LOWER CRITICISM Meaning and
Definition
-
Lower criticism, also known as textual criticism or textual analysis, is a branch of Biblical studies that focuses on the examination and evaluation of textual variants found in ancient manuscripts. It aims to determine the most accurate and original form of a written work, particularly in relation to the Bible. Lower criticism primarily deals with issues pertaining to the authenticity, authorship, textual transmission, and historical context of a given text.
This field employs various methodologies to establish the most reliable text possible. These techniques range from comparing different manuscripts, versions, and translations, to investigating early Christian writings and patristic citations, as well as other relevant historical and archaeological evidence. Scholars engaged in lower criticism scrutinize the variations in wording, style, grammar, and context within the ancient manuscripts to discern the original or earliest edition of a text.
One of the key goals of lower criticism is to reconstruct the original wording of ancient texts, including those of the Bible, by identifying and resolving discrepancies among different manuscript versions. This discipline plays a vital role in helping scholars and translators accurately interpret and understand the content, meaning, and historical context of ancient texts. While lower criticism does not delve into matters of interpretation or theology, its findings provide a crucial foundation for higher criticism, which scrutinizes the authorship, dating, and historical context of the texts in question.
In summary, lower criticism is a scholarly discipline that aims to establish the most accurate and original form of ancient texts, particularly those of the Bible, through the meticulous analysis of textual variants and the application of various critical methodologies.
Common Misspellings for LOWER CRITICISM
- kower criticism
- power criticism
- oower criticism
- liwer criticism
- lkwer criticism
- llwer criticism
- lpwer criticism
- l0wer criticism
- l9wer criticism
- loqer criticism
- loaer criticism
- loser criticism
- loeer criticism
- lo3er criticism
- lo2er criticism
- lowwr criticism
- lowsr criticism
- lowdr criticism
- lowrr criticism
Etymology of LOWER CRITICISM
The term "lower criticism" is derived from the field of biblical studies, specifically textual criticism.
The word "lower" in this context does not refer to status or rank, but rather to the Latin word "littera" meaning "letter". Thus, "lower criticism" is concerned with the examination and analysis of the individual letters, words, phrases, and textual variants within the biblical text.
This branch of textual criticism aims to establish the most reliable and accurate version of the biblical text by comparing different manuscript versions, considering linguistic and grammatical features, and investigating the historical context and cultural influences on the text. The term "lower criticism" is often contrasted with "higher criticism", which focuses on questions of authorship, dating, and overall interpretation of the text.
Similar spelling word for LOWER CRITICISM
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
