A Doxological Response to the Problem of Disenchantment
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Robert Rae
Abstract
In recent years, much attention has been paid to the problem of disenchantment, perhaps most notably in the extensive work of Charles Taylor. This article examines the disenchantment narrative as formulated by Max Weber and appropriated by Charles Taylor, and augment this with the perspective offered by Jason Josephson-Storm and other interlocutors, to generate a reading suitable for theological use. It suggests ways in which the human person and society might be affected by disenchantment. Finally, it explores means by which prayer might be used as a resource for dealing with the causes and symptoms of disenchantment, following the example of Andrew Prevot’s careful exploration of prayer as a source of Christian thought. Prevot’s concept of doxological theology (‘thinking prayer’) is particularly useful for resisting what he identifies as three crises of modernity: secularity, the fate of Western metaphysics, and socioeconomic and identity-based violence. This describes the imperative for studies in this area: insofar as the process of disenchantment contributes to the systematic violence and dehumanisation inherent in modernity, it is vital to explore the mechanics of that process and possible tools to combat it.
Zusammenfassung
Dieser Aufsatz bietet eine Relektüre des religionssoziologischen Entzauberungsnarrativs mithilfe des Philosophen Jason Josephson-Storm und des Theologen Andrew Prevot. Er erkundet dabei insbesondere, wie die von Prevot entwickelte „doxologische Theologie“ am Ort der einzelnen Glaubenden zum Mittel werden kann, mit den Herausforderungen umzugehen, die aus der „Entzauberung der Welt“ für den Vollzug christlichen Glaubens und die friedvolle Gestaltung der modernen Lebenswelt entstehen.
© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
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- Frontmatter
- Frontmatter
- Editorials
- A Passion for Clear Writing
- New Section of Booknotes Online Launched: Tell the Community about New, Exciting Publications!
- International Report
- Is Poland Still the Bulwark of Christendom?
- Research Report
- Another World? Practical Wisdom for the End-Times
- Research Articles
- Research Supervision as a Spiritual Ministry: A Confluence of Object Relations, Psychodynamics and Grace
- A Doxological Response to the Problem of Disenchantment
- In (Partial) Defence of the Monologue Sermon
- A Pilgrim’s Performance: Practical Theology as Convening
- A New-Old Spirituality: How Spirituality has Softened and Revitalized Religion
- “God Has Commanded Me”: A Spiritual Code of a Traditional Birth Attendance (TBA)
- Book Reviews
- Ignatius Swart, Auli Vähäkangas, Marlize Rabe, Annette Leis-Peters (eds.), Stuck in the Margins? Young People and Faith-Based Organisations in South African and Nordic Localities, Göttingen (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht) 2022, 341 pp., ISBN 9783525568552, €100.00
- Birgit Weyel, Wilhelm Gräb, Emmanuel Y. Lartey, Cas Wepener (eds.), International Handbook of Practical Theology, Berlin / Boston (Walter de Gruyter) 2022, 824 pp., ISBN 9783110644555, €82.95 (De Gruyter Reference) – for open access, see: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110618150/html#contents
- Veronice Miles, Embodied Hope: A Homiletical Theology Reflection, Eugene, OR (Cascade Books) 2021, 268 pp., ISBN 9781532699863, $32.00 USD
- Ryan LaMothe, Pastoral Care in the Anthropocene Age: Facing a Dire Future Now, Lanham ML (Lexington Books) 2022, 213pp., ISBN 9781793641472 (e-book: 9781793641489), $100.00 USD
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Frontmatter
- Editorials
- A Passion for Clear Writing
- New Section of Booknotes Online Launched: Tell the Community about New, Exciting Publications!
- International Report
- Is Poland Still the Bulwark of Christendom?
- Research Report
- Another World? Practical Wisdom for the End-Times
- Research Articles
- Research Supervision as a Spiritual Ministry: A Confluence of Object Relations, Psychodynamics and Grace
- A Doxological Response to the Problem of Disenchantment
- In (Partial) Defence of the Monologue Sermon
- A Pilgrim’s Performance: Practical Theology as Convening
- A New-Old Spirituality: How Spirituality has Softened and Revitalized Religion
- “God Has Commanded Me”: A Spiritual Code of a Traditional Birth Attendance (TBA)
- Book Reviews
- Ignatius Swart, Auli Vähäkangas, Marlize Rabe, Annette Leis-Peters (eds.), Stuck in the Margins? Young People and Faith-Based Organisations in South African and Nordic Localities, Göttingen (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht) 2022, 341 pp., ISBN 9783525568552, €100.00
- Birgit Weyel, Wilhelm Gräb, Emmanuel Y. Lartey, Cas Wepener (eds.), International Handbook of Practical Theology, Berlin / Boston (Walter de Gruyter) 2022, 824 pp., ISBN 9783110644555, €82.95 (De Gruyter Reference) – for open access, see: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110618150/html#contents
- Veronice Miles, Embodied Hope: A Homiletical Theology Reflection, Eugene, OR (Cascade Books) 2021, 268 pp., ISBN 9781532699863, $32.00 USD
- Ryan LaMothe, Pastoral Care in the Anthropocene Age: Facing a Dire Future Now, Lanham ML (Lexington Books) 2022, 213pp., ISBN 9781793641472 (e-book: 9781793641489), $100.00 USD
