Explorations in Ecclesiology and Ethnography

by Christian B. Scharen (Editor)

Overview

In Explorations in Ecclesiology and Ethnography Christian Scharen and several other contributors explore empirical and theological understandings of the church. Like the first volume in the Studies in Ecclesiology and Ethnography series, this second volume seeks to bridge the great divide between theological research and ethnography (qualitative research).

The book's wide-ranging chapters cover such fascinating topics as geographic habits of American evangelicals, debates over difficult issues like homosexuality, and responses to social problems like drug abuse and homelessness. The contributors together model a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach, with fruitful results that will set a new standard for ecclesiological research.

Contributors:
Christopher Brittain
Helen Cameron
Henk De Roest
Paul Fiddes
Matthew Guest
Roger Haight
Harald Hegstad
Mark Mulder
Paul Murray
James Nieman
Christian B. Scharen
James K. A. Smith
John Swinton
Pete Ward
Clare Watkins

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467436960
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	11/16/2012
Series:	Studies in Ecclesiology and Ethnography
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	188
File size:	316 KB

About the Author

Christian B. Scharen is vice president of applied research at Auburn Theological Seminary, New York.

Table of Contents

Contributors vii

Introduction Christian B. Scharen 1

Part 1 On Congregations and the Church

1 On the Dynamic Relation between Ecclesiology and Congregational Studies James Nieman Roger Haight 9

2 Ecclesiology and Empirical Research on the Church Harold Hegstad 34

Part 2 On Congregations and Worship

3 Affirming Faith at a Service of Baptism in St. Aldates Church, Oxford Paul S. Fiddes Pete Ward 51

4 Epiphanic Sacramentality: An Example of Practical Ecclesiology Revisioning Theological Understanding Clare Watkins Helen Cameron 71

Part 3 On Congregations and Society

5 Understanding Religion Takes Practice: Anti-Urban Bias, Geographical Habits, and Theological Influences Mark T. Mulder James K. A. Smith 93

6 Ethnography as Ecclesial Attentiveness and Critical Reflexivity: Fieldwork and the Dispute over Homosexuality in the Episcopal Church Christopher Craig Brittain 114

7 On Discerning the Living Truth of the Church: Theological and Sociological Reflections on Receptive Ecumenism and the Local Church Paul D. Murray Mathew Guest 138

8 God at Street Level: Digging Up the Theological Identity of Pastoral Care among the Homeless and Drug Addicts Henk de Roest 165

Index 176

Editorial Reviews

International Journal of Public Theology
"An engaging, thought provoking look at the concrete church in a range of social contexts."

Anglican Theological Review
"Innovative and insightful. . . . This volume is a must-read for any graduate student interested in qualitative research methods, as well as for theologians, church historians, philosophers of religion, social scientists, and all who are interested in the intersection between ecclesiological studies and the ethnographic research on topics that are germane to church, congregational studies, and society."

Theology
"The research is international in scope, interdisciplinary and ecumenical, and the authors use a wide range of methodologies. . . . Together, these enable connections to be made in ways that may be mutually informative and shaping. . . . In sum, ethnography does not reduce ecclesiology to contextual description; rather, it is through the 'thick description offered by ethnography that the theologian can begin to recognize that God's work in the Church far surpasses our more limited expectations and agendas."

Sociology of Religion
"What this volume of case studies does is make a strong argument for the utilization of sociological methods (and more than just ethnography) in pursuing theological understandings within congregational and pastor settings."

Mission Today
"All teachers and students of ecclesiology and all who would like to take the reality of the Church seriously would benefit much from reading this book."

From the Publisher