Solomon Schechter's Higher Criticism-Higher Antisemitism and Wellhausen's Prolegomena: A Historical Examination

Lieve M. Teugels

doi:10.5117/NTT2025.3.003.TEUG

Solomon Schechter's Higher Criticism-Higher Antisemitism and Wellhausen's Prolegomena: A Historical Examination

Lieve M. Teugels

Old Testament / Judaism

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In 1903, the famous Jewish scholar Solomon Schechter articulated his
belief that Higher Bible Criticism was not merely a scholarly endeavor
but a tool that could fuel antisemitism. Higher Criticism as a scientific
method for the study of the Hebrew Bible had originated in Germany in
the nineteenth century and was mostly practiced by Protestant scholars.
The name most associated with Higher Criticism is Julius Wellhausen
whose work Prolegomena to the History of Israel (1883) is indeed laced with
supersessionist and openly anti-Jewish remarks. Jewish scholars of the
so-called Wissenschaft des Judentums objected to Higher Criticism as they
felt that the Christians had “stolen the Bible” from the Jews. Yet there were
also Jewish scholars of that day who were attracted to some of Wellhausen’s
ideas, such as his predilection for the prophetic voice in the Bible.

Originele taal-2	English
Pagina's (van-tot)	279-299
Aantal pagina's	20
Tijdschrift	NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion
Volume	79
Nummer van het tijdschrift	3
DOI's	https://doi.org/10.5117/NTT2025.3.003.TEUG
Status	Published - 1 aug 2025
Evenement	Van theologische Jood naar Joodse Theologie: Over het belang van de Joodse Studies aan een Protestantse Theologische Universiteit - Pieterskerk, Utrecht Duur: 3 jun 2025 → 3 jun 2025

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10.5117/NTT2025.3.003.TEUGLicentie:

2025_Schechter-Wellhausen_NTT2025.3.003.TEUGFinal published version, 220 KBLicentie:

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Christian antisemitic images and ideas and their biblical sources
Teugels, L. (PI)
1/03/24 → 31/12/24
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title = "Solomon Schechter's Higher Criticism-Higher Antisemitism and Wellhausen's Prolegomena: A Historical Examination",

abstract = "In 1903, the famous Jewish scholar Solomon Schechter articulated his belief that Higher Bible Criticism was not merely a scholarly endeavor but a tool that could fuel antisemitism. Higher Criticism as a scientific method for the study of the Hebrew Bible had originated in Germany in the nineteenth century and was mostly practiced by Protestant scholars. The name most associated with Higher Criticism is Julius Wellhausen whose work Prolegomena to the History of Israel (1883) is indeed laced with supersessionist and openly anti-Jewish remarks. Jewish scholars of the so-called Wissenschaft des Judentums objected to Higher Criticism as they felt that the Christians had {\textquotedblleft}stolen the Bible{\textquotedblright} from the Jews. Yet there were also Jewish scholars of that day who were attracted to some of Wellhausen{\textquoteright}s ideas, such as his predilection for the prophetic voice in the Bible.",

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AU - Teugels, Lieve M.

PY - 2025/8/1

Y1 - 2025/8/1

N2 - In 1903, the famous Jewish scholar Solomon Schechter articulated his belief that Higher Bible Criticism was not merely a scholarly endeavor but a tool that could fuel antisemitism. Higher Criticism as a scientific method for the study of the Hebrew Bible had originated in Germany in the nineteenth century and was mostly practiced by Protestant scholars. The name most associated with Higher Criticism is Julius Wellhausen whose work Prolegomena to the History of Israel (1883) is indeed laced with supersessionist and openly anti-Jewish remarks. Jewish scholars of the so-called Wissenschaft des Judentums objected to Higher Criticism as they felt that the Christians had “stolen the Bible” from the Jews. Yet there were also Jewish scholars of that day who were attracted to some of Wellhausen’s ideas, such as his predilection for the prophetic voice in the Bible.

AB - In 1903, the famous Jewish scholar Solomon Schechter articulated his belief that Higher Bible Criticism was not merely a scholarly endeavor but a tool that could fuel antisemitism. Higher Criticism as a scientific method for the study of the Hebrew Bible had originated in Germany in the nineteenth century and was mostly practiced by Protestant scholars. The name most associated with Higher Criticism is Julius Wellhausen whose work Prolegomena to the History of Israel (1883) is indeed laced with supersessionist and openly anti-Jewish remarks. Jewish scholars of the so-called Wissenschaft des Judentums objected to Higher Criticism as they felt that the Christians had “stolen the Bible” from the Jews. Yet there were also Jewish scholars of that day who were attracted to some of Wellhausen’s ideas, such as his predilection for the prophetic voice in the Bible.

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KW - Antisemitism

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KW - Protestant

KW - Jewish

U2 - 10.5117/NTT2025.3.003.TEUG

DO - 10.5117/NTT2025.3.003.TEUG

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EP - 299

JO - NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion

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IS - 3

Y2 - 3 June 2025 through 3 June 2025

ER -

Solomon Schechter's Higher Criticism-Higher Antisemitism and Wellhausen's Prolegomena: A Historical Examination

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Projecten

Christian antisemitic images and ideas and their biblical sources

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