This contribution aims to address the opportunities for empirical theologians to deal with the definitions of religious texts, beliefs, and practices from a humanities perspective. After pinpointing the issue of definition as one, in which interpretation is constitutive, three paragraphs elaborate the discussion of such a humanities approach to religion. Firstly, it is made clear that semiotic analysis offers a method to clarify the significance of religious texts, beliefs, and rituals at three elementary levels of meaning exchange. Secondly, it is demonstrated that discourse-analysis offers a proper method to clarify how various owners of religious definitions interact in pursuit of their interests. Thirdly, attention is drawn to the exigency of studying justification claims in religion, which is crucial in demonstrating the relevance and significance of empirical research to society. In looking back, it is argued that the indicated humanities perspective is able to avoid the many pitfalls in defining religion, and contributes to the development of empirical theology and is relevant to current and forthcoming opportunities for research in religion.
Leven, Eva-Maria (2019). Professionalität von Religionslehrkräften. Eine explorative Studie zur Rekonstruktion fachspezifischen Professionswissens sowie handlungsbezogener und reflexiver Kompetenzen von Religionslehrkräften (Empirische Theologie/Empirical Theology). Münster: Lit. ISBN 978-3-643-14266-5. 513 Seiten.
