Systems Theory And Theology

Author : Niklas Luhmann
Publisher : Stanford University Press
Page : 320 pages
File Size : 41,5 Mb
Release : 2013-01-09
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9780804787932

Get Book

A Systems Theory of Religion by Niklas Luhmann Pdf

A Systems Theory of Religion, still unfinished at Niklas Luhmann's death in 1998, was first published in German two years later thanks to the editorial work of André Kieserling. One of Luhmann's most important projects, it exemplifies his later work while redefining the subject matter of the sociology of religion. Religion, for Luhmann, is one of the many functionally differentiated social systems that make up modern society. All such subsystems consist entirely of communications and all are "autopoietic," which is to say, self-organizing and self-generating. Here, Luhmann explains how religion provides a code for coping with the complexity, opacity, and uncontrollability of our world. Religion functions to make definite the indefinite, to reconcile the immanent and the transcendent. Synthesizing approaches as disparate as the philosophy of language, historical linguistics, deconstruction, and formal systems theory/cybernetics, A Systems Theory of Religion takes on important topics that range from religion's meaning and evolution to secularization, turning decades of sociological assumptions on their head. It provides us with a fresh vocabulary and a fresh philosophical and sociological approach to one of society's most fundamental phenomena.

Author : Markus Locker
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
Page : 242 pages
File Size : 51,9 Mb
Release : 2011-01-01
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781606087398

Get Book

Systems Theory and Theology by Markus Locker Pdf

The contributions to the collection explore the interplay between systems theory, religion and theology, and the symbolic expressions and philosophical foundations of these academic disciplines. This endeavor is rooted in the oeuvre of the late Austrian physicist Alfred Locker (1922-2005), who firmly believed that systems theory would finally emerged, some sixty years after Bertalanffy's seminal work on General System Theory, as a bridge-building metatheory between the sciences and religion. The studies contained in this collection enter into a critical evaluation and reassessment of the dominant postulates of scientific and theological systems and their interaction, including treatments of paradoxes (A. Locker), the inner sciences (Zwick), systems of meaning (Krieger), philosophy (Murphy), theology (Sedmak), isomorphies of religious symbols (Zwick), and the bridging of science and religion (A. Locker).

Author : Markus Locker
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
Page : 246 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2011-01-01
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781498273091

Get Book

Systems Theory and Theology by Markus Locker Pdf

The contributions to the collection Systems Theory and Theology explore the interplay between systems theory, religion and theology, and the symbolic expressions and philosophical foundations of these academic disciplines. This endeavor is rooted in the oeuvre of the late Austrian physicist Alfred Locker (1922-2005), who firmly believed that systems theory would finally emerge, some sixty years after von Bertalanffy's seminal work on General System Theory, as a bridge-building metatheory between the sciences and religion. The essays in this volume show, however, that such conversation transcends the usual form of dialogue among these disciplines. The studies contained in this collection enter into a critical evaluation and reassessment of the dominant postulates of scientific and theological systems and their interaction. Systems Theory and Theology includes treatments of paradoxes (A. Locker), the inner sciences (Zwick), systems of meaning (Krieger), philosophy (Murphy), theology (Sedmak), isomorphies of religious symbols (Zwick), and the bridging of science and religion (M. Locker).

Author : Matthew Zaro Fisher
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 52,7 Mb
Release : 2015
Category : Electronic
ISBN : OCLC:1402887489

Get Book

Theology and the Entropic Condition by Matthew Zaro Fisher Pdf

Author : Ivan Petrella
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 312 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2017-03-02
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781351889124

Get Book

The Future of Liberation Theology by Ivan Petrella Pdf

The Future of Liberation Theology envisions a radical new direction for Latin American liberation theology. One of a new generation of Latin American theologians, Ivan Petrella shows that despite the current dominance of 'end of history' ideology, liberation theologians need not abandon their belief that the theological rereading of Christianity must be linked to the development of 'historical projects' - models of political and economic organization that would replace an unjust status quo. In the absence of historical projects, liberation theology currently finds itself unable to move beyond merely talking about liberation toward actually enacting it in society. Providing a bold new interpretation of the current state and potential future of liberation theology, Ivan Petrella brings together original research on the movement, with developments in political theory, critical legal theory and political economy to reconstruct liberation theology's understanding of theology, democracy and capitalism. The result is the recovery of historical projects, thus allowing liberation theologians to once again place the reality of liberation, and not just the promise, at the forefront of their task.

