Scripture in the World Religions: A Short Introduction

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, the author carefully explores the scriptures -written and spoken - of each, examining their interpretation, their role in devotion and education, and their relationship 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 a survey with a unique perspective on the transforming power of the spoken word, this text should be of interest to students, academics and anyone interested in the wore religions.

Harold Coward is the Director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. Author and Editor of nearly forty books, he is well-kown expert in the fields of Hinduism, philosophy and comparative religion and a Fellow of the Roya Society of Canada.