Die Mündlichkeit der Schrift

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Does the Bible tell us what we already know, or is it merely a collection of irrelevant ancient stories? This paper explores the dual nature of the Bible as both strange and familiar. The interplay of written and oral forms is crucial in Martin Luther's justification of Scripture's authority and in the discussions at the Trient Council regarding "Scripture and Tradition." Luther's focus on the Gospel's originally "oral" quality, as expressed through Scripture, highlights its role as both a proximate and distant Word of God. As an oral word, Scripture retains its divine nature, with its author maintaining interpretative authority over the "text," thus making it a foreign word. Yet, as an oral word, it also addresses our contemporary circumstances, revealing God as Immanuel, the God who is with us. This examination underscores the complex relationship between Scripture and its audience, suggesting that the Bible remains relevant and speaks to our lives today. The author completed this work for their doctoral dissertation in 2018.