Sociology and New Testament Studies: A Critical Evaluation of Rodney Stark's Contribution

Abstract

When Rodney Stark amended his backsliding ways and returned with self-confessed penitence to the sociology of religion after nearly a decade of pursuing false idols in other sociological specializations (Stark 1984:273), the event was heralded by such a flurry of articles appearing in such rapid succession that no one could doubt Rodney was truly back. Initially, many of these essays were focused on new religious movements, but other themes soon cropped up as well, themes with a conceptual, methodological, or even an historical focus. Few of us could have predicted, however, that Rod's far flung research ventures would eventually give rise to a burgeoning interest in New Testament studies. Yet, with New Testament specialists recently incorporating sociological analyses into their research endeavors with such lively abandon, it only seemed fair that we should reciprocate by unleashing a Stark-raving sociologist on their turf. As my contribution to this symposium, I wish to undertake: first, a critical assessment of Rod Stark's contribution to New Testament studies thus far; and second, a series of reflections on the problems endemic to conducting interdisciplinary research, with the focus squarely on, but the implications not limited to, the interface between sociology and New Testament studies.