Scriptures, ABA-DAM
Sacred scriptures of all religions, viewed as the word of God or inspired by God, have influenced the moral and ethical standards of countries, peoples, and religious groups. Their interpretation has long been a subject of discussion and, at times, controversy.
Scriptures Encyclopedia Articles By Title
Abaddon
Abaddon, the angel of the bottomless pit, referred to in the Revelation to John. John Milton extended the meaning......
Abhidhamma Pitaka
Abhidhamma Pitaka, the thirdāand historically the latestāof the three ābaskets,ā or collections of texts, that......
Abhidhammattha-sangaha
Abhidhammattha-sangaha, a highly popular primer, or digest, of the Abhidhamma corpus (the scholastic section of......
Abhidhammavatara
Abhidhammavatara, the earliest effort at systematizing, in the form of a manual, the doctrines dealt with in the......
Abhidharmakosha
Abhidharmakosha, encyclopaedic compendium of Abhidharma (scholasticism). Its author, Vasubandhu, who lived in the......
Abhisamayalambkaraloka
Abhisamayalambkaraloka, important contribution to exegetical literature on the Prajnaparamita- (āPerfection of......
Acts of the Apostles
Acts of the Apostles, fifth book of the New Testament, a valuable history of the early Christian church. Acts was......
Adam and Eve, Life of
Life of Adam and Eve, pseudepigraphal work (a noncanonical writing that in style and content resembles authentic......
Adi Granth
Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of Sikhism, a religion of India. It is a collection of nearly 6,000 hymns of the......
Adonijah
Adonijah, in the Old Testament, the fourth son of David, the natural heir to the throne. Davidās favourite wife,......
Agama
Agama, post-Vedic scripture conveying ritual knowledge and considered to have been revealed by a personal divinity.......
Ahikar, The Story of
The Story of Ahikar, folktale of Babylonian or Persian origin, about a wise and moral man who supposedly served......
Akedah
Akedah, referring to the binding of Isaac as related in Genesis 22. Abraham bound his son Isaac on an altar at......
amen
amen, expression of agreement, confirmation, or desire used in worship by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The basic......
American Bible Society
American Bible Society (ABS), international agency under lay control, formed in New York in 1816 as a union of......
AmitÄyur-dhyÄna-sÅ«tra
AmitÄyur-dhyÄna-sÅ«tra, (Sanskrit: āDiscourse Concerning Meditation on AmitÄyusā), one of three texts basic to Pure......
Amos, Book of
Book of Amos, the third of 12 Old Testament books that bear the names of the Minor Prophets, collected in one book......
angel and demon
angel and demon, respectively, any benevolent or malevolent spiritual being that mediates between the transcendent......
Annunciation
Annunciation, in Christianity, the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive......
Antichrist
Antichrist, the polar opposite and ultimate enemy of Christ. According to Christian tradition, he will reign terribly......
ApadÄna
ApadÄna, collection of legends about Buddhist saints, one of the latest books in the latest section (the Khuddaka......
Aparimitayus-sutra-shastra
Aparimitayus-sutra-shastra, in Buddhism, a short treatise (shastra) on the Aparimitayus-sutra, one of the major......
apocalypse, four horsemen of the
four horsemen of the apocalypse, in Christianity, the four horsemen who, according to the book of Revelation (6:1ā8),......
apocalyptic literature
apocalyptic literature, literary genre that foretells supernaturally inspired cataclysmic events that will transpire......
apocrypha
apocrypha, (from Greek apokryptein, āto hide awayā), in biblical literature, works outside an accepted canon of......
Apopis
Apopis, ancient Egyptian demon of chaos, who had the form of a serpent and, as the foe of the sun god, Re, represented......
Apostlesā Creed
Apostlesā Creed, a statement of faith used in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant churches. It is......
Apostolic Constitutions
Apostolic Constitutions, largest collection of ecclesiastical law that has survived from early Christianity. The......
