Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Introduction: A Double Paradigm Shift 1
4. 1. A Scriptural Galaxy 10
5. 2. A Divine Palimpsest 29
6. 3. Religious Revolution and Cultural Change 40
7. 4. Scripture and Culture 55
8. 5. The New Self and Reading Practices 71
9. 6. Communities of Knowledge 83
10. 7. Eastern Wisdoms 97
11. 8. A World Full of Letters 108
12. 9. Scriptural and Personal Authority 121
13. Conclusion: Alexandria, Jerusalem, Baghdad 132
14. Notes 139
15. Acknowledgments 179
16. Index 181