Critical approaches to scripture

Historical-critical approaches

Source Criticism

Source critics ask:
Where did the author get this information? What were their sources?

They look for:
Characteristic vocabulary, particular themes, bias, theological perspectives

Form criticism

Form critics ask:
What type of text is this and what are the features of this text type?

They look for:
Structure of the text rules and conventions of the text type features of the text type

Redaction criticism

Redaction critics ask:
How has the text been edited and arranged to present a particular theological perspective?

They look for:
Parallel texts in other books material that is shared across parallel texts Background information specific to each text

Socio-Historical Criticism

Socio-Historical critics ask:
What is the social context of the world behind this text?

They look for:
Background on the social environment of the time, cultural and religious codes of behaviour, political climate of the time

Literary-critical approaches

Narrative criticism

Narrative critics ask:
What is the world like within this text? How do the parts go together to tell the story?

They look for: 
Author’s purpose and audience characters and setting plot and themes

Rhetorical criticism

Rhetorical critics ask:
What rhetorical devices has the writer used to persuade the reader to think or act the way they want?

They look for:
Tenor or voice of the text metaphors and similes repetition of words or ideas directive language and authoritative language

Advocacy criticism

Advocacy critics ask:
Who has the text silenced or omitted from the discourse? How does the text portray a minority group (e.g. women)?

They look for:
Evidence that a particular group has been edited out or excluded from the text; for example, whether information about women has been omitted.