Aranyaka
Aranyaka, a later development of the Brahmanas, or expositions of the Vedas, which were composed in India in about......
archangel
archangel, any of several chiefs, rulers, or princes of angels in the hierarchy of angels of the major Western......
Aristeas, Letter of
Letter of Aristeas, pseudepigraphal work of pseudo-history produced in Alexandria, probably in the mid-2nd century......
Ark of the Covenant
Ark of the Covenant, in Judaism and Christianity, the ornate, gold-plated wooden chest that in biblical times housed......
Armageddon
Armageddon, (probably Hebrew: āHill of Megiddoā), in the New Testament, place where the kings of the earth under......
Arpad
Arpad, ancient city in northwestern Syria. Arpad is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament and in Assyrian texts.......
Asmodeus
Asmodeus, in Jewish legend, the king of demons. According to the apocryphal book of Tobit, Asmodeus, smitten with......
Athanasian Creed
Athanasian Creed, a Christian profession of faith in about 40 verses. It is regarded as authoritative in the Roman......
atthakatha
atthakatha, commentaries on the Pali Buddhist canon that provide much information on the society, culture, and......
AvadÄna
AvadÄna, legendary material centring on the Buddhaās explanations of events by a personās worthy deeds in a previous......
Avatamsaka-sutra
Avatamsaka-sutra, voluminous Mahayana Buddhist text that some consider the most sublime revelation of the Buddhaās......
Avesta
Avesta, sacred book of Zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and liturgy, the teachings of the prophet......
Azariah, The Prayer of
The Prayer of Azariah, apocryphal insertion into The Book of Daniel in the Greek (Septuagint) Bible and subsequently......
Azazel
Azazel, in Jewish legends, a demon or evil spirit to whom, in the ancient rite of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement),......
Azrael
Azrael, in Islam, the angel of death who separates souls from their bodies; he is one of the four archangels (with......
aį¹
gÄ
aį¹
gÄ, any of several categories into which Buddhist canonical writings were divided in early times, beginning before......
Babel, Tower of
Tower of Babel, in biblical literature, construction project in the land of Shinar (Babylon) that, according to......
Babylonian Talmud
Babylonian Talmud, second and more authoritative of the two Talmuds (the other Talmud being the Jerusalem Talmud)......
Baraita
Baraita, any of the ancient oral traditions of Jewish religious law that were not included in the Mishna (the first......
Bardo Thƶdol
Bardo Thƶdol, in Tibetan Buddhism, a funerary text that is recited to ease the consciousness of a recently deceased......
Barnabas, Letter of
Letter of Barnabas, an early Christian work written in Greek by one of the Apostolic Fathers (Greek Christian writers......
Baruch, Apocalypse of
Apocalypse of Baruch, a pseudepigraphal work (not in any canon of scripture), whose primary theme is whether or......
Baruch, Book of
Book of Baruch, ancient text purportedly written by Baruch, secretary and friend of Jeremiah, the Old Testament......
Bay Psalm Book
Bay Psalm Book, (1640), perhaps the oldest book now in existence that was published in British North America. It......
Beelzebub
Beelzebub, in the Bible, the prince of the devils. In the Old Testament, in the form Baalzebub, it is the name......
Behemoth
Behemoth, in the Old Testament, a powerful, grass-eating animal whose ābones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like......
Bel and the Dragon
Bel and the Dragon, Greek apocryphal addition to the biblical Book of Daniel. It is a deuterocanonical work in......
Bethel
Bethel, ancient city of Palestine, located just north of Jerusalem. Originally called Luz and in modern times Baytin,......
BhadracaryÄ-praį¹idhÄna
BhadracaryÄ-praį¹idhÄna, (āPractical Vows of Samantabhadraā), a MahÄyÄna (āGreater Vehicleā) Buddhist text that......
Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita, an episode recorded in the great Sanskrit poem of the Hindus, the Mahabharata. It occupies chapters......
Bhagavata Purana
Bhagavata Purana, one of the most celebrated texts of Hindu sacred literature in Sanskrit, of paramount importance......
bhanavara
bhanavara, any of the units, usually 8,000 syllables in length, into which Pali Buddhist texts were divided in......
