The Old Testament as Scripture of the Church

Authors

Brevard S. Childs, Yale Divinity School

Publication Date

12-1-1972

Document Type

Article

Keywords

historical-critical, old testament, canon, smith, jewish, early christian, faith

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

The author argues that the historical-critical approach to the Scripture leads to unedifying results when the practitioner fails to treat Scripture as the Book of the church, containing the record of God's unique revelation. He argues that the history of the canon has been neglected and that canonical history gives the key to understanding the nature of Scripture as the Book of the church. He concentrates on the canonical shape of the Pentateuch. Although Dr. Childs endorses the major results of the historical-critical approach to the Old Testament, he argues that the historical-critical method is neither the perfect nor the only approach to Biblical studies. All exegesis must be measured in some sense by the Gospel.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Childs, Brevard S. (1972) "The Old Testament as Scripture of the Church," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 43, Article 75.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol43/iss1/75