Understanding Biblical Criticism

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Description

The term "biblical criticism" simply means discerning the most accurate text of the Bible ("textual criticism") and then exploring issues such as who wrote the various books of the Bible, when they were written, and the circumstances of the writing ("higher criticism"). Yet because the word "criticism" can imply fault-finding and because some prominent biblical critics come to their study with skepticism of the historical value of the Bible, biblical criticism often stirs up suspicion or even hostility. F.F. Bruce assures us that we don't have to be afraid of biblical criticism — textual, higher, source, form, or other approaches. Instead, he says, biblical criticism "can serve to confirm the validity of the Gospel record." He explains and demonstrates biblical criticism "in non-technical language," says biographer Tim Grass. "The essays in this book are clearly and concisely written," says Dr. David Capes. "They demonstrate a deep knowledge of the subject, and they flow from an even deeper and abiding commitment to Christ and faith."

This book includes articles originally appearing in Christianity Today, Essential Christianity, Precious Seed, and The Christian Librarian.

About the Author(s)

Frederick Fyvie Bruce (1910-1990) was born in Scotland, the son of a Christian Brethren (Plymouth Brethren) preacher. He studied at the University of Aberdeen (where he met his future wife, Betty), Cambridge, and the University of Vienna. He taught at the universities of Edinburgh (where he and Betty married) and Leeds before becoming department head at the University of Sheffield and later professor at the University of Manchester.

His significance, however, cannot be found in a list of his academic positions or his amazing output from popular articles to scholarly commentaries. His significance is that "at a time when both tasks seemed impossible, he persuaded evangelicals to think differently about scholarship, and scholars to think differently about evangelicalism," said Peter Oakes of the University of Manchester.

F.F. Bruce let the Bible speak freely and did not make it fit a particular system of theology. He was humble and gentle, and he respected those with whom he disagreed. He was a superb scholar, and his scholarship had the purpose of helping people encounter Jesus Christ.

His colleague I. Howard Marshall summarized Professor Bruce’s career, "[He] will obviously be remembered first of all for his highly distinguished academic career as a university teacher and a prolific writer who did more than anybody else in this century to develop and encourage conservative evangelical scholarship. Possessed of outstanding intellectual ability, a phenomenal memory, and encyclopedic knowledge, a colossal capacity for work, and a limpid style, he produced a remarkable output of books and essays which will continue to be read for years to come, and he trained directly or indirectly many younger scholars now working in all parts of the world."

To which J.I. Packer adds, "No Christian was ever more free of narrow bigotry, prejudice and eccentricity in the views he held and the way he held them; no man did more to demonstrate how evangelical faith and total academic integrity may walk hand in hand."

System Requirements

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