📘 Lexicon Entry: Historical Criticism

Scholarly method examining biblical texts through historical-critical tools, focusing on authorship, dating, and context, sometimes bracketing theological content

Scholarly method that examines biblical texts primarily through historical-critical tools, focusing on authorship, dating, sources, and historical context without necessarily engaging the theological content as truth claim. While historical investigation can legitimately serve theological understanding by illuminating the human context of divine revelation, historical criticism becomes problematic when it becomes the sole criterion for biblical authority, reducing Scripture to merely human document through methodological naturalism that excludes divine action.

Theological Alternative

source criticism, form criticism, redaction criticism, historical reconstruction, biblical scholarship, methodological naturalism

Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Historical Criticism.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Historical investigation serves theological understanding by illuminating human context of divine revelation, with historical tools becoming servant rather than master

Historical criticism becomes sole criterion for biblical authority, reducing Scripture to merely human document through methodological naturalism

Emphasis on historical reconstruction through critical methods; focus on human authorship and editorial processes; methodological assumption of naturalistic explanation

Recognition of Scripture’s human dimension requiring careful analysis, proper historical criticism enhancing rather than undermining biblical authority

Scripture’s human authors in historical contexts (<a href=”https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201:20-21&version=NIV”>2 Peter 1:20-21</a>), Gospel composition specificity (<a href=”https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:1-4&version=NIV”>Luke 1:1-4</a>), Jesus’s historical interpretation (<a href=”https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204:16-21&version=NIV”>Luke 4:16-21</a>)

Dominates academic biblical studies in universities and divinity schools, often creates tension between scholarly interpretation and faith community needs

Foundational methodology in biblical studies departments, influences seminary education through emphasis on critical methodologies

Julius Wellhausen, Hermann Gunkel, Karl Barth, Brevard Childs

Related Primary Concepts: Analogical Reading, Analogical Metaphysics

Key Mutations: Practical Atheism (when methodologically naturalistic)

Theological Alternatives: Participatory Hermeneutics, Sachkritik

Historical Context: Fundamentalism (reaction against), Literary Criticism (complementary approach)

May 26, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*