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

For too long, critical biblical studies have applied modern textual assumptions to ancient oral cultures. Exegeting Orality challenges many of these modern approaches, distilling decades of studies in oral traditions to redirect pastors and scholars toward a more accurate narrative of biblical origins, identity, and meaning. Many works in the area of orality, textuality, performance criticism, and media studies focus on critical issues. Exegeting Orality guides pastors and scholars through a brief introduction to these fields, emphasizing biblical inspiration, interpretation, and proclamation. This work honors the rich oral traditional foundations of the inspired canon, urging a transformative shift in how we interpret the Bible. The stories we believe define us. The Bible is not just a text to be studied but a record of voices from the past who performed our definitive stories. The Bible is a tradition to be reproclaimed and reenacted in the community of faith. Let us not recast these ancient voices into modern epistemological molds without letting them speak from within their own cultural realities. Their voices still call out to us through the abiding Holy Spirit who connects us all to the story of Jesus. May we live out that ancient story today together.

Nick Acker has served in pastoral ministry for twenty years while working on his MDiv and PhD. He currently serves as copastor at Grace Church in Ventura, California. Nick is an adjunct faculty member with Stark College and Seminary and a resident fellow at B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary. He finds his greatest purpose and joy in his wife and three children.

Paul Rhodes Eddy is Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has coauthored and edited a number of books, including The Jesus Legend: A Case for the Historical Reliability of the Synoptic Jesus Tradition; Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology; and The Historical Jesus: Five Views.