Bianzong lun
Bianzong lun, treatise by Xie Lingyun, an early Chinese Buddhist intellectual and renowned poet, valued chiefly......
Bible
Bible, the sacred scriptures of Judaism and Christianity. The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament and......
biblical canon
biblical canon, collection of sacred texts of Judaism and Christianity which, after being determined either by......
Biblical criticism
Biblical criticism, discipline that studies textual, compositional, and historical questions surrounding the Old......
biblical literature
biblical literature, four bodies of written works: the Old Testament writings according to the Hebrew canon; intertestamental......
- Introduction
- Theology, Prophecy, Poetry
- Old Testament, Canon, Versions
- Torah, Prophets, Writings
- Christian Canon, Old Testament, New Testament
- Texts, Versions, Canon
- Deliberate Changes
- Qumran Texts, Scrolls
- Early Versions, Translations, Canon
- Origen's Hexapla, Bible Translation, Septuagint
- Versions, Translations, Canon
- Translations, Versions, English
- Translation, Coverdale, Bible
- King James, Versions, Translations
- RSV, Canon, Interpretation
- New King James, Bible Versions, Translations
- Medieval, French, German
- Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese
- Slavic Versions
- Non-European Versions
- Exodus, Conquest, Moses
- Divided Monarchy, Restoration, Prophets
- Babylonian Exile, Restoration
- Old Testament, Hebrew Bible, Canon
- Documentary, JEDP, & Source
- Patriarchal Narratives, Genesis, Abraham
- Exodus, Moses, Israelites
- Tabernacle, Instructions, Rituals
- Holiness Code, Leviticus, Laws
- Wanderings, Paran, Exodus
- Deuteronomy, Introduction, Laws
- Deuteronomy, Lawbook, Conclusion
- Nevi'im, Prophets, Scriptures
- Conquest, Canaan, History
- Deuteronomic Theology, History, Covenant
- Judges, Authority, Leadership
- Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah
- Samuel, Israel, Saul
- Prophet, Israel, Judges
- Saul, Kingship, Israel
- Early Reign, Monarchy, Israel
- Kings, Solomon, Reign
- Kings, Successors, Israel
- Prophecy, Miracles, & Exile
- Elisha, Prophecy, Miracles
- Isaiah, Prophecy, Poetry
- Deutero-Isaiah, Prophecies, Hope
- Prophecy, Poetry, & Parables
- Prophecy, Poetry, Parables
- Amos, Hosea, Micah, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah
- Prophecy, Social Justice, Israel
- Amos, Hosea, Micah, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah
- Ketuvim, Poetry, Prose
- Psalms, Poetry, Devotion
- Wisdom, Parables, Poetry
- Job, Poetry, Wisdom
- Megillot, Scrolls, Poetry
- Lamentations, Jeremiah, Poetry
- Prophecy, Exile, & Visions
- Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles
- Intertestamental, Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha
- Persian, Hellenistic, Influences
- Judith, Apocrypha, Heroine
- Ahikar, Wisdom, Parables
- Greek Additions, Esther
- Wisdom, Proverbs, Psalms
- Pseudepigraphal, Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls
- Paralipomena, Jeremiah, Prophecy
- Apocalyptic, Eschatological, Prophecy
- Apocalyptic, Prophecy, Esdras
- Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, & Enoch
- Qumran, Dead Sea Scrolls
- New Testament, Canon, Versions
- Canonization, Texts, History
- Canons, Texts, History
- Canon, 4th Century, Bible
- Writing Materials, Methods
- Critical Scholarship
- Uncials, Manuscripts, Texts
- Minuscules, Textual Criticism, Canonization
- Versions, Translations, Canon
- Textual Criticism, Canonization, Translations
- New Testament, History, Gospels
- Pharisees, Judaism, Scriptures
- Greco-Roman World, 1st Century AD
- Gospels, Parables, Miracles
- Gospels, Epistles, Apocrypha
- Form Criticism
- Synoptic Problem, Gospels, Sources
