Richard Simon and the beginnings of Old Testament criticism

Abstract

Introductions to the Old Testament usually devote a little space to the history of Criticism. In these historical summaries there is sometimes found a passing reference to Richard Simon, a French Roman Catholic priest of the late Seventeenth Century, and more rarely, to his book, "Histoire Critique du Vleux Testament"Only in the most recent Introductions is it suggested that Simon had concerned himself with anything more than a few critical remarks on the composition of the Pentateuch. Beyond this little seems to be known of him.To anyone sufficiently curious to enquire further Into the work and importance of Richard Simon a very wide field opens. In this thesis, therefore, I have limited my subject to a consideration of his work on the Old Testament, with particular reference to his most important book, "Histoire Critique du Vleux Testament".In the earlier chapters, after outlining the scientific movement of the Seventeenth Century, In which setting Simon is to be seen, being as much a pioneer in 2. the new approach to the science of Criticism as many of his contemporaries were in other fields, I have given a brief resume' of his life up to the time of the attempted publication of his book and its suppression.Following these chapters, I have outlined the history of Criticism before Simon with particular reference to Capellus and Spinoza.The central chapter, on the contents of the Histolre Critique, has, for the sake of convenience, been divided into sections. Here the method adopted has been to summarise, but In some detail, the views of Simon on particular subjects, with comments added and a comparison made, in some cases, with the modern position. It will be observed that Ms views do not have an uniform value, but for a true assessment of Ms work even those views which to-day seem wrong or even ridiculous must be Included. I have not, however, considered it necessary to point out every case where such errors occur as they will be sufficiently obvious in themselves.The controversies aroused by the Histoire Critique were also of very great importance and, in Chapter 7 I have given in greatest detail those with Le Glerc and Du Pin. These, in my opinion, are the most important. In them can be seen the emergence of other theories regarding the composition of the Pentateuch and in Simon's replies the interesting question arises of whether his own views on this subject were changing.I have included a chapter which summarises the remainder of Simon's life and gives some idea of his other work, so that the extent and influence of his writing may be more readily seen.Lastly, in the Conclusion, I have suggested answers to the questions which have arisen in the preceding chapters and I have given my estimate of his contribution to Old Testament Criticism.