This anthology of scriptures offers selections that vary in length from a few paragraphs to 10 pages, accompanied by brief introductions that discuss the nature and scope of scripture within each religion as well as the history of each scripture presented. "Scriptures of The West" contains sacred writings of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Baha'i faith, and indigenous religions of the West; a companion text, "Scriptures of The East", contains sacred writings of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and indigenous religions of the East.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1 - ZOROASTRIANISM Introduction The Avesta Zoroastrian Creed Dualism Removal of Hair and Nails Removal of the Dead The Daily Prayer Pahlavi Writings The Chinvat Bridge, Heaven and Hell Creation and the Millennia Life of Zarathushtra Coming of Saoshyant Resurrection of the Dead, Final Judgment Six Ritual Obligations Virtues and Social Obligation Zurvan Writings Zurvan and his Twin Sons Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 2 - JUDAISM Introduction Books of Moses Creation: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Covenant with Noah: Genesis 9:1-17 Covenant with Abraham: Genesis 17:1-22 Passover and Exodus: Exodus 12:29-41, 15:5-29 Mosaic Covenant: Exodus 19, 20:1-17 Holiness Code: Leviticus 19:1-37 Conquest and United Kingdom Entry into Canaan: Joshua 1, 3 Song of Deborah: Judges 5:2-12 Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7:8-16 Psalms Attributed to David: Psalms 8; 23; 27; 32; 51 Solomon's Temple: 1 Kings 4-6 Proverbs Attributed to Solomon: Proverbs 15 Divided Kingdom and Exile Elijah versus the Priests of Asherah and Baal: 1 Kings 16-18 Isaiah's Warning to Judah: Isaiah 1:1-9, 18-21; 6 Babylonian Conquest and Exile: 2 Kings 24:8-20; 25:1-17 Remembering Zion: Psalms 137 Return from Exile and Restoration: Ezra 1, 3 Esther: Esther 3:7-11; 7 Ezra and the Law: Nehemiah 8 Post-Exilic Writings Messiah, Resurrection, and Judgment: First Enoch Maccabean Revolt: First Maccabees Qumran Community Rule: Dead Sea Scrolls Rabbinic Writings Wisdom of the Fathers Rabbinic Authority Resurrection of the Dead Coming of the Messiah Unity of the Ten Commandments Medieval Judaism Thirteen Principles of Faith: Maimonides Kabbala: Creation Recent Movements Hasidism: The Seven Beggars Reform Judaism: Declaration of Principles Zionism: Theodor Hertzl Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 3 - CHRISTIANITY Introduction Jesus' Birth and Ministry Prince of Peace and Suffering Servant: Isaiah 9:6-7, 53:2-11 Birth of Jesus: Luke, 2:1-24, 39, 40 Jesus' Baptism, Temptation, and First Disciples: Mark, 1 Sermon on the Mount: Matthew, 5-7 Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son: Luke, 10:25-37; 15:1-3, 11-32 Peter Receives the Keys: Matthew, 16:13-28 Lazarus Raised from the Dead: John, 11:1-54 Jesus' Death Last Supper: Mark 14:1-25 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: John 14:1-26 Trial, Crucifixion, Resurrection: Mark, 14:43-16:8 New Testament Church Ascension, Pentecost: Acts, 1:3-11, 2:1-24, 40-47 Paul on the Distinction between Christianity and Judaism: Galatians, 1-2 Paul on Life after Death: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, 35-57 Non-Canonical Gospels Infancy Gospel of James Infancy Gospel of Thomas Gnostic Gospel of Thomas Gnostic Gospel of Mary Early Statements of Faith Baptism, Prayer, and the Eucharist: Didache Apostles' Creed Nicene Creed Chalcedon Creed Church Fathers, Saints, and Mystics The Martyrdom of Polycarp Tertullian on Heretics Jerome's Preface to the Vulgate Augustine's Confessions Teresa of Avila on the Prayer of Union Protestant Statements of Faith Lutherans: Augsburg Confession Anglicans: 39 Articles of Religion Presbyterians: Westminster Confession Baptists: First London Baptist Confession of Faith Congregationalists: Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order Assemblies of God: Statement of Fundamental Truths Recent Sectarian Movements Unitarianism: William Ellery Channing Mormonism: Joseph Smith Jehovah's Witnesses: Charles Taze Russell Christian Science: Mary Baker Eddy New Age Christianity: Levi H. Dowling Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 4 - ISLAM Introduction Qur'an: Muhammad in Mecca Night of Power Divine Judgment Opening Evils of Idolatry Early Prophets Resurrection of the Dead Revealed Qur'an Qur'an: Muhammad in Medina Laws Treatment of Women Jesus the prophet Unbelieving People of the Book Five Pillars of Islam Jihad Muhammad's Wives Idolatry Abolished Final Revelation Hadith Call to Prophethood Night Journey Jihad Charity Reciting the Qur'an Stoning of Adulterous Jews Death of Muhammad First Compilation of the Qur'an Definitive Compilation of the Qur'an Sunni and Shi'i Writings Sunni Islamic Law Sunni Creed Shi'i Creed Sufi Writings Love: Rabi'a Unveiling the Qur'an's Secrets: Sana'i of Ghazni Sufi Path: al-Ghazali Union and Separation: Rumi Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 5 - BAHA'I Introduction The Bab Imprisonment A New Qur'an The Bayan: a Book for a New Dispensation A Coming Leader Day of Resurrection Call to belief Baha'u'llah Different Manifestations in Different Dispensations Baha'i Laws Promoting Peace Paradise Abdu'l-baha Baha'u'llah's Teachings Pantheism Universal Love Abdu'l-baha's Will Shoghi Effendi Possibilities of the Future Unity of Religions, Races, and God Universal House of Justice Promise of World Peace Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 6 - INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS OF THE WEST Introduction Africa Cause of Death King of Death: Angolan Myth Woman's Search for the High God: Zambian Myth Tree to the Upper World: Tanzanian Myth Dead People become Clouds: San Myth America Creation: Mayan Myth Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca: Mexican Myth Creation: Hopi Myth Creation: Cherokee Myth Origin of Disease and Medicine: Cherokee Myth Glossary, Further Reading