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== Critical Assumptions ==

== Critical Assumptions ==

Perhaps no study requires so devout a spirit and so exalted a faith in the supernatural as the pursuit of the Higher Criticism. It demands at once the ability of the scholar, and the simplicity of the believing child of God.<ref>"The History of the Higher Criticism", Canon Dyson Hague, M. A., Rector of the Memorial Church, London, Ontario. He discusses the differences between legitimate and illegitimate approaches to historical-critical research.</ref> The Bible’s message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’. Unique among all the world's literature, the Bible is really God's word in human language.<ref>St. John's Abbey: ''The Bible’s message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’.'' Friday, January 17th, 2014, Benedictine Father Michael Kwatera, a monk of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN. A discussion of the meaning of historical-critical methodology.</ref> The more conservative theologians who employ the historical-critical method believe that the Scriptures are more than the writings of mortal men.<ref>Siegbert W. Becker, "The Historical-Critical Method of Bible Interpretation", page 4. He distinguishes the good from the bad among historical-critical researchers.</ref>

Perhaps no study requires so devout a spirit and so exalted a faith in the supernatural as the pursuit of the Higher Criticism. It demands at once the ability of the scholar, and the simplicity of the believing child of God.<ref>"The History of the Higher Criticism", Canon Dyson Hague, M. A., Rector of the Memorial Church, London, Ontario. He discusses the differences between legitimate and illegitimate approaches to historical-critical research.</ref> The Bible’s message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’. Unique among all the world's literature, the Bible is really God's word in human language.<ref name=BFMKwatera>St. John's Abbey: ''The Bible’s message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’.'' Friday, January 17th, 2014, Benedictine Father Michael Kwatera, a monk of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN. A discussion of the meaning of historical-critical methodology.</ref> The more conservative theologians who employ the historical-critical method believe that the Scriptures are more than the writings of mortal men.<ref>Siegbert W. Becker, "The Historical-Critical Method of Bible Interpretation", page 4. He distinguishes the good from the bad among historical-critical researchers.</ref>

'Critical' does not mean debunking scripture, and it does not mean proving its truth. Religious Bible readers may also be interested to learn something about where their Scripture came from, who wrote it, and how editors collected it for them to read. For that only a historical-critical inquiry will do the job.<ref>"What Is the Historical-Critical Method?" (Wake Forest University).</ref> One of the most distinctive features of the Bible is the consistency with which its authors place events in real-life history.<ref>The Bible as Literature: The Bible ~ A Literary Work and an Artistic Presentation of Human Experience</ref>

'Critical' does not mean debunking scripture, and it does not mean proving its truth. Religious Bible readers may also be interested to learn something about where their Scripture came from, who wrote it, and how editors collected it for them to read. For that only a historical-critical inquiry will do the job.<ref>"What Is the Historical-Critical Method?" (Wake Forest University).</ref> One of the most distinctive features of the Bible is the consistency with which its authors place events in real-life history.<ref name=literature>The Bible as Literature: The Bible ~ A Literary Work and an Artistic Presentation of Human Experience</ref>

:"Did ''ever'' people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?" Deuteronomy 4:32.  

:"Did ''ever'' people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?" Deuteronomy 4:32.  

:"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables" 2 Peter 1:16.

:"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables" 2 Peter 1:16.

"'''''The more conservative theologians who employ the historical-critical method believe that the Scriptures are 'more than the writings of mortal men'...'''''" —(Siegbert W. Becker, "The Historical-Critical Method of Bible Interpretation", page 4. ''bold-face emphasis added''.)

"'''''The more conservative theologians who employ the historical-critical method believe that the Scriptures are 'more than the writings of mortal men'...'''''" —(Siegbert W. Becker, "The Historical-Critical Method of Bible Interpretation", page 4. ''bold-face emphasis added''.)

They have found that the Scriptures are unique among world literature, and that the Bible is of a wholly different order from the pagan mythologies of the nations.

They have found that the Scriptures are unique among world literature, and that the Bible is of a wholly different order from the pagan mythologies of the nations.<ref name=BFMKwatera/><ref name=literature/>

== References ==

== References ==