Method Matters

As the field of biblical studies expands to accommodate new modes of inquiry scholars are increasingly aware of the need for methodological clarity. David L. Petersens teaching research and service to the guild are marked by a commitment to such clarity. Thus in honor of Petersens work a cohort of distinguished colleagues presents this volume as an authoritative and up-to-date handbook of methods in Hebrew Bible scholarship. Readers will find focused discussions of traditional and newly emerging methods including historical criticism ideological criticism and literary criticism as well as numerous case studies that indicate how these approaches work and what insights they yield. Additionally several essays provide a broad overview of the field by reflecting on the larger intellectual currents that have generated and guided contemporary biblical scholarship.The contributors are Yairah Amit Pablo R. Andiach Alan J. Avery-Peck John Barton Bruce C. Birch Susan Brayford William P. Brown Walter Brueggemann Mark K. George William K. Gilders John H. Hayes Christopher B. Hays Ralph W. Klein Douglas A. Knight Beatrice Lawrence Joel M. LeMon Christoph Levin James Luther Mays Dean McBride Carol A. Newsom Kirsten Nielsen Martti Nissinen Gail R. ODay Thomas Rmer C. L. Seow Naomi Steinberg Brent A. Strawn Marvin A. Sweeney Gene M. Tucker and Robert R. Wilson.