Documentary Hypothesis (WRT Bible)--Sources offering different perspective?

[Chris in VA]

I am thinking of taking a 4 year course thru a seminary (Wishbone Dawn, it's EFM :D), but I am iffy on the Documentary Hypothesis and some of the historical critical methods involved in studying the Bible.

 

If you know what I'm talking about, can you give me some resources to balance out the study? I need some refutation, some alternate views, some more conservative responses to the DH way of looking at the Old Testament, in particular.

[Spy Car]

I am thinking of taking a 4 year course thru a seminary (Wishbone Dawn, it's EFM :D), but I am iffy on the Documentary Hypothesis and some of the historical critical methods involved in studying the Bible.

 

If you know what I'm talking about, can you give me some resources to balance out the study? I need some refutation, some alternate views, some more conservative responses to the DH way of looking at the Old Testament, in particular.

 

If you want an outstanding resource that supports D.H., you might look at the Anchor (Yale) Bible Commentaries. Very in depth.

 

Bill

[Chris in VA]

Thanks, SC--Actually, I want the opposite. We have the Anchor commentaries, as well as tons of other resources, but I don't have anything that gives the refutation of DH--Most of the things I've read in that vein have simply said it isn't true or whatever, but nothing has gone step by step with WHY. Even something that just refutes the "strands" in Genesis would be helpful.

 

The seminary program I'm attempting is so darned cock-sure of itself, I just want a broader view.

 

Thanks, tho. At least you knew what I'm talking about! LOL

[WishboneDawn]

I am thinking of taking a 4 year course thru a seminary (Wishbone Dawn, it's EFM :D), but I am iffy on the Documentary Hypothesis and some of the historical critical methods involved in studying the Bible.

 

If you know what I'm talking about, can you give me some resources to balance out the study? I need some refutation, some alternate views, some more conservative responses to the DH way of looking at the Old Testament, in particular.

 

Yay!!!

 

I've actually been asked to consider mentor training to be an online EFM mentor. It's a great experience.

 

One thing you should know is that a good mentor will present the DH as simply a hypothesis. Not as the only way to look at the OT but as idea in liberal-moderate biblical scholarship. It was made clear to me (I had an excellent mentor) that there are other ideas, just that this was the lens that the writers choose to look through when examining the Bible.

 

It may not be the one you choose to embrace in the end but it does make for an interesting journey during the course. Challenge it but also spend a bit of time sitting back and reading the Bible from that POV. I've recently found it's pretty interesting to examine the Bible from perspectives I don't embrace to gain a different insight into the text and how others view it.

[WishboneDawn]

Thanks, SC--Actually, I want the opposite. We have the Anchor commentaries, as well as tons of other resources, but I don't have anything that gives the refutation of DH--Most of the things I've read in that vein have simply said it isn't true or whatever, but nothing has gone step by step with WHY. Even something that just refutes the "strands" in Genesis would be helpful.

 

I don't know if you will find anything like that. Part of the issue with the DH is that it's is just a hypothesis. There's no evidence outside a certain reading of Genesis for it. It's really more of a good and interesting idea then anything that can be proven or reasonably refuted.

 

As I said in the other post a good mentor should make that clear and not present it as absolute fact.

[Denise in Florida]

I seriously love this board. The range of information that pops up and the expertise available. :001_smile: I have not delved into documentary hypothesis, although the terminology of J,E,D,P is familiar; but I have been working on extensive bible study. This year I plan to do coursework in early church history (non-reform) and a extensive study of Acts of the Apostles (BSF).

 

I will now add DH to the list of things to work through.

 

Thanks

[Spy Car]

Thanks, SC--Actually, I want the opposite. We have the Anchor commentaries, as well as tons of other resources, but I don't have anything that gives the refutation of DH--Most of the things I've read in that vein have simply said it isn't true or whatever, but nothing has gone step by step with WHY. Even something that just refutes the "strands" in Genesis would be helpful.

 

The seminary program I'm attempting is so darned cock-sure of itself, I just want a broader view.

 

Thanks, tho. At least you knew what I'm talking about! LOL

 

I understood you were (are) looking for the opposite. I should have guessed you had the Anchor books. I just thought I'd mention them to bolster the scholarly view you will meet in the seminary program.

 

Bill

[WishboneDawn]

I seriously love this board. The range of information that pops up and the expertise available. :001_smile: I have not delved into documentary hypothesis, although the terminology of J,E,D,P is familiar; but I have been working on extensive bible study. This year I plan to do coursework in early church history (non-reform) and a extensive study of Acts of the Apostles (BSF).

 

I will now add DH to the list of things to work through.

 

Thanks

 

Four source theory for the NT as well. Not to add to your workload or anything. :D

[Denise in Florida]

Four source theory for the NT as well. Not to add to your workload or anything. :D

 

I went to Amazon to check it out and found the Anchor - Acts of the Apostles. Now if only I had $50 to spare. Of course, I really want to check out the Genesis one too.

 

Wasn't there a post the other day about how much money this board ends up costing. :lol:

[ScoutTN]

Commentaries are tricky - one person's feast is another's famine, but I'd highly recommend Keil and Delitzsch. Scholarly and conservative. And available online!

 

Not scholarly, but written by those who can write on that level: Tyndale OT commentaries, published by IVP.

 

Other OT books/authors:

K.A. Kitchen (very archeology oriented, but deals with textual issues too)

Umberto Cassuto - for a rabbinical p.o.v. against the documentary hypothesis.

An Intro to the OT by Longman and Dillard

A Survey of OT Introduction by Gleason Archer

The Authorship of Deuteronomy by J.W. McGarvey, 1902.

 

for NT reading on text critical issues:

anything by D.A. Carson

F.F. Bruce

Bruce Metzger

 

Except as noted, all of these are seminary level reading.

 

For more help, I'd call a good conservative seminary bookstore and talk with them. Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia (reformed/Presbyterian) is excellent or Trinity Evengelical School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA if you prefer an Anglican source.

 

Enjoy your course! That's a big commitment.

[Chris in VA]

Trinity doesn't subscribe to the DH? Really? That's pretty amazing. It's standard Episcopalian seminary fodder.

I'll have to check that out. Since the course comes from another Episcopal seminary, materials used by Trinity would be well-respected (well, repected, anyway...inside Pissy joke...).

 

It's not that I don't want to know more about DH--I already do, having taken several courses at Virginia Seminary way long ago, as well as other courses (and some self-study). I think it just bothers me that the course our church offers only gives that perspective, and it can mess some people up when they take it as (pardon the expression) Gospel.

 

I would feel the same about presenting DH in a non-DH class. In fact, I've added some of the theory to the Beth Moore classes I've facilitated. So, I am looking for balance, I guess.

[ScoutTN]

Well, maybe not!

 

Your question made me consider the date! My experience in Ambridge was twenty years ago (several summer classes before I went to another seminary full time) and my professors were conservative evangelicals. Definitely not mainline doctrinally. Very much of the John Stott or J.I.Packer mold. Same for most of the students. But that may have changed over the years!

 

My friends who are Trinity grads (in their mid 40s now) have all left the Episcopal church for evangelical Anglican parishes/diocese, some of them many years ago. A couple even converted to the dark side and are PCA now! ;)

 

Enjoy your quest for balance! It's always good to bring something outside the box to a seminary class! And to provide good reading lists for others who have like interests!

Edited August 15, 2011 by ScoutTN