Heschel & Biblical Criticism

In case anyone hasn't noticed, recently I've been reading through back issues of Bible studies/Jewish studies journals. I just finished an interesting article by Jon D. Levenson in AJS Review, Vol. 25, No 1. (2000- 2001), pp. 25-44, entitled Religious Affirmation and Historical Criticism in Heschel's Biblical Interpretation.

Levenson makes an interesting argument that Heschel's involvement with critical Bible studies was minimal and only served to insulate him from the charge of uncritical traditionalism. Levenson argues that Biblical criticism didn't enlighten Heschel with theological insights or compel him to deal with "difficult" passages. What makes Levenson's piece even more biting is his accusation that Heschel not only failed to unite the ancient and modern ways of approaching Tanach, but that he ignored obvious tensions between the two worlds.

Conservative Judaism is beginning to sound to be like semi-rational, but still intellectually dishonest Modern Orthodoxy. The Tanach is our ancient text, Biblical criticism is on the money. Kashya? What kashya? Of course we still need to follow halacha.... ::mumbles about divine inspiration::....