Freethought & Rationalism Archive

richard2 · 02-10-2006, 02:01 PM

Hi,

I keep hearing that the DH is dying among academics, but is that true? Is this just Christian BS like how they say that scientists are not supporting evolutionary theory anymore?

thanks,

richard

Chris Weimer · 02-10-2006, 02:20 PM

No. Although there may be a growing number of scholars rejecting it, the Documentary Hypothesis is very much alive and kicking.

John Kesler · 02-10-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard2

I keep hearing that the DH is dying among academics, but is that true? Is this just Christian BS like how they say that scientists are not supporting evolutionary theory anymore?

Richard Elliott Friedman addresses this subject on page one of The Bible With Sources Revealed:

Quote:

For centuries, scholars from many backgrounds have worked on discovering how the Bible came to be...The solution that has been the most persuasive for over a century is known as the Documentary Hypothesis...The hypothesis that, supposedly, no one believes anymore continues to be the model in which most scholars work. It continues to be taught in courses in major universities and seminaries. And it continues to be outlined in introductory textbooks on biblical studies. The primary arguments for it continue to go undebated--and frequently unmentioned.

I highly recommend this book. The introduction alone is worth the price.

Chris Weimer · 02-10-2006, 03:05 PM

Seconded what John Kesler said. In fact, I had that exact paragraph in mind when I wrote what I did.

Dean Anderson · 02-10-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard2

Is this just Christian BS like how they say that scientists are not supporting evolutionary theory anymore?

From what I've seen, that's an excellent comparison.

Anat · 02-10-2006, 04:44 PM

What are the positions of the scholars who reject the DH? Is there a serious alternative that is being suggested (serious means other than traditional claims of authorship such as 'Moses wrote the Torah, Joshua wrote his book, Samuel wrote judges and the early part of Samuel etc')? Or a modified DH?

Chris Weimer · 02-10-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anat

What are the positions of the scholars who reject the DH? Is there a serious alternative that is being suggested (serious means other than traditional claims of authorship such as 'Moses wrote the Torah, Joshua wrote his book, Samuel wrote judges and the early part of Samuel etc')? Or a modified DH?

From what I've seen, the other position is that all of the Torah was written very recently. It was spin, I think, who posited a Genesis to no earlier than the late second century AUC. (Heh, 4th century BCE.)

S.C.Carlson · 02-10-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Weimer

From what I've seen, the other position is that all of the Torah was written very recently. It was spin, I think, who posited a Genesis to no earlier than the late second century AUC. (Heh, 4th century BCE.)

Then it may just be only a matter of time until the DH becomes the "conservative" theory.

Chris Weimer · 02-10-2006, 05:01 PM

A lot better than the current "conservative" theory.

MerryAtheist · 02-10-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Weimer

(Heh, 4th century BCE.)

Thanks for that. :grin:

02-10-2006, 02:01 PM	#1
richard2 Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Nox Planet Posts: 438	Documentary Hypothesis Dying? Hi, I keep hearing that the DH is dying among academics, but is that true? Is this just Christian BS like how they say that scientists are not supporting evolutionary theory anymore? thanks, richard

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02-10-2006, 02:20 PM	#2
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	No. Although there may be a growing number of scholars rejecting it, the Documentary Hypothesis is very much alive and kicking.

02-10-2006, 03:05 PM	#4
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	Seconded what John Kesler said. In fact, I had that exact paragraph in mind when I wrote what I did.

02-10-2006, 04:44 PM	#6
Anat Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: home Posts: 3,715	What are the positions of the scholars who reject the DH? Is there a serious alternative that is being suggested (serious means other than traditional claims of authorship such as 'Moses wrote the Torah, Joshua wrote his book, Samuel wrote judges and the early part of Samuel etc')? Or a modified DH?

02-10-2006, 05:01 PM	#9
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	A lot better than the current "conservative" theory.

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