What is biblical storytelling?
“Biblical storytelling is a spiritual discipline that entails the lively interpretation, expression, and animation of a narrative text of the Hebrew Bible or Christian Testament that has first been deeply internalized and is then ‘remembranced,’ embodied, breathed, and voiced by a teller/performer as a sacred event in community with an audience/congregation.”
Rev. Dennis Dewey, 2007
Is biblical storytelling something new?
Not at all! In fact, biblical storytelling comes to us from the ancient past when literature was transmitted by word of mouth and the medium used to communicate all literature, including the sacred, was storytelling. In our current time, biblical scholars studying scripture have found that much of the Bible was written to facilitate oral performance. Participating in the storytelling nature of scripture is an authentic approach for communicating our faith.
What happens in a biblical storytelling concert?
Ruth begins with a brief explanation of how and why biblical storytelling is a valid expression of our faith story. She then introduces the scripture she will be telling and provides context comments relating the scripture to the theme of the telling. Using helpful transitions, Ruth brings together biblical stories, and sometimes a related folk story, all the while inviting the audience to embrace the faith story in their own lives.
What place does biblical storytelling have in our faith life?
In her ministry, Ruth encourages everyone to learn and to tell biblical stories. As you will experience in a storytelling concert, telling biblical stories goes far beyond reciting verses from memory. When a person learns passages from scripture by heart, and studies the culture and context of the story, that person journeys on the path of relationship with the people who lived then, and with our Lord Jesus.
Why does Ruth prefer in-person performances?
The heart and soul of storytelling is a shared experience between the audience/congregation, the storyteller, and the story itself. No two storytelling events are ever the same. Recorded storytelling performances (even the brief clips on this website) do not allow people to be active participants in the storytelling occasion.
Story learning workshops, however, are more amenable to online participation. Ruth encourages anyone who has heard and enjoyed a biblical storytelling event to consider participating in a biblical story learning workshop, either in person or online.
Where and when is Ruth available?
Ruth and her husband Jim live in the Atlanta area and love to travel, often visiting family in Washington and Oregon. It is best to get in touch three months or more before a planned event.
You may also be interested in…
Story Journey: An Invitation to the Gospel as Storytelling, Thomas E Boomershine
Dr. Boomershine offers a series of Gospel stories formatted to facilitate learning by heart. Each scripture passage includes cultural context as well as suggestions for relating the story to people today.
The Bible in Ancient and Modern Media: Story and Performance, Holly E Hearnon, editor
A progression of essays from a number of biblical scholars that explore the experience of scripture in media other than silent print.
The Seeds of Christianity Series: Witness, Disciple, Apostle, Martyr, E G Lewis, audiobooks narrated by Ruth Elsbree
This well-researched historical fiction series welcomes you into the life of Rivkah the shepherdess. From the very beginning when you accompany Rivkah and her father to Bethlehem where she holds Mary’s newborn son, as she falls in love with and marries Shemu’el and they convert to the Way of Yeshua, you will absorb how life was lived in the time of Jesus – with all its challenges, sorrows, and joys.
Scripture Alive! 