Academic

Khan on Divine Texts

By Lawrence Solum

Ali Khan (Washburn University - School of Law) has posted The Immutability of Divine Texts (Brigham Young University Law Review, Forthcoming) on SSRN.  Here is the abstract:

Divine texts are universal and timeless. They continue to guide communities and generations across the globe, as they have for centuries. Revealed in diverse cultures, languages, and legal traditions, divine texts share common themes to preserve human spirituality. No concept of prosperity, social advancement, or human rights will weaken the eternal influence of divine texts. Normative deviations from divine texts are transient. Spiritual needs that divine texts fulfill are permanent. The immutability of divine texts does not reside in interpretative gloss or exegetical methodologies. It does not dwell even in the sacred languages in which divine texts are revealed. Nor do divine texts establish exclusive relationship with any one nation, ethnic community, or generation of believers, even if the believers may assert such a relationship. Transcending interpretations and languages, and repudiating claims of sole proprietorship, divine texts tender themselves as the common heritage of all the peoples of the world.

Full post as published by Legal Theory Blog on May 22, 2008 (boomark / email).