I.    Introduction

The Pentateuch is really a single work in 5 volumes, not a collection of 5 different books.

Pentateuch is one term for 5 books.

II.    JEDP:  A History of Source Criticism

See Appendix B: The Composition of the Pentateuch

Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918) in 1877 made the classic expression of the basic theory in the book Prolegomena zur Geschichte Israels, he followed the evolutionary concept of Hegel, J.W. is the “father of the documentary hypothesis”; denied that the religion of the patriarchs was monotheistic.

J:  950 B.C., E to 850 B.C., P at 586-536 B.C. or 500-450 B.C.

III.    Wellhausen’s Weaknesses

A.  Bias—no such thing as supernatural revelation

B.  The evidence of the text is evaded when it contradicts the theory

C.  Hebrew authors incapable of using . . .

         1.  More than one name for God
         2.  More than one style of writing
         3.  More than one word for a single idea
         4.  More than one theme

D.  Heathen sources and critical theories given priority over the biblical text

E.  Israelite religion a product of evolution, but monotheistic from start to finish

F.  Manipulation of the text into a “discrepancy” without an attempt to reconcile (attitude), e.g., the order of creation

G.  Date the composition of the text and emend the text freely 3,400+ years after the event

H.  No textual (manuscript) evidence for the theory

IV. Mosaic Authorship

A. Pentateuch says Moses wrote it

    Exod. 17:14, 24:4,7, 34:27
    Num. 33:1-2
    Deut. 31:9,11

B. The Rest of the OT Agrees

    Josh. 1:7-8, 8:31-32
    1 Kings 2:3
    2 Kings 14:6, quoting Deut. 24:16
    2 Kings 21:8
    Ezra 6:18
    Neh. 13:1
    Dan. 9:11-13
    Mal. 4:4

C. The NT Agrees

    Matt. 19:8
    Mark 12:26
    John 5:46-47, 7:19
    Acts 3:22, quoting Deut. 18:15
    Rom. 10:5, quoting Lev. 18:5

D. Other Internal Evidences

    1.  Eyewitness details in the Exodus account
    2.  Thorough acquaintance with Egypt
    3.  Author of the Torah uses a non-Palestinian viewpoint
    4.  Atmosphere of Exodus-Numbers is the desert
    5.  References to archaic 2nd millennium B.C. customs
    6.  Archaisms in the language
    7.  A remarkable unity of arrangement

E. Moses’ Qualifications

    1.  His education—able to write well
    2.  Knowledge of climate, agriculture, & geography
    3.  The incentive as the founding father of Israel
    4.  He had the time (40 years)
    5.  Eyewitness experience
    6.  A natural leader
    7.  The hand of God in his life
    8.  Receipt of oral (written) traditions about the patriarchs

Link to Study Questions

Link to Map Requirements