Fieldwork in Theology – Exploring the Social Context of God`s Work in the World

In this addition to the acclaimed The Church and Postmodern Culture series, leading practical theologian Christian Scharen examines the relationship between theology and its social context. He engages with social theorist Pierre Bourdieu to offer helpful theoretical and theological grounding to those who want to reflect critically on the faith and practice of the church, particularly for those undertaking ministry internships or fieldwork assignments. As Scharen helps a wide array of readers to understand the social context of doing theology, he articulates a vision for the church's involvement with what God is doing in the world and provides concrete examples of churches living out God's mission.

Christian Scharen (PhD, Emory University) is vice president of applied research at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, New York. He has authored a number of books, including One Step Closer, and is the book review editor of Ecclesial Practices.

"If you are interested in learning to read 'the world' and discern how God is at work in it, this simple book by one of today's finest practical theologians is an excellent place to start. Together with Pierre Bourdieu, whose work he tries to make fruitful for theological ethnography, Scharen argues that reading the world well requires 'conversion of the way we look at other people in the ordinary circumstances of life.'"-- Miroslav Volf , founding director, Yale Center for Faith and Culture, Yale Divinity School; author of A Public Faith " Fieldwork in Theology is remarkable in originality and scope. It combines a sophisticated parsing of social science theory with deep theological reflection to produce something that transcends both. Christian Scharen delivers an impassioned call for a carnal theology that seeks a disciplined understanding of the social world. Fieldwork in Theology deserves to be read by all who would seek to ground theology in the complexity of lived context."-- Omar M. McRoberts , associate professor of sociology, University of Chicago; author of Streets of Glory: Church and Community in a Black Urban Neighborhood "Christian Scharen marks a turning point in practical theology by arguing for the central place of qualitative empirical research in the study of the Christian church via a detailed engagement with continental philosophy. This book is an essential read for all of those embarking on ethnographic research in theology."-- Pete Ward , professorial fellow in ecclesiology and ethnography, Durham University; author of Perspectives on Ecclesiology and Ethnography "This book is not only for practical theologians, Christian anthropologists, and missiologists, but for all working in the guild of theological studies who realize that reconstructing Christian meaning today is impossible without somehow going fully 'native' in the many concrete contexts of our contemporary global village. Beyond understanding 'the field,' our continental philosophical interlocutors may even activate theologically informed practices that make a redemptive difference in the present time."-- Amos Yong , director, Center for Missiological Research, Fuller Theological Seminary; author of Spirit of Love

In this addition to the acclaimed The Church and Postmodern Culture series, leading practical theologian Christian Scharen examines the relationship between theology and its social context. He engages with social theorist Pierre Bourdieu to offer helpful theoretical and theological grounding to those who want to reflect critically on the faith and practice of the church, particularly for those undertaking ministry internships or fieldwork assignments. As Scharen helps a wide array of readers to understand the social context of doing theology, he articulates a vision for the church's involvement with what God is doing in the world and provides concrete examples of churches living out God's mission.

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