Reading Critical Commentaries

I spent part of the day with one of the highest rated critical commentary on Matthew. Reading Critical Commentaries are not easy, they are mostly technical and boring, but it is necessary and I must say there is some value to a student of the Word. However, in reading them you must read with care. Critical Scholars have certain tendencies that one should be aware of as he reads. I have found:

• Some have “a priori” denial of the historical reliability of the Biblical record.
• Some have “a priori” denial of the supernatural based upon rationalism and naturalism to explain the supernatural.
• Some downgrade tradition and church history as mostly superstition.  
• Some make light of or deny the authority of Scripture. They reject inerrancy and question the Divine inspiration of Scripture.

Not all critical scholars have these prejudices in whole or part, but generally they have some part of these tendencies. One needs to be aware and read with a watchful eye to separate the wheat from the chaff.