THE GROWTH OF THE BIBLICAL TRADITION: The Form-Critical Method

by Klaus Koch ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1969

Form-criticism"" has been, perhaps, the most important method employed by Biblical scholars in this century. It is defined here as a way of discovering ""the underlying principles"" governing the language of the Bible, through ""the study of the larger units of the literary types of speech."" Understanding of the meaning of a passage comes through identifying its basic literary type, the intention governing the use of that type, and the characteristic situations in which the type appears. The principles of form-criticism are explained and then applied to selected passages as examples of the method--narratives, hymns, saying, and the Decalogue of the Old Testament and the Beatitudes of the New Testament as comparable form structures. Intended as an introduction to form criticism for theological students, this guide will be found useful by other serious students and readers of the Bible.

Pub Date: June 1, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION