Biblical Form Criticism In Its Context (the Library Of Hebrew Bible/old Testament Studies)
by Martin J. Buss /
1999 / English / PDF
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This magnum opus is not another catalogue of the forms of biblical literature, but a deeply reflected account of the significance of form itself. Buss writes out of his experience in Western philosophy and the intricate involvement of biblical criticism in philosophical history. Equally, biblical criticism and the development of notions of form are related to social contexts, whether from the side of the aristocracy (tending towards generality) or of the bourgeois (tending towards particularity) or of an inclusive society (favouring a relational view). Form criticism, in Buss's conception, is no mere formal exercise, but the observation of interrelationships among thoughts and moods, linguistic regularities and the experiences and activities of life. This work, with its many examples from both Testaments, will be fundamental for Old and New Testament scholars alikeThe present history is designed to support a forward movementnot by denying appreciation to what has already been done, but rather by pointing to new opportunities that can arise in a pursuit of what has not yet been done extensively.
In fact, in preparing this history, I have often been deeply impressed by the quality of older work. In many ways, it seems that one can build on earlier foundations, even though criticism of previous work is also appropriate. Such a situation is fortunate, for it implies that it is not necessary to begin from scratch and, further, that our own present work, too, may in the long run be helpful for future generations.
