Scripture - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Scripture: More than mere text, Scripture represents a collection of writings held sacred by a religious community, believed to contain profound truths, divine guidance, or a narrative of ultimate significance. Is it history? Is it law? Is it something more… or other?
The concept of Scripture, as a specifically delineated and revered body of texts, appears alongside the development of advanced literacy and organized religion. While pinpointing the absolute earliest use is difficult, the Epic of Gilgamesh (circa 2100 BCE), though not Scripture in the formal sense, hints at the impulse to record and preserve foundational stories offering both cultural wisdom and possible divine insight. Similarly, the Egyptian "Book of the Dead" (from around 1550 BCE) comprised funerary texts intended to guide souls through the afterlife, showing us that religious beliefs were codified and memorialized in writing at that early time. Consider alongside these dates the life of Hammurabi (1792 - 1750 BCE), whose law codes were influential during their time and remain so in our own. The emergence of the Torah in Judaism (scholarly estimates vary, but often date its compilation to the Babylonian exile, 6th century BCE and after), along with associated prophetic material and wisdom literature, marks a significant milestone in scripture. But perhaps the more significant event was the development of canon, the formal process of defining exactly which texts constituted The Word as God has revealed it.
Over time, interpretations of Scripture have dramatically shifted, mirroring broader cultural changes. Some emphasize rigid adherence to the literal text, while others seek symbolic meanings or adapt its ethical principles to modern contexts. The rise of textual criticism, which seeks to establish the most accurate and original version of a text, challenged traditional interpretations and forced theological debates. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century, provided earlier versions of biblical texts, stirring both excitement and controversy. They also show us the many divergent paths that scriptural interpretation could have taken! The Reformation, ignited by Martin Luther's challenge to the Catholic Church in the 16th century, hinged on the interpretation of Scripture and the idea of sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sparking centuries of religious and political upheaval. The rise of scientific inquiry (falsifiability, critical thinking) and historical criticism further complicated the relationship between Scripture and modern thought, fostering both skepticism and new religious perspectives. In the current era with the ethics of artificial intelligence looming large, we might rightly ask how we should consider the relationship between the traditional understanding of Scripture and the new kinds of truth that may be found through computational processes.
Scripture continues to exert a profound influence on law, morality, political discourse, and the arts. Contemporary reinterpretations often focus on themes of social justice, environmental stewardship, or personal transformation, reflecting shifting societal values. Many find in Scripture a source of moral principle and ethical guidance but how do we balance the often obscure passages with our innate sense of fairness in decision-making? In an age of rapid technological advancement and increasing existential crisis, Scripture offers both comfort and challenge, inviting us to grapple with timeless questions about the nature of existence, our moral obligation to one another, and the search for meaning. Has technology rendered obsolete these ancient texts? Or do these records of humanity's first attempts at rational thinking possess a subtle, enduring wisdom that we ignore at our peril?