Anthropology, theology, critique

This article reflects on one potential relationship the anthropological study of religion might enjoy with a critical orientation to religion. To do so, I highlight a burgeoning (but tenuous) dialog between anthropology and theology. Ultimately, I propose that a focus on religion and human flourishi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCritical research on religion Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 28 - 34
Main Author Bielo, James S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.04.2018
Subjects
Anthropology
prophetic critique
theology
public religion
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Summary:This article reflects on one potential relationship the anthropological study of religion might enjoy with a critical orientation to religion. To do so, I highlight a burgeoning (but tenuous) dialog between anthropology and theology. Ultimately, I propose that a focus on religion and human flourishing provides one wavelength on which an anthropology–theology collaboration can thrive. I follow the observation that anthropologists and theologians are united by concern with shared problems. If human and social flourishing is one such problem, then what might a collaborative configuration look like? The example I consider is how ethnographic evidence of religion in public life can be mobilized to advance prophetic theological critiques of injustice.
ISSN:2050-3032
2050-3040
DOI:10.1177/2050303218757323