Doing Empirical Research as an Act of Reconciliation
Orientations for Postcolonial Theology from a Canadian Perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20483764 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Julian Paparella (0009-0000-5512-3372, Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences https://dx.doi.org/323645 Rome, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 74-94 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-14 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Empirical Theology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0922-2936 • E-ISSN: 1570-9256 |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/15709256-20240023 |
| OpenAlex | W4410381162 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
In the light of the postcolonial context of Canada, this article asks: In what sense can empirical research in theology be done as an act of reconciliation? Christian churches in Canada have gradually recognized their complicity in the project of colonization of Indigenous peoples, particularly through the operation of residential schools that removed generations of children from their families in what has since been recognized as cultural genocide. As theological principles underpinned the involvement of Christian churches in colonialism, so too theological research has a part to play in reconciliation. The article offers orientations for using empirical methods in theological research from a postcolonial perspective in the light of the Canadian context. It begins by framing postcolonial theology in terms of reconciliation, understood as establishing and maintaining respectful relationships. Next, it navigates the possible contribution of theological research on the path of reconciliation, offering certain key considerations and criteria. Finally, the article suggests possible pathways by which empirical methods in theology could contribute to the process of reconciliation
Empirical research · Epistemology · History of religions · Political science · Sociology · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Philosophy · Religious studies · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Science and Policy Research
Actionable Postcolonial Theory in Education
Absurdity of Reconciliation
The 7 C’s framework for participatory action research
Young Adults Doing Lived Theology
Mixed blessings
The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research
Participatory Research Methods – Choice Points in the Research Process
Indigenous Geographies
Conversational Method in Indigenous Research1
Reconciliation as Public Theology
Theology and Mission Between Neocolonialism and Postcolonialism
Postcolonialism
Canadian settler colonialism
Indigenous Methodologies
Decolonizing Methodologies
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |