Scriptural Reasoning as a Ritualized Practice

In this chapter, Marianne Moyaert looks at an interreligious practice that has come to be known as scriptural reasoning. This practice engages the so-called people of the book—Jews, Muslims, and Christians—to read their sacred scriptures together. At first glance, scriptural reasoning presents itself as a textbook example of what she has elsewhere (Moyaert 2018) called the textual fixation of interreligious encounters. Things are more complicated, however. Several of the world’s leading proponents of scriptural reasoning—David Ford, Peter Ochs, and Steven Kepnes—actually depict their scriptural encounters as a ritual. Following their lead, she elaborates on scriptural reasoning as a particular case of interrituality, that is, an interreligious encounter that happens ritually. Her main argument will be that scriptural reasoning is a formative ritual practice (or liturgical pedagogy) intended to transform and counterform the habits of those involved so as to equip them with the tools required to navigate our religiously diverse world in a constructive way. Continuing along this line, she argues that scriptural reasoning is not a theoretical response to problems arising in a pluralist society; rather, it gives a practical response to the question: How do we transform hostile relationships among Jews, Christians, and Muslims into friendly relationships? Scriptural reasoners respond to this question not by producing a better theological reading of their scriptures but by forming better readers (which may result in novel and more nuanced readings!).