THE METHODOLOGY OF HERMENEUTICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMMES IN BIBLICAL STUDIES: SOME INSIGHTS FROM THE WORK OF IMRE LAKATOS

Abstract

This paper seeks to introduce to the biblical studies community a little-known philosopher of science and of mathematics, Imre Lakatos, with a view to showing that one can profitably apply the insights of his work on the nature of scientific research programmes to the area of evaluating the hermeneutical role of critical thinking in biblical interpretation. The work of Lakatos, as we shall note, has been suggested as a suitable framework for theological thinking by Nancey Murphy. Here I want to propose that in the field of biblical studies, a hermeneutical proposal may be considered in a parallel way to a scientific conjecture which has observable consequences. The advantage of the conceptuality offered by Lakatos, I shall suggest, is that it moves the discussion beyond matters of personal or theological preference and ingrained predilection, towards some criteria which might permit inter-subjective testing and agreement. After an introduction to the work of Lakatos, I explore some of the key areas of his thought for biblical studies, and then conclude with an example which seeks to show the benefits of this approach: a consideration of the classic theory of Pentateuchal source criticism (JEDP) and some of its strengths and weaknesses. The goal is not to uncover a hitherto neglected essential key to biblical criticism, but is the more modest attempt to suggest that in this case some inter-disciplinary borrowing might shed a little light on some familiar concerns of biblical studies methodology.