| name | okhp3-tradition-reference |
| description | Reference ARE scope, canon, denominations, translations, Pew US shares, and free API providers for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Use before answering canon or denomination questions, choosing a translation, writing scripture fetch code, checking whether a tradition is in scope, or explaining LDS, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, or Islamic reference coverage. Preserve denominational variation, source dates, licensing, and known API gaps.
|
| license | MIT |
| metadata | {"author":"Jamie Hill (OverKill Hill P³)","version":"1.2.0","category":"interfaith-reference","origin":"okhp3/abrahamic-reference-engine","homepage":"https://overkillhill.com","author-github":"https://github.com/OKHP3","spec-version":"agentskills-1.0","reviewed":"2026-07-21"} |
| compatibility | Markdown reference material. Network access is optional and only needed to verify provider availability or current demographic sources. |
OKHP3 -- Tradition Reference Skill
OverKill Hill P³ · overkillhill.com · github.com/OKHP3 · OKHP3/skillz
Execution contract
- Apply the scope test before adding a tradition, denomination, translation, or
API: Abrahamic lineage and the 1% US threshold are both required by ARE.
- Use the focused
knowledge/ file for the question at hand. Do not load every
primer when one denomination or one API gap is sufficient.
- Separate canonical or historical description from ARE implementation policy,
provider availability, and user-facing UI guidance.
- Preserve variation within a tradition. Do not turn one denomination's canon,
practice, or interpretation into a universal claim.
- Treat Pew shares and provider coverage as time-sensitive. Cite the source and
date, record known gaps in
reserve-02-api-gap-register.md, and verify live
availability before promising that an endpoint currently works.
- This is a neutral reference layer, not spiritual or doctrinal authority. Do
not rank traditions or recommend a translation without stating its license
and coverage limits.
Scope criteria
Two criteria must BOTH be met for a tradition to be in scope:
- Abrahamic lineage -- traceable descent from the Abrahamic scriptural family (Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, and their direct derivatives)
- 1% or greater US population -- per Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study
Failing either criterion excludes the tradition regardless of global significance, historical importance, or US cultural presence.
Pew Research Center citation: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/ (2023)
In-scope traditions (3 total)
| Tradition | US Share (Pew 2023) | In scope | Abrahamic | Meets 1% |
|---|
| Christianity | ~63% | YES | YES | YES |
| Judaism | ~2% | YES | YES | YES |
| Islam | ~1% | YES | YES | YES |
Explicitly out of scope
| Tradition | US Share | Abrahamic | Meets 1% | Reason excluded |
|---|
| Hinduism | ~1% | NO | YES | Not Abrahamic |
| Buddhism | ~1% | NO | YES | Not Abrahamic |
| Sikhism | <0.5% | NO | NO | Not Abrahamic; below 1% |
| Baha'i | ~0.1% | YES | NO | Abrahamic but below 1% threshold |
| Druze | <0.1% | YES | NO | Abrahamic but below 1% threshold |
| Wicca / Paganism | <0.5% | NO | NO | Not Abrahamic; below 1% |
| Unaffiliated / Secular | ~26% | N/A | N/A | Not a scriptural tradition |
Exclusion is a methodological boundary, not a judgment of worth or spiritual validity.
Judaism
US population share: ~2% (Pew Research Center, 2023)
Pew URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/
Canon
| Division | Contents | Books |
|---|
| Torah | The Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch) | Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy |
| Nevi'im | The Prophets | 8 books (Joshua through Malachi) |
| Ketuvim | The Writings | 11 books (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, etc.) |
| Tanakh total | | 24 books |
Secondary authoritative texts: Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi, Midrash Rabbah, Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Zohar, Shulchan Arukh
Key themes
- Covenant (brit) between God and Israel
- Tikkun olam -- repair of the world
- Shabbat and sacred time
- Torah study as lifelong obligation
- Justice (tzedakah) and ethical monotheism
Interpretive traditions
- PaRDeS: Peshat (plain), Remez (allegorical), Derash (homiletic), Sod (mystical)
- Talmudic dialectic: argument and counter-argument preserved, not resolved
- Maimonidean rationalism vs. Kabbalistic mysticism
- Modern movements: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist
Key passages
| Reference | Lookup key | Note |
|---|
| Genesis 1:1 | Genesis 1:1 | Opening of the Torah |
| Deuteronomy 6:4-5 | Deuteronomy 6:4-5 | The Shema -- central prayer |
| Exodus 20:1-17 | Exodus 20:1-17 | The Ten Commandments |
| Psalms 23 | Psalms 23 | The Lord is my Shepherd |
| Isaiah 6:1-8 | Isaiah 6:1-8 | Isaiah's call |
| Micah 6:8 | Micah 6:8 | Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly |
Available translations
| ID | Name | License | Notes |
|---|
sefaria-en | Sefaria English | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Default; mixed from public domain sources |
sefaria-he-en | Sefaria Hebrew + English | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Bilingual display |
API provider
Sefaria.org -- free, no authentication required
- Endpoint:
GET https://www.sefaria.org/api/texts/{ref}?lang=en
- Reference format:
{Book} {Chapter}:{Verse} (e.g. Genesis 1:1)
- Documentation: https://developers.sefaria.org/
Christianity
US population share: ~63% total (Pew Research Center, 2023)
Pew URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/
Christianity is subdivided by denomination. Five denominations meet the 1%+ US threshold.
