Brevard Childs
Encyclopedia
Brevard Springs Childs was Professor of Old Testament
at Yale University
from 1958 until 1999 (and Sterling Professor
after 1992), and one of the most influential biblical scholars of the 20th century.
Childs is particularly noted for pioneering canonical criticism
, a way of interpreting
the Bible
that focuses on the text of the biblical canon
itself as a finished product. In fact, Childs disliked the term, believing his work to represent an entirely new departure, replacing the entire historical-critical method. Childs set out his canonical approach in his Biblical Theology in Crisis (1970) and applied it in Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture (1979). This latter book has been described as "one of the most discussed books of the 1980s".
Christopher Seitz argues that
Seitz has also noted that "there is a small cottage industry in evaluating the contribution of Brevard Childs."
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
from 1958 until 1999 (and Sterling Professor
Sterling Professor
A Sterling Professorship is the highest academic rank at Yale University, awarded to a tenured faculty member considered one of the best in his or her field...
after 1992), and one of the most influential biblical scholars of the 20th century.
Childs is particularly noted for pioneering canonical criticism
Canonical criticism
Canonical criticism, sometimes called canon criticism or the canonical approach, is a way of interpreting the Bible that focuses on the text of the biblical canon itself as a finished product. It has been made popular by Brevard Childs, though he personally rejected the term...
, a way of interpreting
Biblical hermeneutics
Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible. It is part of the broader field of hermeneutics which involves the study of principles for the text and includes all forms of communication: verbal and nonverbal.While Jewish and Christian...
the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
that focuses on the text of the biblical canon
Biblical canon
A biblical canon, or canon of scripture, is a list of books considered to be authoritative as scripture by a particular religious community. The term itself was first coined by Christians, but the idea is found in Jewish sources. The internal wording of the text can also be specified, for example...
itself as a finished product. In fact, Childs disliked the term, believing his work to represent an entirely new departure, replacing the entire historical-critical method. Childs set out his canonical approach in his Biblical Theology in Crisis (1970) and applied it in Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture (1979). This latter book has been described as "one of the most discussed books of the 1980s".
Christopher Seitz argues that
Professor Childs single-handedly effected major and sustained changes in the conceptual framework of modern biblical studies through appeal to the canonical presentation of biblical books and the theological implications of attending to their final form.
Seitz has also noted that "there is a small cottage industry in evaluating the contribution of Brevard Childs."
Education
- B.A., M.A. University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
- B.D. - Princeton Theological SeminaryPrinceton Theological SeminaryPrinceton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States...
(1950) - Th.D. - University of BaselUniversity of BaselThe University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
(1955)
Publications
- Biblical Theology in Crisis (1970)
- The Book of Exodus: A Critical, Theological Commentary (1974)
- Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture (1979)
- Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context (1985)
- Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments: Theological Reflection on the Christian Bible (1992)
- Isaiah: A Commentary (2001)
- The Struggle to Understand Isaiah as Christian Scripture (2004)