Form criticism – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus refers to Scripture as the written Word that originates from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Jesus does not refer to oral tradition, but instead refers to the written Word numerous times (seven times in Matthew). Paul (2 Timothy 3:16) and Peter (2 Peter 1:21) refer to God and the Holy Spirit as the source for the written Word, not oral tradition.

Alternatively, form criticism aims to identify and analyze the literary forms, genres, and oral traditions behind the written text of Scripture. Scholars using this approach propose that biblical material—such as narratives, parables, poems, and laws–-took shape through repeated use in various worship or communal settings before being compiled into the documents we now recognize as the books of the Bible. This approach was popularized by German scholar Rudolf Bultmann, who used it to analyze presumed oral traditions behind the Gospels. However, form criticism is very limited in ability to produce trustworthy results, and the Bible shows that the words of the Bible come from God.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Bible indicates that “Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord” (Exodus 24:4, 24:37) to give to the Israelites the Law. God gave the Law to Moses; it wasn’t passed down to Moses through oral tradition.
• Similarly, God spoke to His prophets who wrote down His words (Jeremiah 30:2; Isaiah 30:8).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’" (Matthew 4:4). Jesus does not refer to oral tradition, but to the written Word of God.
• Paul wrote to Timothy, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16). The words in the Bible were inspired by God.
• Oral tradition implies that Scripture was passed from one human being to another. But the Bible indicates that Scripture was spoken by God to men: "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Form criticism was popular during the twentieth century among liberal scholars who deny the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. However, its influence has waned in recent decades due to skepticism about reconstructing the original oral forms with confidence. Also, some of its assumptions are unfounded, especially the idea that the Gospels were compiled from anonymous, uncontrolled oral traditions. This assumption lacks evidence, is unverifiable and is counter to what the Bible itself teaches (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

UNDERSTAND

• Form criticism categorizes Scripture according to its literary genres.
• Scholars using form criticism claim that the Bible took shape through oral repetition before being compiled into the books of Scripture we have today.
• The claims of form criticism are unfounded and contradict what the Bible teaches, which is why the theory has waned among the scholarly community over the years.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that the Bible is “God breathed” impact how you read it?
• What approaches do you use to read the various genres of Scripture?
• What helps you most in your study of the Bible?

ENGAGE

• Besides form criticism, what are some other ways that people try to undermine the authority of the Bible?
• How can Christians engage those who don’t regard the Bible as God’s inspired word?
• What are some ways that Christians can demonstrate the Bible’s spiritual authority?