Canon overview by denomination
| Denomination | US Share | Canon | Books | Deuterocanonicals |
|---|
| Evangelical Protestant | ~25% | Protestant | 66 (39 OT + 27 NT) | Excluded |
| Catholic | ~20% | Catholic | 73 (46 OT + 27 NT) | Included (7 books) |
| Mainline Protestant | ~16% | Protestant | 66 (39 OT + 27 NT) | Excluded |
| LDS / Restorationist | ~2% | Standard Works | 66 (KJV) + 3 additional | Excluded from Bible; additional LDS scriptures |
| Orthodox Christian | ~1% | Orthodox | Varies by jurisdiction (typically 76-78) | Included (broader set) |
Denomination reference
Evangelical Protestant (~25% US)
- Description: Personal conversion, biblical inerrancy/infallibility, centrality of Christ's atonement, evangelism imperative. Includes Baptist, Pentecostal, non-denominational.
- Distinctives: Born-again experience, sola scriptura, believer's baptism (typically by immersion).
- Key texts: Holy Bible (66 books)
- Representative passages: John 3:16 (
john 3:16), Romans 10:9-10 (romans 10:9-10), 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (2 timothy 3:16-17)
- Preferred translations: KJV, ESV (key req.), NIV (key req.), WEB
- API translations (free):
kjv, web, asv, bbe, darby
Catholic (~20% US)
- Description: Apostolic succession, Eucharist as central sacrament, Magisterium as teaching authority. Seven sacraments. Largest single denomination worldwide.
- Distinctives: Scripture + Tradition + Magisterium; 73-book canon; veneration of Mary and saints.
- Key texts: Holy Bible (73 books), Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Representative passages: Matthew 16:18-19 (
matthew 16:18-19), John 6:51-58 (john 6:51-58), Luke 1:46-55 (luke 1:46-55)
- Preferred translations: NABRE (key req.), Douay-Rheims, WEB (has deuterocanonicals)
- API translations (free):
web (includes deuterocanonicals), kjv (excludes deuterocanonicals)
Mainline Protestant (~16% US)
- Description: Historic denominations (Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal/Anglican, United Church of Christ). Ecumenical, critical-scholarly, social justice oriented.
- Distinctives: Theological diversity; many ordain women and LGBTQ+ clergy; Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience).
- Key texts: Holy Bible (66 books), Westminster Confession, Book of Common Prayer
- Representative passages: Micah 6:8 (
micah 6:8), Matthew 25:31-46 (matthew 25:31-46), Romans 12:1-2 (romans 12:1-2)
- Preferred translations: NRSV (key req.), WEB, KJV
- API translations (free):
kjv, web, asv, bbe
LDS / Restorationist (~2% US)
- Description: Restoration movement founded by Joseph Smith. Modern prophetic revelation, pre-mortal existence, eternal family relationships sealed in temples.
- Distinctives: Standard Works (four-volume canon); continuing prophetic succession; temple ordinances.
- Key texts: Holy Bible (KJV), Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price
- Representative passages: James 1:5 (
james 1:5), John 17:3 (john 17:3), 2 Ne. 2:25 (Book of Mormon), Moses 1:39 (Pearl of Great Price), D&C 76:22 (Doctrine and Covenants)
- API translations (free):
kjv (Bible only via bible-api.com)
Canon scope -- Standard Works (4 volumes):
| Volume | Contents | Books / Sections |
|---|
| Holy Bible (KJV) | Old and New Testament | 66 books |
| Book of Mormon | Narrative scripture from ancient American prophets | 15 books (1 Nephi -- Moroni) |
| Doctrine and Covenants | Modern revelations, primarily through Joseph Smith | 138 sections + Official Declarations |
| Pearl of Great Price | Moses, Abraham, Joseph Smith -- History, Articles of Faith | 5 texts |
LDS scripture API for non-Bible volumes: scriptures.nephi.org -- community-maintained, no authentication required.
