Historical Criticism of the Bible: Methodology Or Ideology?

For too long conservative Christians have been defensive about their stand on God's Word, according to evangelical German Bible scholar Eta Linnemann, a former student of Rudolf Bultmann and Ernst Fuchs. It is time to put modern Bible critics on trial - judging their claims of scientific objectivity in biblical studies. "The fascination with historical-critical theology, to which many evangelicals have more or less succumbed, lies in its claim to be scientific," observes Linnemann. "We are taught to respect scientific results. But what goes unnoticed is that many of these 'results' are nothing more than unproven hypotheses that are trumpeted to be facts once they have found broad agreement."

The intellectual movements of secular humanism, the Enlightenment, and German idealism have greatly shaped the development of Western universities and society since the 18th century. Linnemann demonstrates the extent to which these humanistic philosophies have permeated the field of biblical studies, and offers a radical prescription for the recovery of a genuinely scientific methodology of biblical interpretation. In his translator's introduction, Robert Yarbrough contends "Linnemann's diagnosis and prescription have preemptive value, calling evangelicals to consider their ways before current maladies escalate to fatal proportions - assuming, of course, that is not already too late."

CONTENTS:

1. The Anti-Christian Roots Of The University
2. Pertinent Questions Concerning The University
3. Ancient Israel And The Modern West
4. Christian Education At The University Level
5. The Bible And Modern Man
6. The Study Of Historical-Critical Theology
7. The Faith Of Theology And The Theology Of Faith
8. The Mentality Of Historical-Critical Theology
9. Historical-Critical Theology And Evangelical Theology
10. The Word Of God

- Publisher

Publisher Description

In "Historical Criticism of the Bible" Eta Linnemann tells how modern Bible scholarship has drifted far from the truth, and why its assumptions are nonetheless so influential and thereby inherently dangerous. In part 1 she analyzes the ideas that have shaped Western thought through four centuries, explaining how secular humanism, the Enlightenment, and German idealism have influenced Western universities in general and biblical scholarship in particular. In part 2 she argues that historical criticism constitutes an ideological system rather than the objective scientific method scholars say they observe--exposing the presuppositions and dangers of the historical-critical system. ?"Every leader and participant in our educational system owes it to themselves and to the public to face the issues starkly laid out in this volume. The intellect is in severe trouble today, and Eta Linnemann shows clearly why. Her analysis sets the agenda for responsible Christian intellectuals and minist