theology – OralityTalks

A Theology of Orality for the Global Church: Recovering God’s Narrative Revelation

Cleber Paula Santos — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:45:26 +0000

In many parts of the world, people engage in the truth primarily through story, relationship, and shared experience rather than through abstract concepts or written texts. Yet much of Christian theology and discipleship continues to rely on frameworks shaped by Western, text-centered assumptions. This creates a growing gap between how the gospel is communicated and how it is understood and lived in oral-preference and hybrid contexts.

This article argues that orality should not be treated merely as a communication strategy, but as a theological reality rooted in the nature of divine revelation. Drawing from biblical theology, narrative epistemology, and intercultural missiology, it demonstrates that God reveals Himself through story, relational interaction, and communal participation.

Grounded in a recent discipleship experience with an Indigenous community in the Xingu region of Brazil, this study shows how engaging Scripture through chronological storytelling and repeated reflection can lead to deep theological understanding. In this context, the doctrine of the Trinity was not received as abstract information but as lived and meaningful truth expressed within the community’s own cultural framework.

The article concludes by exploring practical implications for discipleship, Bible translation, and theological formation. It suggests that when theology is communicated in ways that align with oral patterns of knowing, it becomes more easily remembered, embodied, and shared. Recovering a theology of orality enables the church to participate more faithfully in God’s ongoing work of forming and sending His people.

Connecting Points: Bridging the Orality Gap to Minds and 💞

Tara Rye — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 01:28:34 +0000

Madinger, C., & Qalb, D. (Eds.). (2025). Connecting points: Bridging the orality gap to minds and (Vol. 1). OralityResources.International. ISBN 978 621 96888 3 3.

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.

Read the related article.

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

Resources

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.

Resources

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.

Watch the related webinar presentation.

Character Theology: Engaging God through His Cast of Characters

Maria Angelica de Vera — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:19:31 +0000

Steffen, T. A., & Neu, R. (2024). Character theology: Engaging God through his cast of characters. Pickwick Publications. ISBN 978-1-6667-7857-1.

Check out Tom Steffen going through some of this book’s content in this webinar recording.

Narrative Theology: Discovering God’s Great Story

Tom Steffen — Thu, 09 May 2024 05:41:34 +0000

Tom Steffen discussed Narrative Theology, emphasizing the importance of viewing Scripture as a collection of stories that shape our understanding of God. He explored different theological perspectives and the impact of oral and written mediums on interpreting Scripture. The narrative approach aims to provide a holistic understanding of God’s message, challenging traditional views of Scripture.

Steffen also touched on the evolution of theological movements and the significance of incorporating storytelling in theological studies. Ultimately, he advocated for embracing the narrative elements of the Bible to gain a deeper insight into God’s intentions and teachings.

Daniel, Jay, and Joshua followed up with a discussion of Paul’s approach to narrative theology in the letter to the church in Rome. Charles Madinger brought it all together and challenged the participants to apply it in their respective ministries.

Read the related journal article and Tom’s book, Narrative Theology, and its accompanying review.

Check out further resources about narrative theology and download the slides used in the presentation at OralityResources.International.

Resources

Check out more resources on Narrative on GOMAP and corresponding training materials at Orality.Academy.