The Oral Gospel Tradition

“Over many years Jimmy Dunn has alerted us all to the importance of taking seriously the presence of oral tradition in and behind our present Gospels. This volume provides many of his key essays on that broad topic, including a number of responses to critiques by others. As with all of Dunn’s work, the argument is invariably readable, persuasive, and compelling. This will be an invaluable resource for all those engaged in study of the Gospels, their sources, and their witness to the person of Jesus.”

Christopher Tuckett

“This book helpfully brings together a number of significant essays by a leading voice in the study of Jesus, the Gospels, and early Christian tradition. As indicated by the new and very helpful introduction, the collection not only surveys Dunn’s own voluminous work on the topic but also serves, in many respects, as a recent history of research, tracing trends in the evolution of study on the media history of early Christianity.”

Tom Thatcher

“For more than thirty-five years, James Dunn has been a leading voice in New Testament studies regarding the role of oral tradition in the formation of Gospel narratives. This volume affords Dunn the opportunity to respond to criticisms of his various proposals and so to present time-honored ideas afresh for a new generation. Anyone who seeks to understand the Gospels as a living tradition will appreciate this book and benefit from Dunn’s rich contributions to the field.”

Mark Allan Powell

“Dunn is no doubt one of the most influential New Testament scholars of our time. These collected essays of his build up an impressive view of the oral Gospel tradition. Reading them one after the other in a single volume reveals the broader corollaries of Dunn’s famous call for the altering of the default setting and makes evident its background in his lifelong research going back to his early interest in the Holy Spirit and Christian prophecy.”

Samuel Byrskog