Historical Criticism of the Bible

The ideas contained in secular humanism, Enlightenment, and German idealism have greatly shaped Western universities and indeed our society. But has it also influenced biblical scholarship? Eta Linnemann, a former student of Rudolf Bultmann and Ernst Fuchs, that it has. The author presents a telling analysis of the relation of scientific method and biblical interpretation within the context of the history of ideas. She offers a radical prescription for its recovery. In his translator's introduction, Robert Yarbrough contends "Linnemann's diagnosis and prescription have preemptive value, calling evangelicals to consider their ways before current maladies escalate to fatal proportions--assuming, of course, that is not already too late." "Every leader and participant in our educational system owes it to themselves and to the public to face the issues starkly laid out in this volume. The intellect is in severe trouble today, and Eta Linnemann shows clearly why. Her analysis sets the agenda for responsible Christian intellectuals and ministers in our day." --Dallas Willard University of Southern California "[Eta Linnemann] offers important insights and challenges to all who, within the academic enterprise, seek to be faithful interpreters of the Scriptures as the Word of God." --E. Earle Ellis Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary