Biblical criticism is the scholarly "study and investigation of
biblical writings that seeks to make discerning judgments about these writings". Viewing biblical texts as being ordinary pieces of literature, rather than set apart from other literature, as in the traditional view, it asks when and where a particular text originated; how, why, by whom, for whom, and in what circumstances it was produced; what influences were at work in its production; what sources were used in its composition; and what message it was intended to convey. It will vary slightly depending on whether the focus is on the
Hebrew Bible, the
Old Testament, the letters of
New Testament or the
Canonical gospels. It also plays an important role in the quest for a
Historical Jesus.