- Synoptic Gospels, Parables, Parables
- Gospel of Mark, Unique Structure
- Gospel, Matthew, Parables
- Luke, Parables, Parables of Jesus
- Fourth Gospel, John, Gospel
- Gospel, Parables, Miracles
- Acts, Apostles, Christianity
- Acts, History, Christianity
- Pauline Letters, Epistles, Scripture
- Paul, Romans, Salvation
- Paul, Corinthians, Faith
- Paul, Corinthians, 2nd Letter
- Paul, Galatians, Christianity
- Paul's Epistle, Faith, Salvation
- Paul, Philippians, Joy
- Paul, Colossians, Epistle
- Thessalonians, Paul, Epistles
- Pastoral Letters, Timothy, Titus
- Paul, Philemon, Epistle
- Hebrews, Epistle, Faith
- Catholic Letters, Epistles, Pauline
- 1 Peter, Epistles, Christianity
- Theology, Authorship, & Canon
- Revelation, Apocalyptic, Prophecy
- Authorship, Style, Canon
- Apocrypha, Gospels, Epistles
- Gospels, Parables, Parables
- Liturgy, Canon, Texts
- Canon, Interpretation, Catholicism
- Exegesis, Hermeneutics, Criticism
- Critical Methods
- Literary Criticism, Canon, Texts
- Exegesis, Criticism, Hermeneutics
- Hermeneutics, Interpretation, Exegesis
- Moral Interpretation
- Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Interpretation
- Exegesis, Hermeneutics, Judaism
- Medieval, Canon, Interpretation
- Patristic Period, Canonization, Interpretation
- Reformation, Canon, Texts
- Canon, Criticism, & Interpretation
Biblical source
Biblical source, any of the original oral or written materials that, in compilation, came to constitute the Bible......
Biblical translation
Biblical translation, the art and practice of rendering the Bible into languages other than those in which it was......
Bkaā-āgyur
Bkaā-āgyur, the collection of Tibetan Buddhist sacred literature representing the āWord of the Buddhaāāas distinct......
Book of Common Order
Book of Common Order, first Reformed manual of worship in English, introduced to the English congregation in Geneva......
Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer, liturgical book used by churches of the Anglican Communion. First authorized for use in......
book of hours
book of hours, devotional book widely popular in the later Middle Ages. The book of hours began to appear in the......
Brahmana
Brahmana, any of a number of prose commentaries attached to the Vedas, the earliest writings of Hinduism, explaining......
breviary
breviary, liturgical book in the Roman Catholic Church that contains the daily service for the divine office, the......
British and Foreign Bible Society
British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS), first Bible society in the fullest sense, founded in 1804 at the urging......
Bstan-āgyur
Bstan-āgyur, the second great collection of Buddhist sacred writings in Tibet, comprising more than 3,600 texts......
Buddhacarita
Buddhacarita, poetic narrative of the life of the Buddha by the Sanskrit poet Ashvaghosha, one of the finest examples......
Bundahishn
Bundahishn, (Pahlavi: Original Creation), Zoroastrian scripture giving an account of the creation, history, and......
Caedmon manuscript
Caedmon manuscript, Old English scriptural paraphrases copied about 1000, given in 1651 to the scholar Franciscus......
Capernaum
Capernaum, ancient city on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Israel. It was Jesusā second home and,......
Chaldea
Chaldea, land in southern Babylonia (modern southern Iraq) frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Strictly......
cherub
cherub, in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic literature, a celestial winged being with human, animal, or birdlike......
Christianity
Christianity, major religion stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus of Nazareth (the Christ, or......