- Base URL:
https://scriptures.nephi.org
- Covers all four Standard Works
- Reference examples:
1 Ne. 3:7 (Book of Mormon), D&C 76:22 (D&C), Moses 1:39 (Pearl of Great Price)
- No uptime guarantee -- implement graceful fallback when unavailable
- Official text (no API):
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures
Orthodox Christian (~1% US)
- Description: Eastern Orthodox traces apostolic continuity through seven Ecumenical Councils. Theosis (participation in divine nature) as the goal of Christian life. Highly liturgical.
- Distinctives: Divine Liturgy (John Chrysostom / Basil); icon veneration; Septuagint (LXX) as authoritative OT; broader canon than Protestant.
- Key texts: Holy Bible (Orthodox canon), Church Fathers, Philokalia
- Representative passages: John 1:1-14 (
john 1:1-14), 2 Peter 1:4 (2 peter 1:4), Matthew 3:13-17 (matthew 3:13-17)
- API translations (free):
web (closest to Orthodox usage -- includes deuterocanonicals but not full Orthodox OT), kjv
Canon scope -- Septuagint-based (LXX):
| Canon layer | Contents | Books |
|---|
| Protestant OT core | Shared with all Christian traditions | 39 books |
| Catholic deuterocanonicals | Tobit, Judith, 1-2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch + Greek additions to Esther/Daniel | 7 books + additions |
| Orthodox additions | 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151 | Present in Greek Orthodox and most Eastern Orthodox canons |
| Extended (some jurisdictions) | 4 Maccabees (appendix in Georgian/Slavonic traditions), 1 Esdras, Prayer of Manasseh | Varies by jurisdiction |
| New Testament | Shared with all Christian traditions | 27 books |
Typical total: 76-78 books (varies by jurisdiction -- Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, etc. differ slightly).
API gap: No free public unauthenticated API covers the full Orthodox OT. bible-api.com web covers the seven Catholic deuterocanonicals but omits 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151, and 4 Maccabees. Surface this limitation explicitly when a user requests those texts.
Available translations (Christianity -- all denominations)
| ID | Name | License | Denominations | Notes |
|---|
kjv | King James Version (1611) | Public domain | Evangelical, LDS, mainline, Catholic | Standard for Evangelical and LDS use |
web | World English Bible | Public domain | All | Includes deuterocanonicals; best for Catholic/Orthodox |
asv | American Standard Version (1901) | Public domain | Evangelical, mainline | Formal equivalent |
bbe | Bible in Basic English | Public domain | All | Simplified vocabulary |
darby | Darby Translation | Public domain | Evangelical | Literal; 19th century |
akjv | American King James Version | Public domain | Evangelical | Modernized KJV spelling |
ylt | Young's Literal Translation | Public domain | Academic | Highly literal; 1862 |
dra | Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition | Public domain | Catholic, Orthodox | Traditional Catholic translation from Latin Vulgate; use dra -- drc returns HTTP 404 |
esv | English Standard Version | Licensed | Evangelical | Requires API key; NOT in free build |
nrsv | New Revised Standard Version | Licensed | Mainline, academic | Requires API key; NOT in free build |
nabre | New American Bible Revised Edition | Licensed | Catholic | US liturgical standard; requires API key |
API provider (Christianity)
bible-api.com -- free, no authentication required
- Endpoint:
GET https://bible-api.com/{reference}?translation={id}
- Reference format:
{book} {chapter}:{verse} (lowercase; e.g. john 3:16)
- Documentation: https://bible-api.com/
Islam
US population share: ~1% (Pew Research Center, 2023)
Pew URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/
Canon
| Text | Contents | Structure |
|---|
| Quran | Direct word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad | 114 surahs (chapters), 6,236 ayat (verses); organized by descending length, not chronology |
| Hadith | Sayings and actions of the Prophet (secondary source) | Six major collections (Kutub al-Sittah); Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are most authoritative |
Major Hadith collections: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud, Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa'i, Sunan Ibn Majah
Key themes
- Tawhid: the absolute oneness of God
- Prophethood (Nubuwwah): Adam to Muhammad as final messenger
- The Five Pillars: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj
- Akhirah: the afterlife and Day of Judgment
- Submission (Islam) and peace (Salam) as core meanings
Interpretive traditions
- Tafsir: exegetical commentary on the Quran
- Fiqh: Islamic jurisprudence derived from Quran and Hadith
- Four major Sunni law schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali
- Shia tradition: authority of the Imams alongside scripture
- Sufi tradition: mystical and devotional interpretation
Key passages
| Reference | Surah:Ayah key | Note |
|---|
| Al-Fatiha 1:1-7 | 1:1 | The Opening; recited in every prayer |
| Ayat al-Kursi 2:255 | 2:255 | The Throne Verse |
| Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4 | 112:1 | The Sincerity; on the oneness of God |
| An-Nur 24:35 | 24:35 | The Light Verse |
| Al-Baqarah 2:285-286 | 2:285 | The Messenger believes |
| Al-Alaq 96:1-5 | 96:1 | First revelation: "Read" |
Available translations
| ID (Quran.com) | Name | Style |
|---|
20 | Sahih International | Modern; balanced; default |
21 | Pickthall | Early 20th c.; archaic style -- WARNING: currently returns no translations array from Quran.com v4; use AlQuran.cloud fallback edition en.pickthall instead |
22 | Yusuf Ali | With explanatory notes |
23 | Arberry | Literary; "The Koran Interpreted" |
24 | Shakir | More literal |
Use translationId values as the integer in the Quran.com translations query parameter. In this codebase, prefix with quran- (e.g. quran-20) and strip the prefix before passing to the API.
