Sacred Texts Interpreted: Religious Documents Explained [2 volumes]

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Covering the major monotheistic religionsChristianity, Judaism, and Islamas well as selected Eastern religions and Bah', Zoroastrianism, and Mormonism, this cross-cultural book offers excerpts of sacred texts and interprets passages to enable a deeper understanding of these religious writings. Sacred Texts Interpreted: Religious Documents Explained gives readers the opportunity to examinedirectlythe primary sources of different religions and to better understand these texts through expert commentary on selected passages. The interpretative material investigates the nature of sacred texts along with the relationship between sacred scripture and canon, and it explains why these sacred texts have enduring significance and influence. The author provides suggestions on how to read a sacred text before turning to the textual selections from 13 religious traditions arranged alphabetically, beginning with the Bah' religion and ending with Zoroastrianism. Each chapter is devoted to the primary textual sources of a particular religious tradition and is prefaced by an introduction to the literature that places it within its historical and cultural heritage. The emphasis for each religion is on its foundational scriptures that are often considered sacred by its adherents. Readers will gain a much greater appreciation of how powerful religious texts have always been across human culture and throughout millenniaand of how religious thought and ideology have shaped daily life, built civilizations, inspired art and literature, and incited wars and violence.

Reviews

Overview essays, 'Introduction to Sacred Texts' and 'The Art of Reading Sacred Texts,' as well as remarks on the writings themselves, serve as both a starting point for readers learning about different religious traditions and a model for how to interpret intelligently other passages. VERDICT Many readers will value this unique resource, including undergraduate students of comparative religion and general readers interested in the topic. * Library Journal *
[T]he set can function as an introduction to prominent religious traditions and their corresponding texts, and offers a basic understanding of sacred text development and interpretation. Summing Up: Recommended. * Choice *

Author Bio

Carl Olson is professor of religious studies at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. He has published 18 books as well as numerous essays in journals, books, and encyclopedias.