Research On Religion » Protestantism

James Felak on Picking Pontiffs and Pope Francis I

tonygill — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:00:47 +0000

Visit our Facebook Fan Page, help us get to 400 “likes,” and tell us what name you would have chosen had you been picked pope!

Unless you’ve taken up the hermit lifestyle, you probably have heard about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the selection of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the Catholic Church’s new pontiff. The help us understand what the Catholic papacy is all about, and how the Church transitions from one leader to the next, we call upon James Felak, professor of history at the University of Washington – a frequent and popular guest on our show. Prof. Felak begins the discussion with an overview of what role the pope plays in the Catholic Church, including his responsibilities in writing encyclicals and serving as the Court of Final Instance. We examine the pontiff’s role in relation to a presidency or corporate executive, two of the more pervasive analogies in the popular media, and James explains why those models are not an accurate description of the pope’s duties. This becomes an important insight as we discuss whether or not a new pontiff can take the Church in a radically different direction, as many pundits have been speculating in recent weeks. James likens the Church to an elephant that can plod along with force in a single direction, but has trouble making rapid turns. The vast size and bureaucratic continuity of the Church makes it difficult for any single pontiff to dramatically alter the institution. We also review the relationship between the Holy See and the various bishops and national bishops’ conferences around the world. Attention then turns to the process of papal transition and we examine closely the decision of Benedict XVI to resign, the Conclave of Cardinals, and who finally emerged on the balcony shortly after the white smoke appeared. Prof. Felak brings some interesting insights into the last pope’s resignation based upon Benedict’s scholarship on norms and meta-norms. The health of Benedict XVI becomes a topic for discussion and James provides some interesting observations on the role of suffering in the Church and how this related to John Paul II. Only on Research on Religion can you hear such fascinating and deep insights! We move then to the selection process, looking at both the politics leading up to the Conclave as well as speculating about what went on behind closed doors. Tony asks James whether the short notice provided by Benedict was a strategic move to limit politicking among the Cardinals. After all, he stepped down only three weeks after his announcement during on the the busiest months of the Catholic calendar (e.g., Lent and Palm Sunday), meaning that the Cardinals had to hustle out to Rome, conduct their business, and (hopefully) choose a new pontiff by Easter. Tony also peppers Prof. Felak with additional questions about whether Benedict will be setting a new precedent among popes and how much outside influence from different Catholic factions and secular governments plays a role in the election process. Our discussion also explores who the Cardinals are, how they are selected, and what roles they play in the Church. Our conversation also covers the issues of secrecy surrounding the Conclave, whether there has been any leaks, who gets on the first ballot, how candidates get eliminated during the voting process, and the duration of the event. James notes that Tony tends to be interested in these strategic details, but then Tony reminds him that he is a political economist after all! Finally, James offers up his reflections on the selection of Bergoglio with a fascinating observation that nobody else in the media has pointed out, and one that might be critical for the direction of the Church. To find out what that observation is, you will have to listen. We also talk about how big of a deal it is that Francis I is from Argentina and that he is a Jesuit, as well as his theological and ideological leanings. And what about that name Francis? We talk why that name was chosen, why popes take certain names, and what name James would have taken had he been picked for pope. We finish with Tony asking James why non-Catholics should care about who is chosen as pope, prompting a very interesting response about the role of ecumenism. Recorded: March 18, 2013.

RELATED LINKS

Prof. James Felak’s biography at the University of Washington.

After Hitler, Before Stalin: Catholics, Communists, and Democrats in Slovakia, 1945-1948, by James Felak.

James Martin, S.J.’s writings at America magazine (referenced in interview).

Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclicals at the Vatican archives and books at Amazon.com (referenced in interview).

RELATED PODCASTS

Jeremy Lott on the Media’s Pope-O-Rama.

John M. Sweeney on the Pope Who Quit.

James Felak on Vatican Council II.

James Felak on Pope John Paul II and Communism.

James Felak on Pope Pius XII, The Wartime Pontiff.

Robert Woodberry on Missionaries and Democracy

tonygill — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:00:38 +0000

Did Protestant missionaries help plant the seeds of democracy throughout the world? We take up that question with Prof. Robert Woodberry, associate professor of political science at the National Univesity of Singapore, whose recent article “The Missionary Roots of Liberal Democracy” in the American Political Science Review is reinvigorating interest in the link between religion and political outcomes around the world and throughout history. Our conversation begins with an examination of the standard theories for why democracy has emerged in some places but not in others. Prof. Woodberry carefully indicates that democracy is more than just elections, but includes respect for civil liberties and the rule of law. Our conversation tuns to the role religion plays in the promotion of liberal democracy and how Bob became interested in this topic. He mentions that one of his dissertation advisors, Ken Bollen, had noticed an interesting historical correlation between Protestantism and democracy back in the 1970s, but most other scholars simply ignored that observation. It was left to Bob to pick up the torch and run with it, a task he was well-suited for given his family’s history in missionizing. Tony then asks Bob why he thinks scholars have so frequently overlooked the “religious factor” in the study of democratization, and Prof. Woodberry then provides some interesting speculations that click well with previous discussions we have had with other guests on our podcast. Prof. Woodberry then spells out his thesis, arguing that “conversionary Protestants” — Protestants interested in fulfilling the task of The Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20) be it in post-Reformation Europe or elsewhere — have a strong interest in convincing individuals to make a free choice to accept Jesus as their savior. In doing so, these Protestants encourage literacy, which in turn incentivizes the creation of mass printing. The voluntarism inherent in these Protestant churches also foments the development of skills associated with civic organization, which become the basis for the vibrant civil society needed to challenge autocratic rulers. Tony notes that this finding is consistent with other sociological research finding that church attenders are more likely to be involved in non-church civic organizations than their secular counterparts. Tony also encourages scholars studying “new social movements” to look at “old social movements” (i.e., churches) because they have been collectively organizing for centuries, if not millenia. Finally, Bob also notes that conversionary Protestants were strong advocates for religious liberty, which often corresponded with respect for other civil liberties such as the right to assemble and speak one’s mind. This led many of these Protestants to also speak out against the more severe abuses of colonialism such as slavery. All of this then prompts non-religious organizations to follow the lead of these Protestant groups so as to not be outdone in the competition for the hearts and minds of the general population. It is at this point where Tony gets a chance to plug his first book which connects well with Prof. Woodberry’s findings. We look at why the Catholic Church did not proceed along a similar path until very recently, and why civilizations such as Imperial China did not allow for the expansion of printing and literacy despite having invented movable typeset printing long before Europe. We conclude our discussion with Bob’s thought on the Arab Spring. Recorded: June 12, 2012.