API provider (Islam)
Primary: Quran.com API v4 -- free, no authentication required
- Endpoint:
GET https://api.quran.com/api/v4/verses/by_key/{surah}:{ayah}?language=en&translations={id}&words=false
- Reference format:
{surah}:{ayah} (e.g. 2:255)
- Documentation: https://api-docs.quran.com/
Fallback: AlQuran.cloud
- Endpoint:
GET https://api.alquran.cloud/v1/ayah/{surah}:{ayah}/{edition}
- Editions:
en.asad, en.arberry, en.sahih, en.pickthall
Hadith: fawazahmed0/hadith-api -- free via jsDelivr CDN (CC BY-4.0)
- CDN:
https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/fawazahmed0/hadith-api@1/
- Working endpoint (collection-level):
https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/fawazahmed0/hadith-api@1/editions/eng-{collection}.min.json -- fetch the full collection JSON and extract the hadith by hadithnumber from the in-memory result
- Broken endpoint (per-hadith):
/{number}.json URL pattern -- returns HTTP 404 as of 2026-06-25; do not use
- Collections:
bukhari, muslim, abudawud, tirmidhi, nasai, ibnmajah
- No authentication required
Quick lookup table
| Tradition | US% | API | Base URL | Ref format | Default translation |
|---|
| Judaism | 2% | Sefaria | sefaria.org/api/texts | Genesis 1:1 | Sefaria English |
| Christianity | 63% | bible-api.com | bible-api.com | john 3:16 | KJV |
| Islam | 1% | Quran.com v4 | api.quran.com/api/v4 | 2:255 | Sahih International (ID 20) |
Knowledge scaffold file inventory
All files live under knowledge/ in this skill directory. Load only the file(s) relevant to the current task -- do not load the full set upfront. The SKILL.md above is sufficient for most queries; reach for these files when you need deep-dive tradition or denomination detail.
| File | Description |
|---|
judaism-primer.md | Tradition overview: canon, themes, interpretive schools, key passages |
islam-primer.md | Tradition overview: Quran and Hadith structure, Five Pillars, tafsir traditions |
christianity-overview.md | Christianity as a whole: US share, denominational breakdown, canon summary |
christianity-catholic.md | Catholic denomination: Magisterium, 73-book canon, sacraments, translation notes |
christianity-evangelical-protestant.md | Evangelical Protestant: sola scriptura, inerrancy, born-again distinctives |
christianity-mainline-protestant.md | Mainline Protestant: Wesleyan Quadrilateral, ecumenism, social-justice orientation |
christianity-lds-restorationist.md | LDS / Restorationist: Standard Works four-volume canon, prophetic succession, temple ordinances |
christianity-orthodox.md | Orthodox Christian: theosis, Divine Liturgy, Septuagint canon, API gap notes |
cross-tradition-compare-method.md | Methodology for neutral cross-tradition comparison: proportional representation, bridging note style |
neutral-glossary.md | Shared Abrahamic vocabulary with tradition-neutral definitions |
translation-metadata.md | Translation ID map, license status, and API availability for all three traditions |
reserve-01-scope-expansion-notes.md | Phase 2 notes: traditions considered for future scope expansion beyond Abrahamic lineage |
reserve-02-api-gap-register.md | API gap register: translations and texts with no free anonymous API coverage |
reserve-03-ui-copy.md | UI copy reference: labels, explainer text, and tone guidelines for the ARE interface |
reserve-04-denominational-distinctives-extended.md | Extended denominational distinctives beyond what fits in the main SKILL.md |
About
Built by Jamie Hill · OverKill Hill P³
Published at github.com/OKHP3
Part of the OKHP3/skillz Agent Skill library.
MIT License -- free to use, fork, and adapt. A nod to the source is appreciated.
