1. Review the “Cornell Notes”.

2. Then read “Sacred Scripture” e-lecture

3. Complete Cornell notes on “Sacred Scripture” e-lecture and submit.

E-Lecture: Sacred Scripture

E-Lecture: Sacred Scripture

Using the Term Scripture

The world’s great religions believe in both inspired text(s) and bodies of literature that came after the sacred texts as having authority (the Hadith, the Oral Torah, the Mencius).

Because most religions have a sacred text and other literature that is considered authoritative, is the term scripture a term that can be used for all the great religions universally?

Scripture is a written text and the term is derived from the Latin scriptura, or “a writing.” The sacred texts in most religions were originally passed on both orally and through writing.

But to use the term ‘oral scripture’ would be inaccurate since the term ‘scripture’ means written text. So, despite the problems of using scripture as a universal term, scholars agree that it is the best term to use to convey the idea of a body of sacred, authoritative and normative texts, whether they are transmitted orally or through writing. The Pervasive Role of Sacred Scripture

Most literate societies have a body of sacred literature, although the number, literary genres and authority of these texts vary. For example, some sacred texts are to be recited in their original language while others are made up of a variety of literary styles and translated into many languages.

Religious books vary in how authoritative they are- which directly impacts how they make certain behaviors and values normative within the community. Canonical authority refers to how authoritative the books are. Some religions take their sacred texts to literally be the word of God, while others believe the texts were inspired by god (s). Hinduism has the most elastic boundaries when it comes to their sacred texts.

Some Distinctive Features of Sacred Scripture

When sacred texts achieve a normative or canonical status they share certain features across religious disciplines.

• Sacred scripture possesses a quality of sacred power and becomes an object of reverence and veneration.
• Sacred scripture is thought to have a transformative effect. The hearing of the sounds or the reading of the text is thought to help transform the believer in a more devout follower.
• Sacred scripture is thought to be eternal and unchanging. The text is believed to be inspired and as such, is not open to change and adjustments.

In this way, within the world’s great religions, sacred scripture is thought to be powerful and to provide the best way to live one’s life.

The Authority and Canonicity of Scripture

Holy scriptures are authoratative for the community and are set apart from profane texts.

The term canon is from the Greek term kanon and refers to a measuring rod. Thus, the sacred writings are a measure of how to live a pious life. Often, scriptures are slow to achieve canonical authority and this happens over years of consensus, usually as the sacred scriptures go from being passed on orally to being written down.

There are also levels of authority that are given to text within a canon. Not all writings hold the same authority, as is evident in Islam. The Qur’an is considered the most authoritative, as it is believed to be a work that was orally dictated to Muhammad through the Archangel Gabriel and is considered the word of God. Muslims also follow Hadith, which are the prophet Muhammad’s teachings and practices that were written down after his death. The Hadith is considered authoritative, but not as authoritative as the Qur’an.

Review in detail the other examples of Judaism and Christianity that are given on p. 113-116.

The Uses of Scripture

Sacred scriptures are used in a variety of ways by the followers within a religious community, however there are broad patterns of the use of scripture across the religions of the world.

• Scripture is used for instruction and education
• Scripture is used for public worship and ritual (review this section for this week’s discussion topic) p.118-121
• Scripture is used for meditation and devotion
• Scripture is sometimes the object of religious devotion
• Scripture is used in transactional and magical ways and is often thought to possess sacred power

The Interpretation of Scripture

Every sacred scripture requires interpretation. Hermeneutics is concerned with the rules of interpretation. Scriptures need to be interpreted because:

1. scripture is written and passed on in human language. Since language is human it is subject to cultural and historical influences, meaning it conveys certain meanings that are tied to the period of time and culture that it was written in. The reader of scripture should familiarize his/herself with the culture and meaning of words that were used during the time of the writings because words and meanings change over time.
2. scripture can have competing or contradictory stories, morals, etc. within it, most likely because many texts are compiled over time and by various authors.
3. scripture can possess a variety of literary styles and possible meanings. By interpreting the many styles and possible meanings, clarity may be achieved.
4. scripture must be made relevant to contemporary followers. By interpreting their meaning, it can be relateable and “brought home” for those who are using ancient scripture to guide their modern lives.