Synopsis
The field of ecclesiology is rapidly expanding as new material, theories, methods, and approaches are being explored. This raises important and challenging questions concerning ecclesiology as an academic discipline. This book takes the reader into the trenches of ecclesiological research where the actual work of reading, writing, interpreting, and analysing is being done. The authors reflect on fundamental questions concerning theory and method in ecclesiology in relation to concrete and actual research projects. Ecclesiology is dealt with as a systematic, empirical, historical, and liturgical discipline. Essays explore theology in South Africa as shaped by apartheid, liturgical theology, the diaconate in an ecumenical context, Free Church preachership, suburban ecclesial identity, medieval church practices, liturgical texts, church floor plans, and ecclesiology as a gendered discipline. Ecclesiology in the Trenches is a book for anyone who is interested and involved in ecclesiological research. It is also an example of a reflective approach to academic work. The book can be read as an overall argument for ecclesiology as a theological discipline with great potential for studying the church as a theologically defined empirical phenomenon.
Table of Contents
Foreword: The Point of Ecclesiology Gerard Mannion
1 Ecclesiology Under Construction: A Report from a Working-Site Sven-Erik Brodd
Part One: Systematic Ecclesiology under Construction
2 Ecclesiology as Juxtaposition of Social Theory, Hermeneutics, and Theology: Learnings from a Dissertation on Afrikaner Theology Hans Engdahl
3 Systematic Ecclesiology as Primary Ecclesiology Michael Hjälm
4 To Compare or Not to Compare, That is the Question: Some Thoughts on Comparative Method in Ecclesiology Tiit Pädam
5 Reflections on Understanding Ecclesiology Harald Hegstad
Part Two: Empirical Ecclesiology under Construction
6 Studying Fundamental Ecclesial Practices Sune Fahlgren
7 The Active and Concrete Church: Operative Ecclesiologies in the Visitation of the Sick in the Middle Ages and Reformation Stina Fallberg Sundmark
8 Implicit Ecclesiology and Local Church Identity: Dealing with Dilemmas of Empirical Ecclesiology Jonas Ideström
9 Reflections on Particularity and Unity Clare Watkins
Part Three: Embedded Ecclesiology under Construction
10 Ecclesiology in Liturgical Texts: In Search of a Method Karin Oljelund
11 Church Floor Plans as Ecclesiological Texts Gunnar Weman
12 (De)gendering Ecclesiology: Reflections on the Church as a Gendered Body Ninna Edgardh
13 Reflections on The Church at Worship and the "Lieutenant Nun" Teresa Berger
Bibliography
About the Author
Sune Fahlgren is Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Stockholm School of Theology. He is the author of Shalom Inshallah: Encountering Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Jonas Ideström is a researcher at Church of Sweden Research Unit. He is the editor of For the Sake of the World: Swedish Ecclesiology in Dialogue with William T. Cavanaugh.
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