Scripture

How it is used

Used both uncountably (Hindu scripture, the role of scripture) and countably (the scriptures of different traditions). With a capital S, Scripture or the Scriptures usually means the Christian Bible. The adjective scriptural is common in academic writing (scriptural evidence, scriptural authority).

Example sentences

1. Each tradition we study this term has its own understanding of how scripture should be read.

2. The jurists supported their ruling with scriptural evidence from the Qur'an and hadith.

Common collocations

• sacred scripture
• read scripture
• interpret scripture
• scriptural authority
• Hebrew scriptures

Related terms

• canonThe official list of books that a religious community accepts as authoritative scripture, such as the biblical canon; also a rule or decree made by a church council.
• exegesisCareful, detailed explanation of a text, especially of scripture, that tries to bring out its meaning through its language, historical context and tradition of reading.
• hermeneuticsThe theory and method of interpretation, especially of sacred texts; it asks how readers can understand a text written in another time, language and culture.
• revelationIn many religions, the communication of truth, will or guidance from God to human beings, often through prophets or sacred texts.
• BibleThe sacred scriptures of Christianity, made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament; the Jewish Bible, or Tanakh, largely corresponds to the Old Testament.

More terms: Scripture and Interpretation

• Qur'an
• Torah
• hadith
• Vedas
• Gospel
• Talmud