Religious Studies: The Making of a DisciplineSince its inception almost 200 years ago, the study of religion has informed, enlightened, provoked, and challenged our notions of humanity's deepest beliefs and longings. Now Walter Capps, nationally recognized for the quality and depth of his teaching, has written the first full-scale introduction to the history and methods of religious studies. To assess the many points of view in this mature but diffuse discipline. Capps uses the idea that four basic of fundamental questions and three enduring interests have given formal structure to the study of religion: the essence of religion; the origin of religion, descriptions of religion; the function of religion, the language of religion, comparisons of religion and, the future of religious studies. In this way Capps relates the chief insights and theories of philosophy, anthropology, phenomenology, sociology, and theology of religion, and spotlights theorists from Immanuel Kant to Mircea Eliade. His valuable text unites in a single narrative and conceptual framework the major methodological proposals for the academic study of religion; treats all the major theorists in their respective disciplines, schools of thought, and intellectual movements; treats the whole discipline as a dynamic and evolving tradition. Religious Studies constitutes not only an erudite introduction to the field, exhibiting vast scholarship and careful assessment, but also a bold synthetic proposal for its future. |
Contents
THE ORIGIN OF RELIGION | 15 |
THE DESCRIPTION OF RELIGION | 15 |
THE FUNCTION OF RELIGION | 15 |
THE LANGUAGE OF RELIGION | 15 |
THE COMPARISON OF RELIGIONS | 15 |
THE FUTURE OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES | 19 |
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analysis approach attitude believed belong Bleeker chapter Christian religion Comparison of Religions comprehensive conception consciousness core element cultural D. Z. Phillips deity Descartes disciplines distinction Durkheim dynamics E. B. Tylor essence of religion example expression factors forms Function of Religion fundamental Geo Widengren gion gious history of religions human Husserl identify Immanuel Kant influence inquiry insights intellectual intention interest interpretation Kant Kant's Kantian knowledge Leeuw ligion means mental methodological methods modal mode monotheism nature normative organization orientation Origin of Religion Otto paradigm patterns phenomena phenomenology of religion philosophy portrayal primitive principle proposed question reality recognized reference reflection regarding relationship reli Religious Studies religious traditions Rudolf Otto sacred scholars sense sine qua sine qua non social society sociology of religion specific spirit structure study of religion symbolic theological theory thought Tiele Tillich tion truth Tylor understanding understood Weber words