Sociology, Theology and the Curriculum

The essays in this dialogue demonstrate how sociology can be enriched by the scrutiny and insights of theology, and how the proper subject matter of theology can be illuminated by the theories and empirical methodlogies of sociology. Within this work: theologians reflect on sociological method, explore social theories of the human agent and offer a theological transformation of sociology; sociological methods are employed to interpret the Toronto blessing, to understand glossolalia, to interrogate church leavers, to give voice to gay and lesbian Christians, to explore the development of local non-stipendiary ministry, and to identify the roots of church growth; a focus is placed upon the church college and its students, highlighting the interplay between the church college as an area of sociological interest itself, and as an institution where sociology is studied.