Beyond Orthodoxy: Social Theology and the Views of Protestant Clergy on Social Issues
Using data from nineteen different Protestant denominations, the general proposition that dimensions of theology other than orthodoxy influence the social views of clergy is examined with reference to social theology. A brief sketch of Prostestant social theologies in America identifies three such t...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage Publications
2008
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| In: |
Review of religious research
Year: 2008, Volume: 50, Issue: 2, Pages: 221-240 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | Using data from nineteen different Protestant denominations, the general proposition that dimensions of theology other than orthodoxy influence the social views of clergy is examined with reference to social theology. A brief sketch of Prostestant social theologies in America identifies three such theologies as most prevalent--communitarianism, individualism, and neopuritanism. It is hypothesized that communitarianism will be positively associated with an issue agenda reflecting themes of social justice, neopuritanism with a moral reform agenda, and individualism with neither agenda. A regression model that includes orthodoxy and political party identification supports these expectations. With the exception of a negative relation between denominational neopuritanism and social justice, denominational effects are minimal. Together, the three social theologies account for more incremental variance than orthodoxy in both social agendas. Furthermore, theological variables account for more variance in both agendas than the political variables measured here. With minor contributions from demographic variables, the overall regression model accounts for a substantial majority of the variance in these agendas. It is concluded that social theology is as important as both orthodoxy and political orientation when it comes to understanding the social views of clergy. |
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| ISSN: | 2211-4866 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Review of religious research
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