Download Sacred Texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

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Course Description
Sacred Texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Dates
Times
Location
Level
Class size
Wednesdays 4 May, 11 May, 18 May and 25 May 2016
14.00–16.00
Harry M Weinrebe Learning Centre
All levels
Maximum 16 participants
Course description
Sacred texts are fundamental to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each faith has produced sublimely
beautiful books, through which we can better understand the three traditions – and explore their
similarities and differences. This four-week course will introduce you to the origins and development of
the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Bible, and the Qur’an – and offers the rare opportunity to come faceto-face with unique examples from the Library’s unparalleled collection of first-millennium manuscripts.
Guided by leading academics and British Library curators, each week you’ll explore a single religious
tradition through its manuscript heritage, culminating in a collective session that will further illustrate
the concept that the books of the three faiths form one linked textual tradition.
Week 1: The Hebrew Bible and Judaism as a book religion
The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and especially the Pentateuch (Torah), is the most sacred book in
Judaism. In our first week we’ll discuss the development of the Bible, focusing on manuscripts in the
Library’s collection. We’ll also look at the creation of the Babylonian Talmud – a compendium of
rabbinic traditions created in Babylonia during the 6th-8th centuries – and how its use in medieval
rabbinic academies helped establish Judaism as a book religion. Our first session will close with a
curator-led tour of the Library’s Treasures Gallery, where we’ll discuss rare examples of the sacred
Jewish texts on display.
Week 2: The Bible and Christianity – Eastern and Western perspectives on the canon
The Bible, composed of both the Old and New Testaments, is the cornerstone text of Christianity. In
our second week we’ll explore the relationship between the Old and New Testaments; as well as the
development of the New Testament canon in the first centuries. Focusing on manuscripts from the
Library’s collection, we’ll examine the spread of the texts of the Christian Bible both in the West and
the East with reference to the phenomenon of their translation into a variety of languages. We’ll
finish the session with a curator-led tour of the Library’s Treasures Gallery, where we’ll discuss rare
examples of the sacred Christian texts on display.
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Week 3: Preservation of the sacred and the concept of canon in Islam
The Qur’an serves as Islam’s most sacred text. In our third week we’ll examine the significance of the
Qur’an as the principal source of the faith’s teachings, using manuscripts from the Library’s collections
to draw attention to key features of its form and content. Through this manuscript evidence, you’ll
learn about the considerable effort which was invested in preserving the Qur’an as a source of beliefs
and teachings, and that Islam does not present itself as a distinctively new religious faith but one that
openly shares a common heritage with the religions of Judaism and Christianity. We’ll conclude week
three with a curator-led tour of the Library’s Treasures Gallery, where we’ll discuss rare examples of
the sacred Islamic texts on display.
Week 4: Face-to-face with the sacred texts
Our course culminates with the extraordinary opportunity to view and discuss a breathtaking
selection of manuscripts from the Library’s collection. You’ll encounter unparalleled examples of texts
representing the three faiths, including a 3rd-century papyrus Gospel of St John, the 8th-century
Ma'il Qur'an – one of the earliest in the world, and the 10th-century London Codex (Torah), among
other important survivals. Bringing together manuscripts from all three faiths will help us further
explore their linked textual tradition, enabling a better understanding of the shared heritage of
Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Tutors
Week 1 is led by Catherine Hezser, Professor of Jewish Studies in the Religions and Philosophies
Department at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Catherine will
be joined by Ilana Tahan, Lead Curator of Hebrew and Christian Orient Collections at the British Library.
Week 2 is led by Dr Erica Hunter, Head of the Religions and Philosophies Department at SOAS,
University of London. Erica will be joined by Dr Scot McKendrick, Head of Western Heritage
Collections at the British Library.
Week 3 is led by Dr Mustafa Shah, Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies in the Department of Languages
and Cultures of the Near and Middle East at SOAS, University of London. Mustafa will be joined by
Dr Colin Baker, Head of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Collections at the British Library.
Week 4 is led by curators Colin Baker, Ilana Tahan and Peter Toth, Curator of Ancient and Medieval
Manuscripts at the British Library. Prof Catherine Hezser, Dr Erica Hunter and Dr Mustafa Shah will
also contribute to the final session.
Previous skills, knowledge or experience
None required. A willingness to participate in group discussion will help you get the most from this course.
Suggested reading
The British Library catalogue, Sacred (2007), is an indispensable companion to this course.
British Library shop discount
Participants who wish to purchase available titles for this course from the Library shop will receive a
10% discount on production of their course ticket/confirmation email.
Facilities and Refreshments
Please note that the Learning Centre will open to participants 15 minutes before the stated start time.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at each session.
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