Short Introduction to Critical Old Testament Methodologies

Gnuse provides a brief summary of critical methodologies used in interpreting the Old Testament, which is most useful for students beginning their serious study of the biblical text. The traditional methods are given consideration first: text criticism, source criticism, form criticism, and traditiohistorical criticism. Structuralism is explicated in a separate chapter. Then consideration is given to the newer literary and intellectual criticisms that have developed in the past two generation: rhetorical/aesthetic criticism, narrative criticism, ideological criticism, dialogism, reader-response criticism, biblical postmodernism or poststructuralism, and biblical deconstructionism. In most chapters one or two examples are provided of the textual analysis undertaken with each methodology. This work is an excellent supplement in an introductory course in biblical exegesis.