How has the scholarly understanding and critical analysis of the New Testament evolved over the century spanning 1861 to 1961? Stephen Charles Neill, a prominent Anglican bishop and historian, examines the shifting methodologies and theological frameworks applied to biblical criticism. By tracing the development of historical-critical methods, the author argues that the century represents a transition from rigid dogmatic interpretation to a more nuanced, albeit complex, engagement with the text's historical context.

Scholars frequently cite this work as a standard historical overview of the development of modern biblical criticism. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which assumes a foundational knowledge of theological terminology and historical context.