The Wellhausen Theory

1. The Wellhausen Theory Presented by Aspirant, Edward Jules Boustany

2. Focused on the Pentateuch • The Pentateuch Greek word meaning = 5 books • The first 5 books of the Bible – Old Testament • Genesis • Exodus • Leviticus • Numbers • Deuteronomy

3. Who wrote the Pentateuch? • The Pentateuch is also known as: • The “Torah” – Hebrew • and … “The 5 books of Moses”

4. Mosaic Authorship • For almost two thousand years Christians, Jews and other faithful have accepted Mosaic Authorship of the Pentateuch. • Today, Christian Churches and conservative seminaries continue to teach that Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament. • However, in the late 1700’s, some critics began to refute this belief. They proposed that the Pentateuch was a compilation of works from a variety of sources, and not a single author. • Then, and still today, many that hold this scientific view reject the notion of Supernatural Revelation, thus they attempt to reduce the Pentateuch to a combination of historic facts, mixed with folklore or Hebrew storytelling.

5. “Documentary Theory” or“Source Criticism” It has been noted that throughout the Pentateuch there are several replications, contradictions and variations in writing styles, that would not be consistent with single authorship: • Two separate creation stories in Genesis • Different names for God – “Yahweh” & “Elohim” • Moses’ account of his own death in Deuteronomy The “Documentary Theory” or “Source Criticism” was developed by critics to scientifically explain the reason for these inconsistencies in the Pentateuch.

6. “Documentary Theory” or“Source Criticism” • Remember Kerygma? • Greek meaning – preaching, proclaiming, spreading of news via… Oral Tradition • Critics of Mosaic Authorship base their theories in part upon the Kerygma or verbal passing of information between the generations. They believe this led to the creation of the various “Source Documents”, drafted at different times from which the Pentateuch was compiled.

7. The Four “Source Documents” The Four Source Documents are called by their first letters: • “J” Source or “Yahwist” Strand • The “J” is from the German “Jahve”, “Jahweh” or “Jaweh” • “E” Source or “Elohist” Strand • “P” Source or “Priestly” Strand • “D” Source or “Deuteronomy” Strand

8. The Development of the four Source Documents • 1753– French physician Jean Astruc began the modern study of Source Criticism. He noted the use of two names for God in Genesis, “Yahweh” and “Elohim”. He concluded that the use of two names must have been reflective of two different sources used by Moses to write Genesis. Note: This theory still concurred with Mosaic Authorship. • 1780 – Johann Eichhorn, a German, applied Astruc’s theory to the entire Pentateuch and formalized the initial two source documents of “J” and “E”. • 1805– Wilhem De Wette, proposed that none of the Pentateuch was written before the reign of David, so he introduced the “D” source. • 1853– Hermann Hupfeld divided the “E” source due to significant changes he noted in writing styles. The latter division became the “P” document.

9. Enter Wellhausen… Julius Wellhausen • A German bible scholar who lived from 1844 to 1918. • 1878 - published a work which developed a history of how each of the four Source Documents came to be. • He integrated this historical timeline with the stylistic findings of his predecessors, Astruc, Eichhorn, De Wette, and Hupfeld. • The more refined work became what is known as… The Wellhausen Theory

10. Diving into the Documents… • Yahwist or “J” Source • Location / Tradition: Southern Kingdom of Judah • Tribes = Judah and Benjamin • Time: During the Reign of Solomon... • …960 – 925BC • ≈950 BC – “J” Source was written. • Characteristics: • Called “Yahwist” because people knew God as “Yahweh”. • Marvelous Storytelling; vivid imagery; use of foreshadowing. • Utilizes Anthropomorphism • God presented with Human characteristics. • Stresses the blessing of God’s people. • Shows man living on familiar terms with God and meeting Him in everyday life. • God is very forgiving, often renews His blessing.

11. Diving into the Documents… • Elohist or “E” Source • Location / Tradition: Northern Kingdom of Israel • Time: After the Kingdom Divided... • …922BC • ≈750 BC – “E” Source was written. • Characteristics: • Called “Elohist” because “Elohim” was used for God’s name. • Addressed moral interests and questions. • Avoided Anthropomorphism • Represented God as different from man; and removed/separated from man. • Emphasized a fear of God and man’s living in awe of God. • Rooted in prophetic tradition. • Emphasized prophets instead of kings and priests.

12. Diving into the Documents… • Deuteronomy or “D” Source • Location / Tradition: Northern Kingdom with Southern Kingdom influences • Time: During the Assyrian Conquest of Babylon... • …722BC • …721-650BC – “D” Source was assembled. • Characteristics: • Named Deuteronomy or “Second Law” – Greek. • Developed to address poor faith practices in Judah. • Emphasized Obedience and faithfulness. • Emotional writing style with numerous repetitions. • Places the Lord as sole God of Israel and they are the chosen people . • States God has given His chosen people land on the condition they remain faithful to Him. • States that it is in the Liturgy that the people remember and understand the word of God.

13. Diving into the Documents… • Priestly or “P” Source • Location / Tradition: Southern Kingdom of Judah • Time: During the Babylonian Conquest/Captivity... • …597BC – 1st Deportation • …587BC – 2nd Deportation; time of “P” Source • Characteristics: • Called “Priestly” because priests are attributed to having assembled it. • Very dry writing style using figures, lists and genealogy. • Filled with the laws and traditions of the Jerusalem priesthood (contains the Book of Leviticus). • Emphasizes Priesthood as an essential institution. • Gives Worship a place of pride. • God’s plans and events are often repeated. • Laws are put into a narrative form and attached to historical events to give them significance.

14. Bringing it all together… Fusing the four Sources into one Pentateuch! Prior to 722BC – “J” & “E” Sources are separate. “J” Source in the Southern Kingdom / “E” Source in the North

15. Bringing it all together… Fusing the four Sources into one Pentateuch! What happened in 722BC?

16. Bringing it all together… Fusing the four Sources into one Pentateuch! Prior to 722BC – “J” & “E” Sources are separate. “J” Source in the Southern Kingdom / “E” Source in the North 722BC – Assyrian Conquest of the North. Migration to the South, bringing the “J” with it = “J,E”

17. Bringing it all together… Fusing the four Sources into one Pentateuch! What happened in 539BC?

18. Bringing it all together… Fusing the four Sources into one Pentateuch! Prior to 722BC – “J” & “E” Sources are separate. “J” Source in the Southern Kingdom / “E” Source in the North 722BC – Assyrian Conquest of the North. Migration to the South, bringing the “J” with it = “J,E” 539BC – Persia’s King Cyrus defeats Babylon Babylonian Exile – “P” Source fused into “J&E” = “J,E,P” 400BC – Pentateuch reaches its final form. “D” Source appended to the end of other Sources = “J,E,P,D”

19. Conclusions… There are arguments to support Wellhausen: • Duplications / Repetitions • Style Changes • Inconsistencies There are arguments to refute the theory as well: • No actual documents to validate the “Sources”. • Inflexibility of opinions indicates a lack of objectivity. • The Bible itself assumes Mosaic authorship • Numerous Old & New Testament passages referencing Moses as author. (Exodus 34:27, Romans 10:5, John 7:19) It is a theory we must be informed about in the event we are ever questioned or challenged!