Biblical Hermeneutics - National Open University of Nigeria

CTH 601 Biblical Hermeneutics
It is “the study of the ‘forms’ which the material took in the course of
being handed down.” The concern of form criticism is: “How do the
distinct forms of literary expression reveal something of the origins,
history and meaning of the text?”
Therefore, “Form criticism deals with the range of literary devices used
in communicating the message and tries to determine the historical
settings in which the forms were employed before they became part of
the Biblical books.” The task of form criticism thus ”suggests that some
biblical writers had at their disposal already existing sources in written
or oral form.”
Illustrative Example
Why did Matthew and Luke differ in the order of the second and third
temptations of Jesus? The temptation to jump down from the Jerusalem
temple was placed second by Matthew but third by Luke (Luke 4:1-13,
Matt. 4:1-11cf). This is a tradition critical concern.
Self-Assessment Exercise
What do you understand by tradition/form criticisms?
3.1.4 Redaction/Canon Criticisms
This is a theological criticism which complements tradition, historical
criticism. “It studies the use which an author makes of the material at
his disposal whether received by tradition or otherwise.” The relevant
question of interest to redaction criticism is “How has the author shown
his own creativeness in reshaping older traditions to serve his particular
theological purpose?” Therefore, it is concerned with “how the final
author or editor used the sources to address the concerns and problems
facing his audience in their historical setting.”
Canon criticism is an extension of redaction criticism. It is a theological
study of the completed canon of Scripture. The emphasis is not on the
original form of the text as it is done in some other critical approaches.
Illustrative Example
How do we account for the difference between the gospel written by
John and the three Synoptic Gospels? His primary intention evidently
was to evangelise non-Christians and to teach new Christians (John
20:31).
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