I’m looking for a resource that discusses the topic of oral transmission. These early Christian writings would have been rather simple, nothing like the elaborate Gospels that followed. Simply a compilation of a few proverbs and recollections on whatever paper was available and with whatever degree of writing ability the few movement members could muster. Plato argues that one should record one’s thoughts in written form to “treasure up reminders for when (one) comes to the forgetfulness of old age” [from Epistles, Plato]. John appears to have been composed based on his sermons. According to John 21, this disciple—the one whom Jesus loved—is the one who attests to these things and penned them down. We [perhaps the Ephesian elders] are aware that his testimony is accurate." "Writing them down" does not mean putting pen to paper. Although Paul is said to have written numerous letters, it is known that he dictated a large number of them to a disciple. The Gospel of John appears to have been the same. The gospel is attributed to the Apostle John, even though it's possible that he did not pen it down. I am primarily interested in the New Testament before they were written down and the way the Johannine Literature was recepted. I have read the following: A New Perspective on Jesus: What the Quest for the Historical Jesus Missed (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology) by James D. G. Dunn and From Good News to Gospels by David Wenham but not much on the side of John's writings. Any thoughts?
