Books
Religion in Modern Times (Blackwell, 2000)
Co-edited with Paul Heelas, this book gathers together key texts in the study of religion. It offers a typology which divides religion into (1) religions of difference (2) religions of humanity (3) spiritualities of life. This typology is largely based on cultural characteristics of religion, though it hints at some organisational features.
More details: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Religion-Modern-Times-Anthology-Spirituality
The Spiritual Revolution (Blackwell, 2005)
Develops the typology from Religion in Modern Times to explain why religion is giving way to spirituality. Co-authored with Paul Heelas, the book is based on findings from a research project carried out in Kendal, Cumbria between 2000 and 2002 (for details see research projects). We try to explain why many churches are declining whilst new forms of spirituality are growing in terms of the ‘subjectivisation thesis’. Its starting point is the observation that late industrial societies are characterised by detraditionalization and a ‘turn to the self’. External authorities become less salient for large numbers of people than their own feelings, thoughts, intuitions, judgements - in short, their ‘subjectivities’. The subjectivisation thesis maintains that forms of religion which overrule the individual by appealing to higher authorities are likely to fare less well in many contemporary contexts than spiritualities which sacralise the self.
More details: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spiritual-Revolution-Religion-Giving-Spirituality/
An Introduction to Christianity (Cambridge University Press, 2004) and A Very Short Introduction to Christianity (Oxford University Press, 2004)
These books offer introductions to Christianity written from an historical sociological point of view. Both present Christianity as a diverse religion with three main socio-cultural forms (church, Biblical and experiential). The longer Introduction investigates Christianity’s relation to sources of social power: economic, cultural, political, and military. It traces the changing ways in which different types of Christianity have related to shifting formations of power.
More details: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction-Christianity-Religion/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christianity-Very-Short-Introduction-Introductions
For a full list of my books see More Books