- Introduction
- Beliefs, Practices, History
- Medieval, Reformation, Views
- Beliefs, Practices, History
- Faith, Doctrine, Identity
- Origins, Expansion, Reformation
- Jesus, Early Church, Intentions
- Gentile Mission, St. Paul, Apostles
- Faith, Doctrine, Worship
- Church History, Doctrine, Practices
- Scripture, Authority, Interpretation
- Heretical Movements, Gnosticism, Arianism
- Roman Govt, Hellenistic Culture
- Early Liturgy, Calendar, Arts
- Church, Empire, Alliance
- 4th, 5th Century, Controversies
- Liturgy, Arts, Constantine
- East-West Relations, Politics, Religion
- Dark Ages Art, Lit.
- Missions, Monasticism, Faith
- Photian Schism, East-West Schism
- Schism, Reformation, Doctrine
- Reformation, Globalization, 21st Century
- Denominations, Beliefs, Practices
- Eastern Churches, Orthodoxy, Catholicism
- Reformation, Denominations, Doctrine
- Presbyterian, Reformed, Churches
- Doctrine, Beliefs, Practices
- Scripture, Tradition, Apostolic
- Evangelism, God, Jesus
- Catechesis, Baptism, Instruction
- Liturgy, School, Feast
- Obeying Truth, Morality, Ethics
- Aversion, Orthodoxy, Heresy
- Apologetics, Defending, Faith
- Language, Knowledge, Beliefs
- Inculturation, Respect, Peoples
- Dogma, Authority, Teaching
- Consensus, Agreement, Doctrine
- Theology, Loving, Mind
- Symbols, Creeds, Confessions
- Development, Maturation, Understanding
- Schism, Division, Doctrine
- Controversy, Fighting, Faith
- Ecumenism, Love, Truth
- Trinity, Salvation, Worship
- Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnibenevolent
- Oneness, Father, Son
- Revelation, Trinity, Salvation
- Creator, Sustainer, Judge
- Trinity, Monotheism, Faith
- Monotheism, Trinity, Incarnation
- Satan, Origin, Evil
- Christological Controversies
- Messianic Views, Prophecy, Salvation
- Virgin Mary, Holy Wisdom, Doctrine
- Trinity, Salvation, Worship
- Order, Charismatic, Freedom
- Holy Spirit, Faith, Salvation
- Trinity, Father, Son, Holy Spirit
- Trinity, Doctrine, Beliefs
- Creation, Incarnation, Trinity
- Redemption, Salvation, Grace
- Suffering, Compassion, Hope
- Perfection, Salvation, Grace
- Reborn, Salvation, Grace
- Liberation, Social Justice, Equality
- Joy, Human Existence, Faith
- Perfection, Holiness, Grace
- Fellow Humans, Present Christ
- Church, Beliefs, Practices
- Apologetics, Theology, Doctrine
- Episcopal Office, Hierarchy, Clergy
- Authority, Dissent, Beliefs
- Denominations, Sects, Churches
- Church Polity, Doctrine, History
- Liturgy, Sacraments, Worship
- Liturgy, Antiliturgy, Reforms
- Church Tradition, Doctrine, History
- Sacraments, Baptism, Eucharist
- Scripture, Traditions, Beliefs
- Veneration, Places, Objects
- Monasticism, Celibacy, Vows
- Saints, Miracles, Worship
- Art, Iconography, Religion
- Iconography, Theology, Worship
- Eschatology, Heaven, Hell
- Medieval, Reformation, Kingdom
- Missions, Emigrations, Expectation
- Eschatology, Secularization, Beliefs
- Afterlife, Resurrection, Heaven
- Beliefs, Practices, History
- Doctrine, Beliefs, Church
- Aristotle, Aquinas, Faith
- Judaism, Hellenism, Roman Empire
- Faith, Reason, Beliefs
- Natural Theology, Philosophy, Beliefs
- Cosmological Argument, Creationism, Theology
- Ontological Argument, Anselm, God's Existence
- Moral Arguments, Doctrine, Ethics
- Religious Experience, Miracles, Faith
- Immortality, Soul, Beliefs
- Ecumenism, Social Justice, Globalization
- Evidentialism, Faith, Reason
- Mysticism, Spirituality, Faith
- Mysticism, Contemplation, Devotion
- Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism
- Catholic Church, Sacraments, Doctrine
- Reformation, Denominations, Beliefs
- Mysticism, Contemplation, Union
- Mysticism, Contemplation, Devotion
- Myth, Legend, Beliefs
- Myth, Legend, Beliefs
- Myth, Legend, History
- Messianic Secrets, Salvation Mysteries
