7
cannot be repeated, the message will undoubtedly be altered.18 Even Ehrman admits that the
point of the game is to corrupt the message because if it was not, “the game would be a bit
pointless.”19
For Williams a better example of the way oral
tradition would have been transmitted is the way
that Karate is passed on.20 It is taught from teacher
to student or from father to son and has been
done in this way for centuries. Williams points out
that it is rare that anyone questions the authenticity of the way the Martial Art is passed on.21
This is because the transmitters of the teachings of Karate are methodical, meticulously passing
on what they have been taught.22 This, for Williams, is much more indicative of the oral
transmission of the Jesus tradition by the early Christians.
Mark Goodacre also thinks that the telephone game is a poor way to show how the oral
gospel message was transmitted.23 For Goodacre, the problem lies in the analogy’s assumption
of the linearity of oral transmission.24 The analogy projects a pristine original gospel message
that was corrupted as it traveled linearly from teller to hearer.25 Goodacre thinks of the early
oral message traveling more through congregations and communities, being delivered as
sermons and with careful thought and consideration.26 Goodacre cites Paul’s letters, which
18
Ibid.
Ehrman, 147.
20
Williams.
21
Ibid.
22
Ibid.
23
Goodacre Podcast.
24
Ibid.
25
Ibid.
26
Ibid.
19