Christian Language and its Mutations: Essays in Sociological Understanding

by Martin,David

• ISBN13: 9780754607403
• ISBN10: 0754607402
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781351951821
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2002-11-28
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Christian Language and its Mutations explores how Christian language alters in various social, cultural, historical and religious contexts. Having delineated the core language of Christianity, David Martin analyses how it mutates in different historical and social contexts, notably: peace and war; the arts - particularly painting and music; the sacred space (the city) and the sacred text (the liturgy); education; and the global situation of Christianity and contemporary secular society - evangelicalism, rational religion, Pentecostalism and Base Communities. Presenting a unique perspective to show how and why Christianity alters according to context, this book will prove insightful and accessible to students, clergy and general readers alike. David Martin is Honorary Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Lancaster University, and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the London School of Economics, UK. He is the author of some two dozen books, including many landmark titles in the sociology of religion

Author Biography

David Martin is Honorary Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Lancaster University, and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the London School of Economics, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Acknowledgements and Cognate References	ix
PART I FUNDAMENTALS
Introduction to Part I	3	(2)
The Language of Christianity	5	(18)
Suggested Reading: Part I	17	(4)
PART II THE RELIGIOUS--POLITICAL TENSION
Introduction to Part II	21	(2)
Christianity, the Church, War and the World Council of Churches	23	(10)
Christianity: Converting and Converted	33	(14)
Suggested Reading: Part II	41	(4)
PART III THE RELIGIOUS--AESTHETIC TENSION
Introduction to Part III	45	(2)
Music and Religion: Ambivalence Towards the Aesthetic	47	(22)
Sacred and Secular in Handel's Reception	69	(14)
Prophecy, Time and Christian Art	83	(16)
Suggested Reading: Part III	93	(4)
PART IV SACRED--SECULAR DYNAMICS IN THE CITY
Introduction to Part IV	97	(2)
Religion and Politics in the Space and Time of the City	99	(6)
Changing your Holy Ground: The Spatial Ecology of Sacred and Secular at Centre and Periphery	105	(22)
Suggested Reading: Part IV	121	(4)
PART V INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS TO MODERNITY
Introduction to Part V	125	(2)
Retrospective Reflections on the Sacred and the Prayer Book	127	(8)
Alternative Visions and Constraints: Religious Education	135	(10)
The Political Economy of Baptism	145	(8)
Believing without Belonging: A Commentary on Religion in England	153	(10)
Suggested Reading: Part V	157	(4)
PART VI ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES TO MODERNITY
Introduction to Part VI	161	(2)
Enlightenment: Dialogue and Conflict	163	(8)
Unitarianism: A Space in England for Rational Religion and Social Enlightenment?	171	(10)
Pentecostalism, Base Communities and Competition in Latin American Religion	181	(6)
On Evangelical Christianity: A Review	187	(20)
Global Christianity	207	(10)
Suggested Reading: Part VI	215	(2)
Index	217