Theological Term of the Week

source criticism
The field of biblical studies that seeks to “establish the literary sources the biblical author/editor drew upon.”1

• From 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer:

Source criticism seeks to establish the literary sources the biblical author/editor drew upon. For example, Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918), a liberal Old Testament scholar, argued that the Pentateuch was composed of four literary strands: the Yahwist or Jehovist (J), Elohistic (E), Priestly (P), and Deuteronomistic (D) sources. The evidence for the JEPD construction is actually quite tenuous. The data support traditional Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch, while obviously allowing for some gathering and editing of the Mosaic material. 

In the New Testament, source criticism is especially applied to Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic Gospels) because of their close similarity in wording and order. The majority of New Testament scholars believe that Luke and Matthew used two main sources in their composition—the written gospel of Mark and “Q.” “Q” is an abbreviation for the German word Quelle (source) and stands for a collection of written and oral sources that Matthew and Luke had in common. Indeed, Luke explicitly indicates that he drew upon multiple sources in the composition of his Gospel (Luke 1:1-4). As many early church fathers comment on the literary sources behind the Gospels (i.e., which Gospel author(s) were dependent on others), source criticism is truly an ancient discipline. 

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Heidelberg Catechism

Question 55. What do you understand by “the communion of saints”?

Answer: First, that all believers, as members of Christ, have communion with him and share in all his riches and gifts; (a) and second, that everyone has a duty to use his gifts readily and cheerfully for the advantage and well-being of the other members. (b)

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

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Sunday's Hymn: Oh, How Good It Is

Oh how good it is 

When the family of God

Dwells together in spirit 

In faith and unity. 

Where the bonds of peace, 

Of acceptance and love 

Are the fruit of His presence 

Here among us.

CHORUS 

So with one voice we’ll sing to the Lord 

And with one heart we’ll live out His word 

Till the whole earth sees 

The Redeemer has come

For He dwells in the presence of His people. 

Oh how good it is 

On this journey we share 

To rejoice with the happy 

And weep with those who mourn. 

For the weak find strength 

The afflicted find grace 

When we offer the blessing 

Of belonging. 

Oh how good it is 

To embrace His command 

To prefer one another

Forgive as He forgives. 

When we live as one 

We all share in the love 

Of the Son with the Father 

And the Spirit. 

—Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ross Holmes, and Stuart Townend (© 2012 Gettymusic and Parakeet Boots Music and Townend Music)

Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:

• Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart at Graces Daily
• Sing to the Lord of Harvest at The Happy Wonderer
• Culture as common grace at Blogging Theologically
• Christian Charity at Tried With Fire
• Lifting Up Our Hearts - 40 at The Upward Call
• As You Are Light, May I Walk in You from Trevin Wax
• Lord’s Day 39, 2014 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Your weekly dose of Spurgeon: Different by design at Pyromaniacs

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.