From the Torah to the Qur'an, the New Testament to the Theravada canon, this concise introduction to scripture in the world religions offers a thorough evaluation of the sacred word and its role in religious tradition. IN a systematic and accessible analysis of six major faiths, the author carefully explores the scriptures -written and spoken - of each, examining their interpretation, their role in devotion and education, and their relationship with each other, Key areas covered include: what makes a sacred 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 a survey with a unique perspective on the transforming power of the spoken word, this text should be of interest to students, academics and anyone interested in the wore religions.