Scripture In The World Religions A Short Introduction

Book Summary

From the Torah to the Qur'an, the New Testament to the Theravada canon, this concise introduction to scripture in the world religions offers a thorough evaluation of the sacred word and its role in religious tradition. In a systematic and accessible analysis of six major faiths, Harold Coward carefully explores the scripture - written and spoken - of each, examining their interpretation, their role in devotion and education, and their relationships with each other. Key areas covered include what makes a sacred text - what the different religions call "scripture" the lives of the ancient scribes and the rituals governing their work revelation, reception and transmission of the holy word materials and methods from papyrus and palm leaves to printing language, mantra and sacred sound Combining an authoritative survey with a unique perspective on the transforming power of the spoken word, this lively and engaging text is essential reading for students, academics and anyone interested in the world religions. About Author: Harold Coward is the Director of the Centre fro Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. Author and editor of nearly forty books, he is well-known expert in the fields of Hinduism, philosophy and comparative religion and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

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