Description
Book SynopsisThe concept of 'scripture' as written religious text is re-examined in this analysis of the traditions of oral use of the sacred writings of religions. William Graham asserts the need for a new perspective on how scripture has been appropriated by religious people who could neither read nor write.
Trade Review'Graham's recovery of the oral\aural tradition … is a model of scholarly precision and richly suggestive for other, related investigations … A compelling case for reassessing Christianity's dependence on the written text.' The Christian Century
'This book presents a lot of material that would have been beyond the ability of ordinary students of the history of religion to assemble, and it raises a subject that has been ignored for a very long time.' The Expository Times
'Well written for both graduate and undergraduate use.' Religious Studies Review
Table of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. Of Written and Spoken Words: 1. Writing and written culture; 2. The print textuality of modern culture; 3. Books, reading and literacy in the premodern west; Part II. Of Written and Spoken Scripture: 4. Scripture in Judeo-Christian perspective; 5. Holy writ and holy word; 6. Scripture as spoken word: the Indian paradigm; Part III. 'An Arabic Reciting': Qur`an as Spoken Book: 7. Revelation and recitation; 8. Muslim scripture as spoken word; 9. Voicing the Qur`an: questions of meaning; Part IV. 'The Lively Oracles of God': Bible as Spoken Word: 10. The spoken word of Christian holy writ; 11. God's word in the desert; 12. Hearing and seeing: the rhetoric of Martin Luther; Conclusion.
