The Lost Art of Scripture: Rescuing the Sacred Texts - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0345812344 ISBN 13: 9780345812346

Synopsis

In this timely and important book, one of the world's leading commentators on religious affairs examines the lost art of Scripture as a medium to lift humanity and change our perception of reality while evading logical explanation. Today the Quran is used by some to justify war and acts of terrorism, the Torah to deny Palestinians the right to live in the Land of Israel, and the Bible to condemn homosexuality and contraception. The significance of Scripture--the holy texts at the centre of all religious traditions--may not be immediately obvious in our secular world but its misunderstanding is perhaps the root cause of most of today's controversies over religion. In this timely and important book, one of the world's leading commentators on religious affairs examines the meaning of Scripture. Today holy texts are not only used selectively to underwrite sometimes arbitrary and subjective views: they are seen to prescribe ethical norms and codes of behaviour that are divinely ordained--they are believed to contain eternal truths. But as Karen Armstrong shows in this fascinating trawl through millennia of religious history, this peculiar reading of Scripture is a relatively recent, modern phenomenon--and in many ways, a reaction to a hostile secular world. For most of their history, the world's religious traditions have regarded these texts as tools for the individual to connect with the divine, to transcend their physical existence, and to experience a higher level of consciousness that helped them to engage with the world in more meaningful and compassionate ways. Scripture was not a "truth" that had to be "believed." Armstrong argues that only if the world's religious faiths rediscover such an open and spiritual engagement with their holy texts can they curtail the arrogance, intolerance and violence that flows from a narrow reading of Scripture as truth.

About this title

Review

PRAISE FOR FIELDS OF BLOOD: RELIGION AND THE HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

"Epic in scale . . . a comprehensive and erudite study of the history of violence in relation to religion . . . Armstrong leads readers patiently through history. . . . Her writing is clear and descriptive, her approach balanced and scholarly. . . . An intriguing read, useful resource and definitive voice in defense of the divine in human culture." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Armstrong again impresses with the breadth of her knowledge and the skill with which she conveys it to us." --Booklist (starred review)

"Provocative and supremely readable . . . the comparative nature of [Armstrong's] inquiry is refreshing. . . . Bracing as ever, [she] sweeps through religious history around the globe and over 4,000 years to explain the yoking of religion and violence and to elucidate the ways in which religion has also been used to counter violence." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Mind-boggling . . . We feel we are in the hands of an expert. Armstrong is doing us a great service." --The Guardian

"A vast overview of religious and world history, sketching the early evolution of all global faiths. . . . Armstrong denounces authoritarian secularism with eloquent passion . . . [and] does a good job of explaining why people who are deeply invested in traditional beliefs and social systems feel threatened and inclined to fight back."--The Economist

"This is a powerful book, highly intelligent and relevant in these days of conflict between east and west." --The Sun Times (Owen Sound)

"Karen Armstrong has written a finely wrought book, packed with information and guaranteed to spark stimulating conversations." --World Magazine

About the Author

KAREN ARMSTRONG is one of the world's leading commentators on religious affairs. She spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, but left her teaching order in 1969 to read English at St Anne's College, Oxford. In 1982, she became a full time writer and broadcaster. She is a bestselling author of over 16 books on religious affairs, including A History of God, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, The Case for God, and The Great Transformation, as well as a memoir, The Spiral Staircase. Her work has been translated into 45 languages. A passionate campaigner for religious liberty, Armstrong has addressed members of the United States Congress and the Senate and has participated in the World Economic Forum.

Edition details

• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0345812344
• ISBN 13: 9780345812346
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 624