The Pentateuch in the twentieth century
Subtitle: the legacy of Julius Wellhausen
By: Ernest Nicholson.
Publisher: Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Oxford; Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 294
Subjects: Wellhausen, Julius, 1844-1918.; Bible. O.T. Pentateuch -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Documentary hypothesis (Pentateuchal criticism).
Description: Despite innumerable studies from at least the time of the Reformation, it was not until little more than a century ago that one hypothesis concerning the origin of the Pentateuch, the so-called 'Documentary Theory' formulated by Julius Wellhausen, established itself as the point of departure for all subsequent study of this topic. This book arises from the conviction that much in current Pentateuchal research needs to be subjected to rigorous scrutiny and that much, indeed, is radically mistaken. Dr. Nicholson argues that the work of Wellhausen, for all that it needs revision and development in detail, remains the securest basis for understanding the Pentateuch. The book is not a mere call to go 'back to Wellhausen', however, for Dr. Nicholson also shows that much in the intervening debate has significantly modified his conclusions, as well as asking questions that were not on Wellhausen's agenda.

But the Documentary Hypothesis should remain our primary point of reference, and it alone provides the most dependable perspective from which to approach this most difficult of areas in the study of the Old Testament.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [269]-283) and indexes.