What is Redaction Criticism?

by Norman Perrin

For the past several decades New Testament scholarship has been strongly influenced by a discipline that arose in post-war Germany and is here called redaction criticism. Professor Perrin defines redaction criticism as as the discipline concerned with the theological motivation of an author as it is revealed in the collection, arrangement, editing, and modification of traditional material or the creation of new forms within the traditions of early Christianity. With lively style and technical expertise, he explores the origins, the nature, and the implications of this new approach to the Bible. Laymen eager for a chance to look over the biblical scholar's shoulder as he goes about his work, seminary and college students who want to see how modern scientific methods are utilized in the study of the Bible, and pastors who want to keep up with what is going on in biblical studies will find this book of great interest. A glossary and annotated bibliography enhance its value.

Genres: Theology, New Testament

Paperback

First published October 1, 1969

Reviews

[Steve Irby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished "What is Redaction Criticism?," by Norman Perrin.

Perrin begins with some history which takes us back to ~1850 and the Marcan hypothesis (Mark was written first and used as source material for Matthew and Luke). Where Mark, as a source, has post-Easter theology is where redaction criticism kicks in and says the Marcan writer has polished the script a bit. If I have this correct one looks at Mark and assesses what may be Marks theological thrust (for the Church(es) in Rome, for instance) from the sources he drew from. Then one can more easily assesses Matthew and Luke, where Mark was the source material, and see what their individual theological urgency may have been. Once one is working out of Matthew and Luke (assuming a two source hypothesis) one can begin also to say what Q said and the theological thrusts Matthew and Luke made based on Q (Quelle). Good intro book to a type of higher criticism.

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[Robin Melvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

diggidy damn- this was enthralling. its from 1970 so academic conversation has moved on a wee bit, but an excellent intro to redaction criticism- can speed through it in a couple hours.