USJ Doctoral Forum in Religious Studies and Philosophy | “Practical Theology and Religious Studies – Developing Imagination, Reflexivity and Wisdom for Research in the Field”
USJ Doctoral Forum in Religious Studies and Philosophy | "Practical Theology and Religious Studies - Developing Imagination, Reflexivity and Wisdom for Research in the Field"
06
Jun
The USJ Doctoral School and the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy are organising a Doctoral Forum titled “Practical Theology and Religious Studies – Developing Imagination, Reflexivity and Wisdom for Research in the Field” on 6 June 2025 in the Conference Room of the Seminary Campus.
Abstract:
Practical Theology is, by nature, open to the insights from social sciences. It attends to sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, political studies and linguistics. Following the work of James Hopewell, Nicholas Healy and others, this seminar invites us to begin reading and interpreting churches and denominations as cultures rather than measuring their beliefs and practices against theological claims.
George Lindbeck approached and interpreted theology and religion as a cultural-linguistic phenomenon. He viewed theology and religion as ‘regulative’ for culture, devising rules and codes that enabled religious institutions to navigate and avoid, or resist or adopt, cultural norms. Drawing on Mark C. Taylor, Peter Berger and others, we outline what it is to explore and explain religion and theology through the more indirect economic, social, political and historical evidence that can illuminates the context in which religions and theologies gestate. This requires reflexivity in Practical Theology, as well as imagination and humility in approaching fields such as ecclesiology. Wisdom and critical illumination can emerge through the refining processes of open, textured theological conversation.
Key Words: Practical Theology, Culture, Fieldwork and Research, Social Sciences and Theology, Reflexivity, Wisdom, Ecclesiology.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Martyn Percy is a British academic, educator, social scientist and theologian. He served as Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, from 2014 to 2022 and principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, from 2004 to 2014. Since 2023 he has been Professor of Religion and Culture in the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy at University of Saint Joseph in Macao. He is Honorary Provost Theologian in Hong Kong andHonorary Canon Theologian for the European Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. He is also retained as a research professor for the Institut für Christkatholische Theologie, Theologische Fakultät, Universität Bern, Switzerland.
Details:
Date: Friday, 6 June 2025
Time: 19:00 – 22:00 (GMT+8)
Location: Multi-function Room in the Seminary Campus of University of Saint Joseph (5, Largo de Santo Agostinho)
Language: English
Organised by USJ’s Doctoral School, and USJ’s Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy
Meeting ID: 863 1348 7688
Passcode: 419062
*This is a free event and open to the general public.
