Description: How can we understand the role of religion in human experience and social life? This book argues that anthropology and theology can work together to answer this question. Robbins provides clear accounts of contemporary anthropological theory and theological debates around issues such as atonement, sin, and the potentials and limits of human action.
Review Quotes: "a delight to read- a deeply satisfying work that is also truly groundbreaking." -- Timothy Larsen, History and Anthropology
"With Theology and the Anthropology of Christian Life Joel Robbins has given us a work that is slim in size yet overflowing with ideas for-and challenges to-anthropologies of both Christianity and humanity at large." -- Simon Coleman, History and Anthropology"for some, the dialogue with theology may be an unexpected choice, yet nobody can doubt the critical insights and the productivity of the chapters, or the unpredictable places that the book takes its readers, not to mention the good humour and 'full moral tone' that suffuses all of Joel Robbins's work and certainly all of his interactions with colleagues." -- Courtney Handman, History and Anthropology"Joel Robbins' much anticipated second monograph is a significant contribution to the foundation of theologically engaged anthropology" -- J. Derrick Lemons, History and Anthropology"This is a stimulating work: rather than a theologian taking up social science, here is a social scientist creatively embracing theology." -- John Mansford Prior, SVD, Mission Studies"Theology and the Anthropology of Christian Life represents Robbins's most robust attempt yet to flesh out what a risky and transformative disciplinary engagement between anthropology and Christian theology might entail." -- Sara A. Williams, Journal of the American Academy of Religion"Part of what makes the book intriguing is Robbins's admitted personal grounding in the Pentecostal charismatic faith tradition. Robbins shows readers how theology and social anthropology have engaged, but also been influenced by, modern and postmodern ways of thinking ... Overall, this provocative book will be useful to both disciplines as they contribute to a more robust understanding of humanity and the world." -- A. L. Kolp, CHOICE"...stimulating work, which I shall be referring to frequently." -- John Mansford Prior, Ledalero Institute of Philosophy