[TBC: A new method of evangelism that minimizes the Scriptures and relies instead on what is called “Orality” is being promoted]
"The Lord is doing amazing things through the Orality Movement. In fact, ‘orality’ is the fastest growing movement in evangelism, and it is changing the face of missions around the world. The rapidly reproducing church planting movements are among oral cultures in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Increasing numbers of churches and ministries in North America are also recognizing the need for and value of ‘storying’ and other orality methods in reaching and making disciples among secondary and oral preference learners" (http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7402314260.html).
TBC: The "orality phenomenon" means using every other means except written to communicate the Gospel of God.
This ministry's promotion of "orality" denies the first tenet in their statement of faith: LWI ( Living Water International at Houston Baptist University ) Statement of Faith: “I believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God” (2 Timothy:3:15-17 [15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
).
"It is written" occurs 93 times in the KJV. The Word of God came to the prophets and apostles who wrote the original manuscripts: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
The “speaking,” however, was not the standard, for these words were immediately written down (Habakkuk:2:2And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it., Revelation:21:5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful., etc.), not "preserved" through oral tradition, which is clearly more subject to error. The integrity of the gospel cannot rely merely on "storying" the Bible.
Consider the importance that God's Word places upon the reading of the written Word: "Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.... And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears" (Jeremiah:36:10Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD's house, in the ears of all the people., 15).
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading" (Nehemiah:8:8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.).
The Lord Jesus frequently quoted the written word of God and chided His listeners for their lack of the same: "Have ye not read what David did...have ye not read in the law...?" (Matthew:12:3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;, 5); "Have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying..." (Matthew:22:31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,); "And he said unto them, have ye never read what David did..." (Mark:2:25And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?); "And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner" (Mark:12:10And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:).
Without a definitive, authoritative, error-free written record, we could never know for certain what God said. Jesus, being God incarnate, quoted Scripture and demonstrated the power of His written word in the spiritual battle against Satan. When tested in the desert, he rebuked Satan three times with the preface, "It is written...."
John summed up what he had learned from the Lord Jesus: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 John:5:13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.).
