Definitions for "Higher criticism"
Criticism which includes the study of the contents, literary character, date, authorship, etc., of any writing; as, the higher criticism of the Pentateuch. Called also historical criticism.
Study of the Bible’s development by the isolation of the sources embedded within it (see " source criticism"), the distinct types of materials represented, the redactors (q.v.) who combined them, etc.
the scientific study of biblical writings to determine their origin and meaning