Perceptions of Tradition (Jessi Orpana)

The term "tradition" is currently one of the key terms employed in biblical studies, yet what is meant by it is rarely discussed. This thematic issue is meant to provide an impetus for a wider discussion concerning this term and its application. The five contributions offer perceptions on tradition from the viewpoint of different subfields of biblical studies. They draw attention to the diverse aspects of tradition both through practical case studies and more theoretical discussions concerning the nature of tradition and the elemental role of transmission in its preservation. While the contributions discuss sources from the scriptural law codes up to the Sibylline Oracles, they share and reflect a perception of tradition as something multifaceted that is constantly changing, fluid, and dynamic. This challenges a perception of tradition as somehow static, fixed, and immutable.