Following Jesus: Making Disciples of Primary Oral Learners (CD)

by Avery T. Willis Jr.

Where did we get the notion that literacy is a prerequisite to understanding the Bible?

International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767, 2002, $59.95.

—Reviewed by Allan Starling, assistant executive director of Gospel Recordings.

Where did we get the notion that literacy is a prerequisite to understanding the Bible?

Avery Willis states categorically, “The gospel hasn’t gotten to half the world because we are using literate methodology that is normal to us but abnormal to the people we are trying to reach.” Dr. Willis and a panel of seven communicators discuss a well structured program for communicating biblical truth to primary oral learners. Appropriately, this presentation is not in book form, but on a series of six audio CDs of approximately one hour each. The panel discussion format makes for easy listening, especially while commuting, which is how I reviewed it!

Dr. Willis claims that seventy percent of the world does not learn by literate means, but communicates in oral ways. The panel explains the concept of orality and shows that primary oral learners and literates think in different ways. They discuss worldview and how to study it. This includes the way people understand concepts and the values that form the background of their group. Next they use cultural examples to show how oral people respond to a message from someone with a literate method of preaching. The audience may understand the words, but not the concept and thus reject the message.

We are introduced to the chronological oral Bible and to storying— concepts that help to reach unreached people groups and start churchplanting movements.

A ten-step process for communicating a biblical truth to oral learners starts with identifying the principle you want to communicate and ends with encouraging the group to reproduce this by telling the stories to others.

The panel answers questions like: How can a non-reader obtain a daily intake of the word? What are the differences between oral learners and literate learners? How large is this audience? Can oral people read pictures? What about biblical integrity amongst people who cannot read?

The assertion that only 2,500 languages and dialects have some Scripture is inaccurate, as Gospel Recordings has made audio recordings in over 5,500. Apart from that, the facts are clear and accurate; the content is new and dynamic; and the concepts call for action.

Check these titles:
Malmstrom, Marilyn. 1991. My Tongue is the Pen: How Audiocassettes Can Serve the Nonreading World. Dallas, Tex.: SIL.

Thompson, Phyllis. 1964. Faith by Hearing. Temecula, Calif.: Gospel Recordings.

Copyright © 2003 Evangelism and Missions Information Service (EMIS). All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from EMIS.

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