A Methodological Afterword
A Methodological Afterword
Chapter 7 offers reflections on the methodology that the book uses. The methodology includes historical and ecumenical study involving the serious probing of historic claims to consensus and the “reception” of those claims in Christian communities. The methodology distinguishes “doctrine” (communal teaching) from “theology” (any critical reflection on religious teachings) and “popular religion” (the actual beliefs of people, whether or not they have been formally affirmed by communities). It concludes with reflections on the difficulty and the possibility of communication and understanding across wide cultural and linguistic boundaries, because cross-cultural understanding is necessary for the claims the book has made.
Keywords: historical study, ecumenical study, reception, doctrine, popular religion, theology, cross-cultural understanding
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