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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.
List of contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Convergence of Form Criticism and the Contextual Approach
Chapter One: The Enuma Elish, the Memphite Theology, and Genesis 1: A Contextual Trialogue
Chapter Two: The Birth Narratives of Sargon, Cyrus, and Moses
Chapter Three: Torn Garments, Mourning, and History: The Historiographical Appropriation of Tearing Garments
Chapter Four: Gilgamesh, Akka, and Rehoboam
Chapter Five: Israel's Appropriation of the King List Tradition
Chapter Six: A Prototype? Comparing the Letter-prayers of Sin-iddinam and Hezekiah
Chapter Seven: Song of Songs and "Give It Away" as a Study in Contextual Difference
Conclusions and Ways Forward
Bibliography
Index
About the Authors
About the author
David B. Schreiner is an assistant professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary.
