The Book

Konrad Schmid and Jens Schröter have written a fascinating article on how the bible coalesced from early writings.    

The oldest scriptures that eventually became the Bible were created within an environment where no appreciable religious function was assigned to texts. The stories, proverbs, songs, and prayers dating from the ninth and eighth centuries bc that researchers have managed to reconstruct from the Bible are examples of literature rather than holy scripture. They evolved into scripture through a lengthy process.

Religious observance centered on local shrines, and contact with the deity was maintained through sacrifices, votive offerings, and prayer. 

We live in a world today where every mainstream religion is centered on The Book.  Studying and reading from The Book is a central part of their regular observances.

I like the idea of a faith without a textbook, a faith based not on memorization but on intuition and emotion.

You can read their article online at Lapham's Quarterly, HERE.