Articles – OralityTalks

Rethinking the Old Wineskins of “Academic” for the New Wine of Oral and Oral-Preference Learners

Larry W. Caldwell — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 20:11:33 +0000

For too long, the West has dominated theological education worldwide. This reality is primarily due to the West’s past centuries of colonization of the non-Western world, which has ramifications for theological education even today. In light of this continuing Western theological dominance, it is critical that the “old wineskins” of the Western academy and what it considers to be “academic” be rethought today, especially in light of the new wine of oral and oral-preference learners. This article explores such necessary rethinking in four parts. First, examining the West’s hegemony of what is considered academic today and the implications of this for theological education in the non-Western world. Second, exploring the new concept of “theological intelligence” (TQ) and its implications for other understanding of what is considered academic, especially for more orally-based pedagogical models. Third, looking at how one theological institution—Kairos University—is using Competency-Based Theological Education (CBTE) to help bridge the gap between readers and non-readers in the academy. Finally, the article concludes with recommendations for theological institutions and educators. It is hoped that this rethinking of what academics is will help theological institutions worldwide better meet the training needs of the Christian constituencies that they serve, including oral and oral-preference learners.

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Oral Hermeneutics in Theological Education

Laurence Gatawa — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 19:14:03 +0000

Oral hermeneutics provides an important framework for theological education by emphasizing the oral foundations of Scripture and their relevance in contemporary interpretation. The transmission of the Gospel began in oral form before it was written, shaping the way early communities understood and communicated biblical narratives. While Walter Ong’s Great Divide Theory distinguishes between orality and literacy, recent scholarship argues for an orality-literacy continuum, recognizing the interplay between spoken and written traditions. An oral-aural hermeneutic, informed by narrative criticism and social memory, highlights the communal and dynamic nature of interpretation. Oral performance further deepens engagement with Scripture, making its message more vivid and participatory. In the digital age, oral hermeneutics bridges traditional oral cultures with emerging technologies, enriching theological education and fostering a more rounded understanding of Scripture.

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Oral Ethics: How can Oral Hermeneutics Build a Christian Ethic?

Caroline Reel — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:27:24 +0000

Few lay Christians routinely practice the disciplines of ethics and hermeneutics confidently and appropriately. Many who have learned to practice these disciplines often leave that knowledge to gather dust between the covers of a textbook. This paper discusses how the various folklore or literary genres in the Bible are particularly suited for the study and practice of the three branches of Christian ethics. Lessons built on spiral logic or pedagogy patterns can use the genres of myth to teach meta-ethics, prescriptive narrative, and others for normative ethics, as well as descriptive narrative to teach and enact applied ethics. The practice of oral hermeneutics may pair with this course of study to deliver that ethical material from Scripture effectively to the oral majority or anyone who desires not only to learn ethics but to live them.

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Orality and the Impact of Media

William Snider — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:36:55 +0000

Orality and media intersect as digital media reshapes oral traditions and communication practices, extending reach and creating new forms of engagement. Drawing from 30 years in Asia and experience in digital ministry, this article highlights how media amplifies the Gospel by addressing orality, particularly among audiences resistant to text-based methods. Using Paul’s strategy of cultural adaptation, digital platforms emerge as “common ground” for evangelism. Media allows preservation and contextualization, enhancing storytelling and connecting to cultural practices. Practical approaches, such as local leadership training, empower communities and create lasting digital ministries adaptable to diverse cultural needs.

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Orality and Religious Media in the Digital Age

Joshua Adebayo Adesina — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:36:43 +0000

This study explores the intersection of orality and religious media in the digital landscape, focusing on how oral traditions adapt to digital platforms, the influence of digital media on religious communities, and the ethical challenges and prospects of this digital transformation. Utilizing a methodology that combines secondary data analysis of existing literature, including books, journals, and magazines, with observational research, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and trajectory of religious expression in the digital age. It reveals that while digital media offers new avenues for disseminating and preserving oral traditions, it also poses significant challenges to the authenticity and integrity of these practices. The impact on religious communities is profound, with digital media acting both as a tool for enhanced engagement and as a potential source of fragmentation. Ethical considerations arise from the digital divide and the commodification of sacred oral content. The paper identifies key trends that will shape the future of orality in religious media, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that honors tradition while embracing innovation. The findings of this study contribute to the broader discourse on digital media’s role in cultural preservation and community dynamics, offering insights for scholars, religious leaders, and media practitioners alike.

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Discipleship in Oral Preference Cultures

W. Jay Moon — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:37:04 +0000

There are many indigenous genres available that are often overlooked for discipleship in oral preference cultures. This article explores both the Sicangu Lakota Native American culture as well as the Builsa culture in Ghana, West Africa to demonstrate the value and use of indigenous symbols, rituals, dance, proverbs, songs and stories for contextualized approaches to discipleship. Drawing from various anthropological theories, examples are provided to demonstrate how these oral genres can address excluded middle issues in order to create missiological transformation. Since these indigenous genres are embedded in culture, wise disciple makers can apply this discipleship approach for the formation of cultural and biblical identity. In the process, this can help disciples overcome the common dangers of both syncretism and split-level Christianity.

