Jewish Oral Law and the Christian Kerygma

This book offers a profound comparative study of two foundational oral traditions that shaped Judaism and Christianity in late antiquity: the Jewish Oral Law and the Christian kerygma. Tracing their origins, structures, and modes of transmission, George Bale explores how rabbinic halakhic discourse and early Christian proclamation functioned as living, spoken traditions that preserved sacred knowledge, conferred authority, and forged communal identity in volatile historical contexts.

Delving into the formation of the Mishnah as a codification of oral Torah and the kerygma as the dynamic proclamation of Christ's death and resurrection, the work examines the intricate patterns of memorization, performance, and authority that undergirded these traditions. Through detailed analysis of legal formulations, creedal formulae, and the roles of the rabbi and apostle, the book reveals how oral instruction was a vital pedagogical and spiritual practice.

The narrative further investigates the tensions and continuities between these traditions, particularly the early conflicts between rabbinic Judaism and the Jesus movement, and their shared reliance on memory and communal performance. The transition from orality to writing in the Mishnah and the Gospels is critically assessed, highlighting how both traditions navigated the challenges of preserving the living word amid social upheaval.

Rich with historical context, theological insight, and engagement with primary sources, Jewish Oral Law and the Christian Kerygma illuminates how oral tradition remains a foundational, yet often overlooked, dimension of religious history?one that continues to shape faith, identity, and practice across centuries. This volume is essential reading for scholars and students of religious studies, history, and theology seeking to understand the enduring power of oral transmission in the world's major monotheistic traditions.