Works prior to this book focused on Bede as not only a European, but also as an English scholar, historian, scientist, or a biographer of saints, and have used a traditional approach towards his explanation of the Bible. Bede's interpretation of his work, its continuous progress, and the reasons behind his hurried appointment to an authority almost as high as the Church Fathers are all topics examined within the text. Essays are by Roger Ray, Faith Wallis, Calvin B. Kendall, George Hardin Brown, Scott DeGregorio, Arthur G. Holder, Lawrence T. Martin, Walter Goffart, and Joyce Hill.

Scott DeGregorio is Professor of Medieval Renaissance, Classical, and Biblical Literature at the University of Michigan-Deerborn. Besides Innovation and Tradition, he has also been involved with Bede: On Ezra and Nehemiah and Bede, the Monk, as Exegete: Evidence from the Commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah, among others.