How Can I Determine the Bias and Background of an Author?

Authors of reliable sources come from many different religious and cultural backgrounds. We want to be aware of these factors as we read and analyze an author’s work. As easy as it is to categorize authors into various “camps” of bias and background, by doing this we neglect to see the myriad similarities between such groups and the possible differences within a single group. Here are four tips on how to determine an author’s perspective:

1. Examine key parts of the book, such as the preface, introduction, conclusion, bibliography, and index. Look at the terminology the author uses – if a key term is missing from the index, that may point towards the author’s theological bias.
2. Check scholarly journals (found in Covenant’s library on in an online database) for reviews of the book or article in question. If you are looking at a more recent source, and a review is unavailable, check for reviews of the author’s previous works.
3. Look to see who published the book or article. Some publishers only produce works that have a particular perspective, while others are broader.
4. As always, you can always ask a librarian to help you find more information about the source.

Once you have determined the bias and background of an author, it is helpful to contrast it with other perspectives on the topic. In producing a solid argument on a topic, you want to consider all sides of the argument, showing where authors agree and disagree, and where your conclusions fit into that discussion. The best academic papers demonstrate an ability of communicating within the existing discussion, not just using sources that support what you already believe.