If scholars are correct that the Pentateuch is a composite work that evolved over time how does that knowledge affect your view of the work's authenticity and religious authority?

If the scholars are correct it totally destroys the authenticity and authority of the work, since much of it is therefore not true as stated.

Answer

In the scriptures itself it is written that "all scripture is inspired by God," meaning that regardless of who wrote it or when, the content was given by God to the writer. For instance, the Pentateuch includes Genesis, and which one of us was there to write it? It's either a total fabrication or it was truly conveyed by God to the author.

Answer

As suggested above, Genesis stands apart within the Pentateuch as a work with which Moses was not personally involved. Nowhere in Genesis is Moses even mentioned, although the work has been attributed to him. Many now understand that Moses was likely the final editor of information which he collected from previous generations. Since writing was in existence for centuries before Abraham, many consider him as a likely source for much of the information.

None of this, in relation to Genesis, contradicts anything in the text itself, since the text is silent on this issue. The case of course is different with the other works, since Moses was a direct participant in much of what occurred.

If the contention that the Pentateuch is a composite work does not contradict data within the work itself, this contention is valid. However such a claim usually includes ideas which flatly contradict what the work itself states. The data of Archaeology also contradicts the claims made as it tends to support authorship by Moses.

So the claims made by scholars are generally shown to be incorrect when compared to the mass of data supporting authorship by Moses. If the scholars were to be correct it would greatly degrade the value of the work as a reliable source of information.