What Is Scripture?: A Comparative Approach (Political Thought)

About this book

"Scripture" is no longer an absolute. In the last two centuries as Westerners have become more keenly conscious of the flatly historical character of their own biblical documents they have also realized the normative function of scripture in other traditions. W. C. Smiths vastly erudite work asks how it is that certain texts have so seeped into human life - in a rich complex and powerful way - as to be deemed sacred. Examining the history and use of scripture in the worlds major religious traditions he shows how and why scripture continues to carry momentous and at times appalling power in human affairs. In the end Smiths creative proposal is valuable not only for showing what it means to hold a text as sacred or to treasure anothers scripture but also for the light it sheds in a troubled culture on what it means to be human.