Historical Criticism (1 of 4 notes)

Part One
INTRODUCTION: 5 CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY
A DISPENSATIONAL THEOLOGY
By Charles F Baker

In this scientific age the Bible has been subjected to certain types of criticism with an apparent purpose at the outset to disprove the authority and historicity of the various books of the canon. One such attempt which has had devastating effects upon the faith of many is what is called Historical Criticism. It is also known as Higher Criticism, and, because of its results, as Destructive Criticism. It should be understood that the word Criticism, as used in this context, does not mean to find fault with, but rather to apply principles or rules for judging the character of a piece of literature. Lower or Textual Criticism is concerned with the examination of all of the extant ancient manuscripts of the Scripture and through a comparison of them to arrive at a text which is as near as possible to the original. Higher Criticism is not higher in the sense of superiority. Rather it is higher in order: arriving at the exact text comes first, followed by a criticism which examines the contents of the Scripture with reference to composition, authorship, date, and historical value as judged by internal evidence. It should be pointed out that both of these types of criticism are good and valuable when carried out properly.

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