In Palestine Materials accumulated Their decipherment Bearing on the Bible Relation to criticism Ar cheology not infallible Yet must be used Some positions established i. Biblical history proved to be trustworthy 2. Biblical history illumined 3. Literary methods cleared up 4. Light thrown on the relations of various traditions Genesis and Semitic traditions 5. Light on critical ques tions Archeology and interpretation. CHAPTER VII. POSTULATES IN THE USE OF THE HIGHER CRITICISM, 134-151 Equipment needed for the use of methods Pre suppositions a part of the equipment All science based on presuppositions The exact sciences History Philosophical postulates as presupposi tions Standpoints resulting from postulates I. That of Naturalism Illustrations : Baur, Kue- nen Results unsatisfactory II. Traditionalism also unsatisfactory III. Anti-traditionalistic standpoint Wholesale rejection of tradition un satisfactory IV. The comprehensive standpoint Discriminates between traditions Uses all valu able data. CHAPTER VIII. DOCTRINAL ASPECTS OF THE HIGHER CRITICISM, ....... 152-172 Power of the Bible depends on what men think of it Its origin Partly human Character of human authors determines value, at least in part Fraudu lent intention vitiates the whole moral character of the product Force of religious truth depends partly on the trust reposed in the teacher Reason cannot be an infallible guide in judging of validity CONTENTS. Vll PAGES all as it is weakened sin An objective f of truth, by rule of faith needed Criticism affects the form of In faith I. Rationalism Meaning of the term Makes exegesis In criticism It is unscientific human nature contradict itself II. Evangelical ismFaith based on good reasons Essentials of evangelicalism Jesus Christ as final authority Two wings of evangelicalism The right wing assumes that Jesus has decided the questions by using the language He used The left wing assumes that He left them open Doctrine of the fact of inspiration Difference between inspira tion and theories of its nature and mode Fact Criticism accepted by all, theories differ may lead to the modification of theories It cannot affect the fact. CHAPTER IX. HISTORY OF THE HIGHER CRITICISM, ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL, .... I73-I9 1 Criticism very old Though not long a science- Periods in its history I. Ancient period i. Pre- Christian age 2. Early Christian age Origen Dionysius of Alexandria Presuppositions Com mon view of the Old Testament Opponents of Christian Christianity Celsus- Porphyry Later fathers Eusebius Disuse and disappearance Carlstadt Cal 3. The Reformation age Luther vin Seventeenth century Hobbes Spinoza Roman Catholics R. Simon Clericus Van Dale Opposition Carpzov Vitringa. CHAPTER X. MODERN CRITICISM OF THE OLD TES TAMENT, 192-227 II. Modern period Separate growth of Old and.New Testament criticism The Hextateuch question- D. Literary argument Astruc Eichhorn J. Michaelis Results : The document hypothesis Geddes Vater The fragment hypothesis Ilgen V1I1 CONTENTS. PAGES Development of the historical argument De- Wette The supplement hypothesis Von Bohlen Bleek Tuch Knobel Stahelin Lengerke Ewald Crystallization theory Hupfeld Devel opment of the theological argument Vatke George Reuss Graf Kuenen Wellhausen Grafian theory Grafian school in Germany In England Colenso In America In France The Dillman school Older Conservative criticism in England Home Earlier German Conservatives Later German Conservatives Hengstenberg Keil Influence of Hengstenberg Recent English Conservatives American Conservatives Kloster- mann and his unique view Question of Isaiah Early discussions Recent phase Question of Daniel Genuineness denied Defense Questions in the minor Prophets Jonah Zechariah Ques tions in the Historical Books Judges Samuel Kings Chronicles Ruth Esther Questions in the Poetical Books Job Psalms Proverbs Song of Songs Ecclesiastes Latest French criti cism of Vernes and Havet. CHAPTER XL THE HIGHER CRITICISM IN THE NEW . TESTAMENT, . , . , . 228-248 Interest in the New Testament at first centers around the text R. Simon His opponents First phase of criticism Semler and Naturalism Eich- horn Rise of the Synoptic problem The question of the Fourth Gospel Defense of traditional views J. L. Hug Second phase Schleiermacher DeWette Credner Other followers of Schleier macher Third phase The Tubingen school Baur His early followers Latest phase of the "tendency criticism" Strauss Bruno Bauer Evangelical opposition
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