Theology: Mission Studies: Anthropology

Drawing from ethnographic examples found throughout the world, this revised and updated text offers an introduction to what anthropologists know or think about religion, how they have studied it, and how they have interpreted or explained it since the late nineteenth century. Robert Winzeler's balanced consideration of classic topics, basic concepts, and new developments in the anthropological study of religion moves beyond cultural anthropology and ethnography to gather information from physical anthropology, prehistory, and archaeology. Written as a sophisticated but accessible treatment of the issues, Anthropology and Religion is a key text for upper-division courses.

Introduction: Continuities and contradictions in postcolonial African anthropologies -- Men, women, temporality and critical ethnography in Africa - the imperative for a transdisciplinary conversation -- Humanising the Congolese 'Other': Love, research and reflexivity in Muizenberg, South Africa -- Research, knowledge and power: A case study of interaction between an anthropologist and a 'community' over three decades -- Mapping journeys through landscape: Phenomenological explorations of environment amongst rural AIDS orphans -- Re-imagining identity in the southwest Indian Ocean -- Border crossing: Exploring the impact of African scholarship on Indian witchcraft studies -- Elites, ethnographic encounters and the 'native' ethnographer in contemporary Africa -- African trysts: Re-imagining the Saharan divide -- Conclusion: Incompleteness and conviviality. Towards an anthropology of intimacies.

Ritual and Belief: Readings in the Anthropology of Religion is a collection of 41 readings in religion, magic, and witchcraft. The choice of readings is eclectic: no single anthropological approach or theoretical perspective dominates the text. Theoretical significance, scholarly eminence of the author, and inherent interest provide the principal criteria, and each reading complements its companion chapters, which are pedagogically coherent rather than ad hoc assemblages. Included among the theoretical perspectives are structural-functionalism, structuralism, Malinowskian functionalism, cultural materialism, and cultural evolutionism; also included are the synchronic and diachronic approaches. The book offers a mixture of classic readings and more recent contributions, and the 'world religions' are included along with examples from the religions of traditionally non-literate cultures. As diverse a range of religious traditions as possible has been embraced, from various ethnic groups, traditions, and places.

This concise and accessible textbook introduces students to the anthropological study of religion. Stein and Stein examine religious expression from a cross-cultural perspective and expose students to the varying complexity of world religions. The chapters incorporate key theoretical concepts and a rich range of ethnographic material. The fourth edition of The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft offers: * increased coverage of new religious movements, fundamentalism, and religion and conflict/violence; * fresh case study material with examples drawn from around the globe; * further resources via a comprehensive companion website. This is an essential guide for students encountering anthropology of religion for the first time.

A leading evangelical anthropologist/missiologist provides students of intercultural ministry with an understanding of worldview and a strategy for effective, long-term ministry.