From the Torah to the Qur'an, the New Testament to the Thervada canon, this concise introduction to scripture in the world religions offers a thorough evaluation of the scared world and its role in religious tradition. In a systematic and accessible analysis of six major faiths, Harold Coward carefully explores the scriptures- written and spoken- of each, examining their interpretation, their role in devotion and education, and their relationships with each other. Key areas include: * What makes a scared text - what the different religions call 'scripture' * the lives of the ancient scribes and the rituals governing their work * revelation, reception and transmission of the holy word * materials and methods: from papyrus and palm leaves to printing * language, mantra and sacred sound Combining an authoritative aurvey with a unique perspective on the transforming power of the spoken word, this lively and engaging text is essential reading for students, academics and anyone interested in the world religions.