Religious text
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They often feature a compilation or discussion of beliefs, ritual practices, moral commandments & laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and admonitions for fostering a religious community.
Within each religion, these sacred texts are revered as authoritative sources of guidance, wisdom, and
Authority of religious texts
The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification, enforcement, and its use across generations. Some religious texts are accepted or categorized as canonical, some non-canonical, and others extracanonical, semi-canonical, deutero-canonical, pre-canonical or post-canonical.[4]
"Scripture" (or "scriptures") is a subset of religious texts considered to be "especially authoritative",
In some religions (e.g.
In
Religious texts also serve a ceremonial and liturgical role, particularly in relation to sacred time, the liturgical year, the divine efficacy and subsequent holy service; in a more general sense, its performance.[citation needed]
Etymology and nomenclature
According to Peter Beal, the term scripture – derived from "scriptura" (Latin) – meant "writings [manuscripts] in general" prior to the medieval era, then became "reserved to denote the texts of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible".
Some religious texts are categorized as canonical, some non-canonical, and others extracanonical, semi-canonical, deutero-canonical, pre-canonical or post-canonical.
History of religious texts
One of the oldest known religious texts is the
There are many possible dates given to the first writings which can be connected to Talmudic and Biblical traditions, the earliest of which is found in scribal documentation of the 8th century BCE,[31] followed by administrative documentation from temples of the 5th and 6th centuries BCE,[32] with another common date being the 2nd century BCE.[32] Although a significant text in the history of religious text because of its widespread use among religious denominations and its continued use throughout history, the texts of the Abrahamic traditions are a good example of the lack of certainty surrounding dates and definitions of religious texts.
High rates of mass production and distribution of religious texts did not begin until the invention of the printing press in 1440,[33] before which all religious texts were hand written copies, of which there were relatively limited quantities in circulation.
See also
References
- ^ Charles Elster (2003). "Authority, Performance, and Interpretation in Religious Reading: Critical Issues of Intercultural Communication and Multiple Literacies". Journal of Literacy Research. 35 (1): 667–670., Quote: "religious texts serve two important regulatory functions: on the group level, they regulate liturgical ritual and systems of law; at the individual level, they (seek to) regulate ethical conduct and direct spiritual aspirations."
- ^ Eugene Nida (1994). "The Sociolinguistics of Translating Canonical Religious Texts". TTR: Traduction, Terminologie, Rédaction. 7 (1). Érudit: Université de Montréal: 195–197., Quote: "The phrase "religious texts" may be understood in two quite different senses: (1) texts that discuss historical or present-day religious beliefs and practices of a believing community and (2) texts that are crucial in giving rise to a believing community."
- S2CID 144691132.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-567-12419-7.
- ^ Charles Elster (2003). "Authority, Performance, and Interpretation in Religious Reading: Critical Issues of Intercultural Communication and Multiple Literacies". Journal of Literacy Research. 35 (1): 669–670.
- ISBN 978-1-894667-41-8.
- ^ a b The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2009). Scripture. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
- ISBN 978-1-4514-2015-9.
- ISBN 978-0-521-44820-8.
- ^ Eugene Nida (1994), The Sociolinguistics of Translating Canonical Religious Texts, vol. 7, pp. 194–195
- JSTOR 1464202.
- ISBN 978-0-521-44820-8.
- JSTOR 43710550.
- ^ Qazi, M. A.; El-Dabbas, Mohammed Saʿid (1979). A Concise Dictionary of Islamic Terms. Lahore, Pakistan: Kazi Publications. p. 65.
- ^ a b Brown, Rethinking Tradition in Modern Islamic Thought, 1996: p.7
- ^ Abou El Fadl, Khaled (22 March 2011). "What is Shari'a?". ABC Religion and Ethics. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ "What is the Difference Between Quran and Sunnah?". Ask a Question to Us. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
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- ISBN 978-0-567-12419-7.
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- S2CID 163898367.
- .
- ISBN 9780292719323.
- ISBN 978-0-19-953836-2.
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- ISBN 978-1-84779-607-3
- ISSN 2331-1886.
- ^ "The Yahwist". Contradictions in the Bible. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ ISBN 9780198032236.
- ^ "The History Guide". www.historyguide.org. Retrieved 6 December 2016.