The recovery of the history of the ancient Near East through archaeology is one of the major achievements of the modern age. Although the impact of this new knowledge on biblical matters is briefly surveyed, the main concern of this book is with the methods that archaeologists use in going about their work. Lance discusses the principles of excavation and how materials recovered are brought to bear on biblical studies. The book explains in detail the principles of stratigraphy and typology, suggests practical ways for the beginner to find needed information in the confusing array of primary...

An introduction to the goals and methods of textual criticism of the Bible, intended to give students of Hebrew the necessary tools to study the text. The principles of textual criticism are explained in terms of both their usefulness and their limitations, and are illustrated with examples from the Bible.

Professor Trible examines rhetorical criticism as a discipline within biblical studies. In Part One, she surveys historical antecedents and presents samples of rhetorical analysis. In Part Two, Trible applies formulated guidelines to the book of Jonah, revealing clearly the relationship between artistry and theology.

"Postmodernism" is not simply one perspective but a basketful of related critical assumptions. A.K. M Adam prepares readers for wrestling with deconstruction, ideological criticism, postmodern feminism, "transgressive" postmodernism, and other postmodern approaches to biblical interpretation. He offers plain-language explanations and illustrative examples and shows how students might undertake their own postmodern biblical interpretation.

Overholt shows the usefulness of cultural anthropology to enhance our understanding of ancient Israelite society and to shed light on some puzzling features of Old Testament stories, especially in the Elijah and Elisha cycles.

"The New Historicism" tackles the implications of historicism for biblical studies. The author navigates through the maze of new methods for biblical studies to develop a position that accommodates new, postmodern approaches without vitiating the quest for historical knowledge.

Not only describes how New Testament theology has been done but provides critiques of major approaches in the twentieth century and his own proposal.