Silhouettes of Scripture : Considering the Contextual Approach with Form Criticism

Silhouettes of Scripture investigates biblical texts by a nuanced methodology that fuses the contextual approach with elements of form-criticism, featuring discussions rooted in triggers and convergences. This methodologically constructive work investigates well-known examples through fresh eyes and new ones with thought-provoking results.

The contextual approach and form criticism are two well-established methodologies in Biblical Studies, but the natural affinities between the two have historically gone under-appreciated. Yet the substantial reconsideration of classic tenets of form-criticism that has transpired in recent memory has further separated these two like-minded methods. Through a series of case studies that carefully consider certain Old Testament texts contextually, Silhouettes of Scripture: Considering the Contextual Approach with Form-criticism considers important methodological critiques and fuse elements of both methods in order to not only re-focus natural affinities but also more precisely define how contextual studies could proceed. Initiated by a literary trigger, Schreiner and Holland’s method navigates between what has been called "parallel-o-mania" and "parallel-anonia" to consider a range of similarities and differences in terms of broad and narrow convergences. The result is a work that not only looks upon well-known parallels with fresh eyes but also seeks to establish new trajectories.