Christianity as Distinct Practices - (Rethinking Theologies: Constructing Alternatives in History) by Jan-Olav Henriksen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Jan-Olav Henriksen reconstructs and analyzes Christianity as a cluster of practices that manifest a distinct historically and contextually shaped mode of being in the world. Henriksen suggests that these practices imply a complicated relationship between the tradition in which they originate, the community that emerges from and is constituted by that tradition, and the individuals who appropriate the tradition that these communities mediate through their practices. Thus, to think of Christianity simply in terms of belief is misleading and represents an underdetermination of its distinct character.

Henriksen further argues this relationship needs to be described primarily as practices aimed at orientation and transformation. His analysis points to Christianity's similarity to other religions in regard to the functional or pragmatic dimensions it displays. Examining facets such as prayer, the use of scripture, preaching and doctrine, Henriksen emphasizes that the element that makes a practice distinctively Christian is how it relates to and is informed by the Jesus story.

Review Quotes

"I find Henriksen's arguments compelling ... [Pastors] and students will benefit from engagement with this dense and provocative work." - Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology

"Using 'practices' as its focus, this book explores the nature of Christian religion in new ways, such as its embodied, material, social and everyday character. Above all it convincingly argues how a practice-oriented account not only makes sense of, but also presupposes, core elements and narratives of Christian tradition as that which makes Christian practices meaningful. This provides for a convincing argument about its constructive potential for theology." --ULLA SCHMIDT, AARHUS UNIVERSITY, DENMARK

"In a context where the practices of the Church have become a central concern, Jan-Olav Henriksen offers a nuanced and provocative contribution from the Philosophy of Religion of this fast developing field. This book will be an enduring resource and dialogue partner for all of those who are setting out on the complicated enterprise of using theological ethnography as a means to study the lived practices of the Christian community." --PETE WARD, DURHAM UNIVERSITY, UK

About the Author