Theology as an Ethnographic Object: An Anthropology of Eastern Christian Rupture

Timothy Carroll

doi:10.3390/rel8070114

Abstract

This paper draws upon over three years’ research among Eastern Orthodox (principally Antiochian and Greek) communities in London and Mount Athos, Greece. This research came to engage theology quite heavily as part of the ethnographic facts of the fieldsites. This paper reviews some of the existing ways that theology (as both discipline and practice) relate to ethnographic enquiry, particularly as it has arisen in the dialogue with the Anthropology of Christianity and frames this in light of the historical development of Anthropology and its relationship to theology and Christianity. The paper then advances a methodological argument, in favour of further means of relation, specifically in terms of theology as a cultural artefact. Drawing on local practices of liturgical theology and Eastern Orthodox forms of allegorical interpretation, I argue for the inclusion of theological insight and practice within the social scientific study of religion. Working in an Orthodox setting requires the investigation of liturgical theology and brings to light important aspects of the relationship between temporal and sempiternal domains of action. Particularly as it relates to liturgical theology and the practices of interpretation, ethnographic enquiry into Orthodox theology asks for a reconsideration of social scientific methods of analysis and representation.

Highlights

Over the course of ethnographic research1 amongst Eastern Orthodox Christians, based primarily in London and Mount Athos amongst Antiochian and Greek Orthodox communities, I was routinely pointed to theology
Amongst pilgrims on Mount Athos, for example, or over lunch, casual exchange of theology regularly took place. Because of this omnipresence of theology— as a formal disciplinary practice and as a liturgical practice and sort of lay devotion, I found it essential to the integrity of my ethnographic method to interact regularly and critically with the theology I witnessed during my research. This choice was, difficult to justify in some social scientific circles, as engaging theology in such a manner pushes the boundaries of Anthropological enquiry
I must ask a similar question, not concerning proselytism, but concerning the interpretive opinions concerning the meaning of liturgical symbols: that is, ‘mystagogy’

Summary

Introduction

Over the course of ethnographic research amongst Eastern Orthodox Christians, based primarily in London and Mount Athos amongst Antiochian and Greek Orthodox communities, I was routinely pointed to theology. Amongst pilgrims on Mount Athos, for example, or over lunch, casual exchange of theology regularly took place Because of this omnipresence of theology— as a formal disciplinary practice and as a liturgical practice and sort of lay devotion, I found it essential to the integrity of my ethnographic method to interact regularly and critically with the theology I witnessed during my research. This choice was, difficult to justify in some social scientific circles, as engaging theology in such a manner pushes the boundaries of Anthropological enquiry. The paper proposes a new approach, and offers a case study whereby the reading of Orthodox theology and an examination of Orthodox liturgical practice opens up new insight into how social scientific enquiry may best use theology as an ethnographic object

Anthropology and Christianity

Theology and Ethnography

Interruption and Temporality

Rupture

Conclusions