Empirical theology in texts and tables : : qualitative, quantitative and comparative perspectives / / edited by Leslie J. Francis, Mandy Robbins, Jeff Astley.

• Superior document: Empirical studies in theology, v. 17
• TeilnehmendeR: Francis, Leslie J.; Robbins, Mandy.; Astley, Jeff.
• Year of Publication: 2009
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Empirical studies in theology ; v. 17.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (424 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Empirical theology offers fresh and stimulating insights into the concerns of both the Church and the Academy. It does this by accessing relevant empirical evidence using the tools of the social sciences, and placing this evidence in the context of theological critique and contemporary debate. In this pioneering collection of focused essays, leading experts of empirical theology illustrate key perspectives within this rapidly expanding discipline. The first section of the book explores theoretical issues underpinning the main methods of obtaining empirical data, and the use of these data within theology. The other two sections display the role both of qualitative studies, and of the analysis of quantitative data, in exploring a range of theological beliefs and religious, social and educational concerns.

Table of Contents

Theoretical perspectives -- Establishing truth from participation and distanciation in empirical theology / Jaco S. Dreyer -- Truth and method in empirical theology / Hans Schilderman -- Religious identity in comparative research / Johannes A. van der Ven -- Epistemological reflections on the connection between ideas and data in empirical research into religion / Chris A.M. Hermans -- Towards a generic model of religious ritual / Hans Schilderman -- Comparative empirical research in religion : conceptual and operational challenges within empirical theology / Leslie J. Francis -- Qualitative perspectives -- Adolescents' views of denominational identities and of dialogical religious education : an empirical study from Germany / Friedrich Schweitzer -- Ordinary soteriology : a qualitative study / Ann Christie and Jeff Astley -- Narrative competence and the meaning of life : measuring the quality of life stories in a project on care for the elderly / Thijs Tromp and R. Ruard Ganzevoort -- The theological case for Christian schools in England and Wales : a qualitative perspective listening to female alumnae / Tania ap Sion, Leslie J. Francis and Sylvia Baker -- Quantitative perspectives -- Faith or morality? 'Theological sediments' depending on the centrality, content, and social context of personal religious construct systems / Stefan Huber and Constantin Klein -- Socialisation and empirical-theological models of the Trinity : a study among theology students in the United Kingdom / Mark J. Cartledge -- Religious socialisation in the family : a multi-dimensional and multi-level perspective / Sabine Zehnder Grob, Christoph Morgenthaler and Christoph Kappler -- Apostolic networks in Britain : personality and praxis / William K. Kay -- Xenophobia and religious pluralism : an empirical study among youth in Germany / Hans-Georg Ziebertz and Ulrich Riegel -- A church divided by theology and practice : the case of the admission of children to communion in the church in Wales / Keith Littler.