Mending the World? Possibilities and Obstacles for Religion, Church, and Theology
Ebook
Overview
Religion has played a major role in history, affecting the course of events and influencing individuals. Today one frequently hears the expression “the return of religion” but opinions differ as to how this “return” is to be understood. It is clear that modernity and postmodernity have not meant that religion is dead or relegated to society’s backyards. Religion is still of vital importance for many people. It has, to some extent, changed shape but has not lost its legitimacy and attractiveness to broad groups. Religion is public, visible, and has a sought-for voice; but it is also wrestling with extremism, ignorance, and preconceptions. Just like ideologies, religions are capable of activating diametrically opposite traits in humans. It is this dual tension that is implicit in the question mark in this book’s title: Mending the World? This book’s aim is to help explore whether, how, and in what ways religion, church, and theology can contribute constructively to the future of a global society. In thirty-one chapters, researchers from around the world address the relation between religion and society.
"Mending the World? offers a timely, honest, and
meaningful conversation on the trials and promises of religious
pluralism from a global perspective. Calling for a culture enriched
by a transparent encounter with the other, this collection comes at
a most opportune time for addressing the challenges posed by the
growing entrenchment of religious, racial, and nationalistic
ideologies. Now is the time this book needs to be read."
--Vitor Westhelle, Professor of Systematic Theology, Lutheran
School of Theology at Chicago
"Mending the World? is a collection of various
thought-provoking essays from scholars around the world researching
and reflecting on the symbiotic relationship between religion and
social transformation. The essays proceed from the premise of
the socially-constructed nature of religious belief and
practice, and the question mark at the end of the title is an
invitation to consider the ‘dual tension’ inherent in the ways in
which religion both conforms to and transforms communal norms. I
highly recommend the book to those who are interested in studying
both the regulatory and the transformative capacities of religious
beliefs."
--Sarojini Nadar, Desmond Tutu Research Chair, University of the
Western Cape
Product Details
- Title : Mending the World?: Possibilities and Obstacles for Religion, Church, and Theology
- Authors:
- Blåder, Niclas
- Kjellin, Kristina Helgesson
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications
- Publication Date: 2017
- ISBN: 9781532610653
Niclas Blader holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and works as a
researcher at the Church of Sweden Research Unit, Uppsala Sweden.
He is the author of Lutheran Tradition as Heritage and Tool
(2015).
Kristina Helgesson Kjellin holds a PhD in cultural anthropology
from Uppsala University, Sweden, and works as a researcher at the
Church of Sweden Research Unit, Uppsala Sweden.