Scriptural Reasoning and Comparative Studies

Scriptural reasoning (SR), an academic tool for people to engage in inter-faith dialogues by reading and reflecting on scriptures from all around the world, is gaining increasing significance in the contemporary era of digitalization and globalization. The importance of international communication cannot be overstated. Thus, more attention should be attached to SR since it plays a key role in cultural exchanges between different nations and regions. It also accords with the leading academic concept, “Global Humanities” which highlights interactions of humanities and arts and integration of knowledges among various disciplines through interdisciplinary methods and diverse cultural perspectives. The questions our Research Committee on Scriptural Reasoning and Comparative Studies aims to explore include but are not limited to:

1. By analyzing the language, grammar, syntax, and meaning of scriptures from different religions, what interpretations can we arrive at that help shed new light on the classical texts?
2. How can we find the methodologies that are applicable to the inter-faith dialogues involved in scriptural reasoning? How should such methodologies be carried out in practice?
3. Inherent in the Abrahamic tradition, scriptural reasoning is usually thought to involve the studies of Jewish, Christian and Islamic scriptures. With the growing need to introduce diverse voices, how can we establish scriptural reasoning between China and the West?
4. How does the rise of digital technology and intermedial communication in the contemporary world affect the interpretation, dissemination, and accessibility of scriptural texts? What challenges and opportunities does this present for the further research on classical texts?

In summary, centering around the above questions and beyond, this Committee will delve deeply into scriptures across faith boundaries and foster cultural dialogues across different religions and cultures.

Members of the ICLA can participate in seminars and conferences of the committee. They can become members of the committee if they apply by writing an email to the committee with their CV attached. 

Student and early-career members are welcome to join the committee.