Religion as Relation
Studying Religion in Context
edited by Peter Berger, Marjo Buitelaar and Kim Knibbe
Religion is studied from a multitude of approaches and methodologies: history, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, psychology and the academic study of religion. This book differs from most other introductions and handbooks in that it draws on ongoing research to show ‘how’ researchers approach their topics. The aim is to provide orientation in this multidisciplinary context without attempting to homogenize the field. It is intended for undergraduate students studying religion as well as broader audiences interested in the study of religion.
Religion is studied from a multitude of approaches and methodologies: history, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, psychology and the academic study of religion. This book differs from most other introductions and handbooks in that it draws on ongoing research to show ‘how’ researchers approach their topics. The aim is to provide orientation in this multidisciplinary context without attempting to homogenize the field. It is intended for undergraduate students studying religion as well as broader audiences interested in the study of religion. The introduction provides students with an overview of four key issues that are at stake in choosing an approach to studying religion in a multidisciplinary context: 1) the ways scholars conceptualize and delineate ‘religion’ as an object of study, 2) what theory is and what it is for, 3) at what level of analysis research may take place, and 4) the ‘problem of belief’ in the study of religion. In the subsequent chapters, each author discusses material from their own research to demonstrate the approach and methodology they apply and what kind of insights these yield. Collectively, the introduction and the individual chapters allow students to orient themselves with regard to the various methodologies and perspectives that may be deployed to formulate and answer their own research questions.
1. Introduction: Religion as Relation Peter Berger, Marjo Buitelaar and Kim Knibbe 2. Philosophy of Religion: Is Religion Universal? Dennis Vanden Auweele, University of Leuven 3. Turning the Tables: The History of Philosophy as a Field of Enquiry for Religious Studies Christoph Jedan, University of Groningen 4. Normative Pictures: The History of Christianity from a Theological Perspective Henk van den Belt, VU University, Amsterdam 5. Relations of Religion in the Graeco-Roman World: Formative Judaism and Christianity Steve Mason, University of Groningen 6. Ancient Religious Texts and Intertextuality: Plato's and Plutarch's Myths of the Afterlife Lautaro Roig Lanzillotta, University of Groningen 7. Religion as a Meaning System Anja Visser, University of Groningen 8. Religion as Attachment: A Psychological Exploration of Relational Dynamics in God Representations Hanneke Schaap-Jonker, VU University, Amsterdam 9. Bridging Inner and Outer Worlds: A Psychodynamic Approach to Meaningful Mourning Hanneke Muthert, University of Groningen 10. Dilemmas in Participant Observation in Religious Contexts Kim Knibbe 11. Away from the Centre: On the Edges and Adjacencies of Religious Forms Simon Coleman, University of Toronto 12. The Importation and Generation of the Religious and the Sacred in Political Song Joram Tarusarira, University of Groningen 13. Comparing Notes: The Anthropological Approach to the Study of Islam in Europe Marjo Buitelaar 14. Configurations of Values Peter Berger Epilogue: Studying Religion in Context: Diversity and Commonalities in Approaches Peter Berger, Marjo Buitelaar and Kim Knibbe
- Edited by Peter Berger
- Edited by Marjo Buitelaar
- Edited by Kim Knibbe
"In covering so much ground, the volume does an admirable job conveying the richness and variety of religious studies." Buck, Christopher, Reading Religion, June 6, 2023
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Other Titles in this Series
The Relational Dynamics of Enchantment and Sacralization
Changing the Terms of the Religion Versus Secularity Debate
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