Chapter 5 Oral Traditions and Legend Making - Historical Concerns

Critics of the New Testament have for many years said that oral communities like those of the early followers of Christ had little interest in historical accuray. However, those who research orally oriented communities are finding out that this idea is not necessarily true. They find that oral cultures usually had strong interest in historical accuracy especially when the tradition is linked to the identiy of the community. It seems that those responsible for the traditions are just as concerned about accuracy as modern day historians. In fact some feel that the history preserved orally may be more accurate than what is written down by modern day historians. Knowing that early Christian communities relied on oral traditions should not make us doubt the accuracy of what was recorded about Jesus, instead it should give us greater confidence that was later recorded in the gospels is true.