Ecclesiology in the Trenches

by Sune Fahlgren (Editor), Jonas Idestrïm (Editor), Gerard Mannion (Foreword by)

Overview

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 analyzing 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498208642
Publisher:	Pickwick Publications
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Series:	Church of Sweden Research , #10
Edition description:	10th ed.
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

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 (2013).

Jonas Idestrom 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 (2010).

Table of Contents

Foreword: The Point of Ecclesiology Gerard Mannion ix

1 Ecclesiology Under Construction: A Report from a Working-Site Sven-Erik Brodd 1

Part 1 Systematic Ecclesiology under Construction 29

2 Ecclesiology as Juxtaposition of Social Theory, Hermeneutics, and Theology: Learnings from a Dissertation on Afrikaner Theology Hans Engdahl 31

3 Systematic Ecclesiology as Primary Ecclesiology Michael Hjalm 49

4 To Compare or Not to Compare, That is the Question: Some Thoughts on Comparative Method in Ecclesiology Tiit Pädam 63

5 Reflections on Understanding Ecclesiology Harald Hegstad 75

Part 2 Empirical Ecclesiology under Construction 85

6 Studying Fundamental Ecclesial Practices Sune Fahlgren 87

7 The Active and Concrete Church: Operative Ecclesiologies in the Visitation of the Sick in the Middle Ages and Reformation Stina Fallberg Sundmark 106

8 Implicit Ecclesiology and Local Church Identity: Dealing with Dilemmas of Empirical Ecclesiology Jonas Ideström 121

9 Reflections on Particularity and Unity Clare Watkins 139

Part 3 Embedded Ecclesiology under Construction 155

10 Ecclesiology in Liturgical Texts: In Search of a Method Karin Oljelund 157

11 Church Floor Plans as Ecclesiological Texts Gunnar Weman 173

12 (De)gendering Ecclesiology: Reflections on the Church as a Gendered Body Ninna Edgardh 193

13 Reflections on The Church at Worship and the "Lieutenant Nun" Teresa Berger 208

Bibliography 221

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This outstanding collection of consistently high-quality essays brings the reader deep into the exciting discussions at the intersection of ecclesiology and its material, and social forms and conditions. The book convincingly displays the fruitfulness of constructive ecclesiology when it attends to these conditions. Those unfamiliar with the essential work in this area in Scandanavia will find it especially enlightening."
—Nicholas M. Healy, Ph.D., Professor, Theology and Religious Studies, St. John's University, New York

"This volume succeeds in being not just another collection of essays, but a compelling report of ecclesiology 'under construction.' The editors skillfully gather and introduce a variety of approaches to ecclesiology, enabling the reader to see them from a complementary standpoint. Bridging divides, integrating doctrine and empirical research, truly interdisciplinary and sensitive to ethics and worship, this book is an indispensable tool for making an ecclesiology for today, and is a tribute to the clear vision of the editors."
—Professor Paul S. Fiddes, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Oxford, Director of Research, Regent's Park College, Oxford

Editorial Reviews

"This outstanding collection of consistently high-quality essays brings the reader deep into the exciting discussions at the intersection of ecclesiology and its material, and social forms and conditions. The book convincingly displays the fruitfulness of constructive ecclesiology when it attends to these conditions. Those unfamiliar with the essential work in this area in Scandanavia will find it especially enlightening."
—Nicholas M. Healy, Ph.D., Professor, Theology and Religious Studies, St. John's University, New York

"This volume succeeds in being not just another collection of essays, but a compelling report of ecclesiology 'under construction.' The editors skillfully gather and introduce a variety of approaches to ecclesiology, enabling the reader to see them from a complementary standpoint. Bridging divides, integrating doctrine and empirical research, truly interdisciplinary and sensitive to ethics and worship, this book is an indispensable tool for making an ecclesiology for today, and is a tribute to the clear vision of the editors."
—Professor Paul S. Fiddes, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Oxford, Director of Research, Regent's Park College, Oxford

From the Publisher