- Relics, Saints, Worship
- Medieval, Doctrine, Beliefs
- Renaissance Magic, Science
- Global, Ecumenical, Faith
- Faith, Doctrine, Community
- Church, Sects, Mysticism
- Church, State, Religion
- Church, State, History
- Church, Western States, Doctrine
- Separation, Church, State
- Eastern, Western, Theology
- Church, Society, Beliefs
- Church, Education, Doctrine
- Education, Schools, Theology
- Social Welfare, Church History, Charitable Works
- Widows, Orphans, Care
- Poverty, Property, Poor
- Pastoral Care, Worship, Community
- Minorities, Inclusion, Equality
- Church, Family, Beliefs
- Faith, Sacraments, Salvation
- Missions, Evangelism, Conversion
- Missions, Expansion, History
- Reformation, Renaissance, Expansion
- Reformation, Modernization, Globalization
- Protestant Missions, 1500-1950
- Missions, SE Asia, Pacific
- Orthodox Missions, Nondenominational Outreach
- 1950s Revival, Ecumenism, Globalization
- Bible Translations, Scripture Versions, Language Adaptations
- Ecumenism, Unity, Dialogue
- Bible, Faith, Salvation
- Ecumenism, Unity, Reformation
- Schism, 1054, East-West
- Reformation, Protestantism, Catholicism
- Ecumenism, 17th & 18th Centuries
- 19th Century Efforts
- Ecumenism, 20th Century, Unity
- Judaism, Islam, Buddhism
Chronicles, books of the
books of the Chronicles, two Old Testament books that were originally part of a larger work that included the books......
Chunqiu
Chunqiu, the first Chinese chronological history, said to be the traditional history of the vassal state of Lu,......
City of God, The
The City of God, philosophical treatise vindicating Christianity, written by the medieval philosopher St. Augustine......
Clement, First Letter of
First Letter of Clement, a letter to the Christian church in Corinth from the church of Rome, traditionally ascribed......
Clementine literature
Clementine literature, diversified group of apocryphal writings that at various times were attributed to St. Clement......
Codex Gigas
Codex Gigas, medieval illuminated manuscript known for its full-page illustration of the Devil opposite a full-page......
Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus, the earliest known manuscript of the Christian Bible, compiled in the 4th century ce. In 1844,......
Coffin Texts
Coffin Texts, collection of ancient Egyptian funerary texts consisting of spells or magic formulas, painted on......
Colossians, Letter of Paul to the
Letter of Paul to the Colossians, twelfth book of the New Testament, addressed to Christians at Colossae, Asia......
Complutensian Polyglot Bible
Complutensian Polyglot Bible, the first and best known polyglot Bible in which the text was presented in several......
confession of faith
confession of faith, formal statement of doctrinal belief ordinarily intended for public avowal by an individual,......
Confessions
Confessions, spiritual self-examination by St. Augustine, written in Latin as Confessiones about 400 ce. The book......
Confessions, Book of
Book of Confessions, compilation of creeds and confessions that was prepared by a committee of the United Presbyterian......
Constantinople, First Council of
First Council of Constantinople, (381), the second ecumenical council of the Christian church, summoned by the......
Corinthians, Letters of Paul to the
Letters of Paul to the Corinthians, either of two New Testament letters, or epistles, addressed by St. Paul the......
creed
creed, an authoritative formulation of the beliefs of a religious community (or, by transference, of individuals).......
Dacang Jing
Dacang Jing, the total body of Buddhist literature deemed canonical in China and Japan and comprising works of......
Damascus Document
Damascus Document, one of the most important extant works of the ancient Essene community of Jews at QumrÄn in......