OralityTalks

Oral Hermeneutics?

Charles Madinger — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 06:06:00 +0000

This issue of Orality Talks Journal explores a holistic approach to hermeneutics, moving beyond the Western grammatical-historical method. Biblical interpretation originally engaged all senses, reflecting God’s communication. The articles challenge dominant epistemologies and advocate for inclusive methods.

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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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Exegeting Orality: Interpreting the Inspired Words of Scripture in Light of Their Oral Traditional Origins

Janet Stahl — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:35:27 +0000

Nick Acker, an OT scholar, explores new discoveries in oral traditions and identifies several commonly used rhetorical features, such as repetition of themes, catchwords, patterns, and activation. He then demonstrates the recognition of these features in a text to help in the interpretation of portions of Judges, Habbakuk, the synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, and portions of Paul’s epistle to the Romans.

Acker, N. (2024). Exegeting orality: Interpreting the inspired words of scripture in light of their oral traditional origins. Wipf & Stock. ISBN 978 1 6203 2942 9.

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Mission Publishing Frontiers

Malele Ngalu and Romerlito Macalinao — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 07:54:19 +0000

In this webinar, Dr. Malele Ngalu and Dr. Romerlito Macalinao discuss some of the challenges and opportunities for publishers in the digital age. This age requires and enables us to upgrade our strategies and platforms to maintain relevance and increase our reach.

Check out further resources about orality in publishing at OralityResources.International.

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Holistic Hermeneutics: Interpreting Scripture in Light of Oral Tradition

Joshua C. Frost — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 01:51:12 +0000

Joshua emphasized the significance of understanding the role of emotions in Bible interpretation. He discussed the emotional aspects of a biblical passage, the importance of understanding character emotions, and the challenges of interpreting emotions across different cultures.

Check out further resources about orality in holistic hermeneutics at OralityResources.International.

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Orality in Theological Education: Addressing 21st-Century Challenges

Laurence Gatawa and Larry W. Caldwell — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 02:56:43 +0000

Our speakers, Larry Caldwell and Laurence Gatawa, made a compelling case for the use of orality in theological education. Laurence focused on the need to teach oral hermeneutics, while Larry emphasized the need for Bible schools and seminaries to adopt competency-based curricula that focus on transforming lives and serving the church.

Check out Larry’s article and Laurence’s article.

Check out further resources about orality in theological education at OralityResources.International.

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Intro to Orality in Digital Media and Arts

Danyal Qalb — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:37:37 +0000

Orality, digital media, and the arts are vital for sharing the Good News, echoing how God uses artistic expressions. Digital media empowers oral-preference communicators to engage without relying on text-based learning. This OTJ issue highlights insights from media and art experts, with practical examples from Southeast Asia and Africa, and concludes with interviews showcasing the transformative power of orality.

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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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More Local Ways for Praise: Local Arts for Mission & Ministry

Younhee Deborah Kim — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:36:31 +0000

The Gospel is a message that must be delivered in ways that resonate with diverse cultural backgrounds. This article explores how local arts provide a powerful and beautiful medium for conveying the Gospel across varied cultures, reaching people’s hearts through familiar expressions. It also introduces the role of ethnodoxology, which aids in understanding how Christians engage with God through their own cultural expressions. Ethnodoxologists encourage the use of local arts as a language of worship that aligns with biblical principles and deepens cultural connections. Through case studies from Africa, Asia, and Europe, this article demonstrates how Christians can foster unique local artistic expressions to enrich worship and encourage people to see their cultural heritage as a means of connecting with the gospel message.

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