Source Criticism
Source Criticism is a method used in the study of texts, particularly historical and religious documents, to evaluate their origins and authenticity. It involves analyzing the authorship, context, and purpose of a text to determine its reliability. Scholars look for biases, influences, and the historical background that may affect the content.
This approach is especially important in fields like Biblical Studies, where understanding the different sources that contributed to a text can reveal insights about its meaning and significance. By examining various manuscripts and their transmission, researchers can better understand how interpretations may have evolved over time.