Author : Wallace M. Alston,Michael Welker
Publisher : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Page : 470 pages
File Size : 49,5 Mb
Release : 2003
Category : Religion
ISBN : 0802847765

Get Book

Reformed Theology by Wallace M. Alston,Michael Welker Pdf

Christian theology, classically defined, is faith's intellectual work of seeking understanding, not in order to prove its truth but to persuade those who hear it proclaimed. Theology done from within the Reformed tradition has long displayed this quality, and it continues to develop in response to our changing world. "Reformed Theology: Identity and Ecumenicity" is an excellent resource for readers interested in examining current trends and motifs in Reformed thought. Written by systematic theologians from around the world, this book explores the meaning of the Reformed tradition and its relevance for the contemporary church. The contributors highlight ways that Reformed theology can enrich the church ecumenical even as they seek to realize a more catholic Reformed community of inquiry. Contributors: P. Mark Achtemeier Wallace M. Alston Jr. H. Russel Botman Eberhard Busch Dawn DeVries Margit Ernst Gabriel Fackre Douglas Farrow David Fergusson Botond Gaal Colin Gunton George Hunsinger William Stacy Johnson Yung Han Kim Ulrich H. J. Kortner Jan Milič Lochman Bruce L. McCormack Peter McEnhill Daniel L. Migliore Piet J. Naude Milan Opocě nsky Jan Rohls Dirk Smit George W. Stroup A. van de Beek Leanne Van Dyk Michael Weinrich Michael Welker Myung Yong Kim Carver T. Yu

Author : Thomas R Shannon
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 272 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2018-02-20
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9780429973789

Get Book

An Introduction To The World-system Perspective by Thomas R Shannon Pdf

Methodology -- Cultural Analysis -- Summary and Conclusion -- 8 An Assessment of World-System Theory -- Strengths -- Weaknesses -- Other Directions in the Study of Global Change -- Summary and Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography -- About the Book and Author -- Index

Author : Matthew Ryan Robinson,Evan F. Kuehn
Publisher : Lexington Books
Page : 161 pages
File Size : 43,5 Mb
Release : 2019-10-17
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781978704091

Get Book

Theology Compromised by Matthew Ryan Robinson,Evan F. Kuehn Pdf

Theological work, whatever else it may be, is always a reflection on social transformations. Not only pastors but also theologians work with the sources of the Christian traditions in one hand and a newspaper in the other. But how are we to understand the relationship between social transformations and the continuously “compromised” development of Christian ideals, as these are measured by doctrinal formulations? And how might a more deeply sociological perspective on this relationship inform theological work? Matthew Ryan Robinson and Evan F. Kuehn approach this question, not by reconstructing a history of ideas, but rather by telling a story about the development of churches and theological institutions. They take the turbulent and dynamic ecclesiological situation of nineteenth-century Germany as a representative case, focusing on the sociological methodological orientation of Friedrich Schleiermacher and Ernst Troeltsch in the context of the rise of theological liberalism, the history of religions, and the German churches’ confrontation with social and political challenges. Robinson and Kuehn then connect this orientation with the sociology of religion of Hans Joas and Niklas Luhmann, arguing for a functional focus in theological research on what doctrines do rather than what the reality behind or in any particular doctrine is.

Author : Matti Kamppinen
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 144 pages
File Size : 41,6 Mb
Release : 2010
Category : Intentionality (Philosophy)
ISBN : 077341665X

Get Book

Intentional Systems Theory as a Conceptual Framework for Religious Studies by Matti Kamppinen Pdf

This book investigates the philosophical assumptions in religious studies, especially in ethnography of religion. The central claim is that religious studies treats its study object as an intentional system. This systemOCOs behaviour can be described, explained and predicted on the basis of its internal representations."

Author : Matthew Ryan Robinson,Inja Inderst
Publisher : Evangelische Verlagsanstalt
Page : 328 pages
File Size : 40,6 Mb
Release : 2022-07-26
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9783374070305

Get Book

What Does Theology Do, Actually? by Matthew Ryan Robinson,Inja Inderst Pdf

»What Does Theology Do, Actually? Observing Theology and the Transcultural« is to be the first in a series of 5 books, each presented under the same question – »What Does Theology Do, Actually?«, with vols. 2–5 focusing on one of the theological subdisciplines. This first volume proceeds from the observation of a need for a highly inflected »trans-cultural«, and not simply »inter-cultural«, set of perspectives in theological work and training. The revolution brought about across the humanities disciplines through globalization and the recognition of »multiple modernities« has introduced a diversity of overlapping cultural content and multiple cultural and religious belongings not only into academic work in the humanities and social sciences, but into the Christian churches as well.