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The Iron Law of Communication

Wayne Dye — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:36:38 +0000

Miscommunication is a common problem in human interaction; tragically, sometimes even the Gospel is misunderstood. The root cause of most interpersonal misunderstandings is not failure to hear words that are said but differences in the cognitive environments of the speaker and hearer. Their cognitive environments are made up of their language, culture, personal histories, and their evaluation of the immediate situation between speaker and hearer. How this happens is made clear through an example of miscommunication between two people with broadly the same background. The problem is ubiquitous; without exception, every conversation depends on an adequate match between the cognitive environments of speakers and hearers. The problem can be overcome by a combination of learning about the cognitive environment of the hearer before a conversation, two-way communication, and thoughtful listening to the hearer’s responses. It also requires building on common human experiences. Because the process of learning from stories is built on common human experiences, stories are a significant way to overcome the problem of the iron law of communication.

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The Use of Narrative in Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Joshua Adebayo Adesina, Jong Angeles and Danyal Qalb — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:35:39 +0000

This paper explores the use of Narrative in Paul’s letter to the Romans, specifically focusing on its application across diverse cultures. Biblical narratives are foundational elements for developing systematic theology and other theological reflections. These narratives unfold various characters, leading to a deeper understanding of a particular theology. For instance, Paul employs narratives from the Old Testament, such as those of Abraham and David, in his epistle to the Romans to explain his teachings on righteousness, allowing his recipients to understand his argument better. In the same way, this concept enables the incorporation of cultural narratives, facilitating a more meaningful discussion of theological concepts. This narrative approach enriches theological reflection and promotes deeper engagement with scripture among diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.

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Embraced Taboo: An Ethnoscopic Analysis of Non-monogamous Practices in Nigeria

Kehinde Seyi Ojelade — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:34:42 +0000

The widespread social acceptance of non-monogamous sexual practices among the Yoruba people in Nigeria is a key issue for Christian discipleship. Using ethnoscopic analysis, I examine how ancestral traditions perpetuate the issue. Despite its cultural entrenchment, this practice conflicts with Christian teachings on fidelity and monogamy. The paper uses Thigpen’s ethnoscopic framework to explore the discipleship issue through cultural, biblical, missional, and educational lenses. I highlight the necessity of culturally appropriate discipleship strategies and tools that fit the needs of oral learners. Ultimately, the research seeks to foster faithful Christian living that aligns with biblical principles while navigating the complex cultural landscape of Nigeria.

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Orality Missiology of Disciple Multiplication Movements: The Philippine Tentmaker Missions Story

David Lim — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 03:16:21 +0000

Abstract: Developing a robust orality missiology for the Filipino church involves a SWOT analysis after two decades of tentmaker mobilization. Strengths lie in leveraging Overseas Filipino Workers as orality missionaries, emphasizing total mobilization and disciple multiplication movements (DMM). Weaknesses include clarifying the goal of societal transformation over Christianization and exploring ecclesiological implications of House Church Networks (HCN). Opportunities arise in Insider Movements with a multicultural approach. Threats involve literate Christendom dominance. Orality missions focus on contextualized spirituality, promoting self-theologizing and seizing opportunities in Asia’s HCNs, global Kingdom Movements, post-modernity, and social media. The goal is a Company 3 strategy for effective DMMs.

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Unleashing the Power of Orality

Charles Madinger, Roce Anog-Madinger and Daniel Ponraj — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 02:51:14 +0000

Abstract: The article explores the transformative power of orality in communication, focusing on its impact in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Northern Nigeria. It defines orality conceptually, emphasizing its role in conveying shared meaning and information. The text introduces High Orality Reliance (HOR) and Low Orality Reliance (LOR) frameworks, illustrating how missionary efforts often impose LOR methods on oral cultures. It advocates for a more holistic approach, urging the integration of disciplines modeled by Jesus. The conclusion emphasizes the need for HOR training paradigms, especially in educational settings. The article calls for a culturally sensitive, orality-informed approach to communication and mission work.

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Using Oral Pedagogies to Improve Training Efficacy

Daniel Baker — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 02:16:45 +0000

Abstract: In this article, I detail my journey using ethnoscopic research to critique and improve the pedagogies typically employed in cross-cultural missions training. I use oral-based tools to present a highly efficacious discipleship strategy blueprint. These oral pedagogies are strong contenders for use among any global audience, not only those from the global south. This study focuses on the From the Nations to the Nations conference held in September of 2023 as the basis for improving cross-cultural training content and strategy. The study findings hold significance for reshaping training conferences and other teaching contexts.

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