Linda Woodhead Book order

Why do people pray and in what situations and settings? Does prayer imply a god, and if so, what sort? A Sociology of Prayer addresses these fundamental questions and opens up important new debates. Drawing from religion, anthropology and historical perspectives, the contributors focus particularly on prayer as a social and personal matter, and situate prayer in the conditions of complex, late modern societies worldwide. Presenting fresh empirical data in relation to original theorising, the volume examines the material aspects of prayer, including the objects, bodies, symbols and spaces with which it may be integrally connected.

A candid and wide-ranging overview of the world's largest religion, Linda Woodhead distinguishes three main types of Christianity--Church, Biblical, and Mystical--examining their struggles with one another and with the wider society. Steering away from an idealistic approach, she considers Christianity's relations with worldly power and its attempts to achieve social, political, economic, and cultural dominance. Woodhead concludes by showing how those who had held the least power in Christianity--women and non-Europeans--have become increasingly central to its unfolding story.

This is a short, accessible analysis of Christianity that focuses on its social and cultural diversity as well as its historical dimensions.

Addresses the most pressing question in the study of religion today: are new forms of spirituality overtaking traditional forms of religion? This book provides a theoretical perspective which explains both secularization and sacralization. It offers some predictions about the future of religion and spirituality in the west.

The key figures, events and ideas of Christian history, discussed within their own context.

The collection of essays delves into Peter Berger's significant contributions to the sociology of religion, offering a thorough examination of his theories and their impact on contemporary thought. Key themes explored include the relationship between religion and modernity, secularization, and the role of religion in society. This in-depth study serves as both an introduction to Berger's work and a reflection on current trends in the field, making it essential for scholars and students interested in the dynamics of religion in the modern world.