Author : Thomas St. James O’Connor
Publisher : Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press
Page : 168 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2006-01-01
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780889206618

Get Book

Clinical Pastoral Supervision and the Theology of Charles Gerkin by Thomas St. James O’Connor Pdf

In the last twenty years, the number of texts written on clinical pastoral supervision has accelerated. Thomas St. James O’Connor analyzes these texts, nearly 300 of them, in light of three fundamental questions about the praxis of clinical pastoral supervision: (1)what is distinctive about the praxis? (2)what is an appropriate theological method for the praxis? and, (3)what is an adequate praxis? In doing so, he formulates three approaches: the social science, the hermeneutic and the special interest. Looking at the theology of Charles Gerkin, a pastoral theologian and family therapist, O’Connor develops a conversation between Gerkin’s theology and the texts. The theological methods in the three approaches are critiqued and Gerkin’s praxis/theory/praxis method is endorsed. Case examples are used throughout to illustrate theory and issues discussed and to aid in the presentation of an adequate praxis. Clinical Pastoral Supervision and the Theology of Charles Gerkin provides a unique overview of the history and current state of clinical pastoral supervision and an understanding of its methodology and theological foundations. More than that, it builds on the practical theory of Charles Gerkin, expanding it for immediate use in the practice of ministry.

Author : Erwin Fahlbusch,Geoffrey William Bromiley
Publisher : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Page : 897 pages
File Size : 53,9 Mb
Release : 2008-02-14
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780802824172

Get Book

The Encyclodedia of Christianity, Vol. 5 by Erwin Fahlbusch,Geoffrey William Bromiley Pdf

Written by leading scholars from around the world, the articles in this volume range from sin, Sufism and terrorism to theology in the 19th and 20th centuries, Vatican I and II and the virgin birth.

Author : Mark Graves
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 290 pages
File Size : 49,5 Mb
Release : 2016-04-22
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781317095859

Get Book

Mind, Brain and the Elusive Soul by Mark Graves Pdf

Does science argue against the existence of the human soul? Many scientists and scholars believe the whole is more than the sum of the parts. This book uses information and systems theory to describe the "more" that does not reduce to the parts. One sees this in the synapses”or apparently empty gaps between the neurons in one's brain”where informative relationships give rise to human mind, culture, and spirituality. Drawing upon the disciplines of cognitive science, computer science, neuroscience, general systems theory, pragmatic philosophy, and Christian theology, Mark Graves reinterprets the traditional doctrine of the soul as form of the body to frame contemporary scientific study of the human soul.

Author : Jenny Brown,Lauren Errington
Publisher : Family Systems Practice
Page : 326 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2019-10-08
Category : Family & Relationships
ISBN : 064857850X

Get Book

Bowen Family Systems Theory in Christian Ministry by Jenny Brown,Lauren Errington Pdf

Bowen family systems theory in Christian ministry, Grappling with theory and its application through a biblical lens: is a collection of papers by Christian leaders and thinkers about how family systems thinking may be useful for people working out how to love and serve others well in their ministry and work.

Author : Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore
Publisher : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Page : 335 pages
File Size : 41,7 Mb
Release : 2012-02-02
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780802865342

Get Book

Christian Theology in Practice by Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore Pdf

For the past fifty years, scholars in both pastoral and practical theology have attempted to recapture human religious experience and practice as essential sites for theological engagement -- redefining in the process what theology is, how it is done, and who does it. In this book Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore shows how this trend in scholarship has led to an expanded subject matter, alternative ways of knowing, and richer terms for analysis in doing Christian theology. Tracing more than two decades of her own search for a more inclusive discipline -- one that truly grapples with theology in the midst of life -- Christian Theology in Practice shows not only where Miller-McLemore herself has traveled in the field but also how pastoral and practical theology has developed during this time. Looking forward, Miller-McLemore calls on the academy and Christian congregations to disrupt conventional theological boundaries and to acknowledge the multiplicity of shapes and places in which the "wisdom of God" appears..