RELATED LINKS

Robert Woodberry’s bio at Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion.

“The Missionary Roots of Liberal Democracy” by Robert Woodberry in The American Political Science Review (requires purchase or subscription).

“The Pioneering Protestants” by Robert Woodberry and Timothy Shah in The Journal of Democracy (requires purchase or subscription).

Rendering Unto Caesar: The Catholic Church and the State in Latin America, by Anthony Gill (host of Research on Religion)

RELATED PODCASTS

Timothy Shah on the Case for Religious Liberty

Timur Kuran on Islamic Law and Economic Development.

Jared Rubin on Christian and Islamic Economic History.

Matthew Sutton on Aimee Semple McPherson.

James Wellman on Evangelical vs Liberal Christians

tonygill — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:00:48 +0000

Evangelical Christians and liberal mainline Protestants represent distinct religious subcultures in the United States. James Wellman — associate professor of comparative religion and sociology, and director of the Comparative Religion Program at the University of Washington — discusses the core beliefs, organizational structures and pastoral strategies of these two groups. Prof. Wellman’s most recent book Evangelical vs. Liberal, examines these two groups in a most unlikely of environments: the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington), arguably one of the least churched region of the United States. We briefly discuss the cultural environment of the Pacific Northwest, with Prof. Wellman (a native Washingtonian) emphasizing the region’s libertarian sensibilities. Jim argues that the evangelical emphasis on personal salvation leads to dramatically different styles of worship, community outreach, and engagement in the political arena. We explore the reasons for these differences in the first half of the podcast. Our discussion also focuses on why evangelical churches are growing at a faster pace than more liberal-oriented mainline churches. Recorded: September 24, 2010.

(Please note that due to a scheduling conflict with our normal recording room, the acoustic environment for this podcast created an echo, particularly with your host’s voice. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.)

RELATED LINKS

Prof. James Wellman’s website at the University of Washington.

Evangelical vs. Liberal: The Clash of Christian Cultures in the Pacific Northwest by James K. Wellman, Jr. (Oxford University Press).

RELATED PODCASTS

Gordon Melton on Mega-Trends in American Religion.

Brad R.E. Wright on Christian Stereotypes.

Gordon Melton on Mega-Trends in American Religion

tonygill — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:00:19 +0000

J. Gordon Melton, director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion and Distinguished Senior Fellow at Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion, joins RoR to talk about changes in American religion over the past two hundred years. We discuss the importance of denominationalism in American religious life, the influx of new religious movements in the 1960s, the influence of immigration on the spiritual landscape and why there has been a significant decline in the number of “unaffiliated” over the past century (despite a small increase in the past decade). We survey the growth and changes in the Baptist Church, Methodism, Pentecostalism and a number of other groups. Dr. Melton, also an ordained Methodist elder and author of Melton’s Encyclopedia of American Religion, makes the case that denominationalism is an enduring and important component of American religion. The podcast concludes with some thoughts about race and religion in the United States. Recorded: July 7, 2010.

RELATED LINKS

J. Gordon Melton’s website at Baylor’s ISR.

Melton’s Encyclopedia of American Religions, 8th Edition, by J. Gordon Melton.

RELATED PODCASTS

Bradley Wright on Christian Stereotypes.

Brad R.E. Wright on Christian Stereotypes

tonygill — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:00:30 +0000

Bradley R.E. Wright, associate professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut, discusses his new book, Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites … and Other Lies You’ve Been Told. Is it true that evangelical Protestants have a divorce rate equal to or higher than the secular public? Are Christians really more honest than their unchurched counterparts? Are evangelicals simply poor, white Southerners who are easily led? Using data from a variety of sources, Prof. Wright challenges some commonly held myths about Protestantism in America — myths that are not only propogated by a secular media, but often perpetuated by Christian leaders themselves! We end the podcast with an observation that it may be harmful for Christian ministers to alarm the public about the decline of religion and Christianity. Don’t miss our discussion of big hair or the revelation about a tragic incident in your host’s past! Recorded: July 5, 2010.

RELATED LINKS

Bradley Wright’s website and blog.

Christians Are Hate Filled Hypocrites … and Other Lies You’ve Been Told by Bradley R.E. Wright.

American Religious Identification Survey.

Karrie Koesel on Religion & Politics in China

tonygill — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 06:44:41 +0000

Despite being an officially atheist country, China has witnessed an increasing growth in Christianity, Islam and other religions such as Falun Gong. How have religious groups negotiated their relationship with the state? Karrie Koesel, assistant professor of political science at the University of Oregon, talks about the critical role of church-state relations at the local level in China. The podcast covers the changing religious landscape in China and what is entailed in becoming an “official” religion. Despite official policy emanating from Beijing, relations between religious groups and local party officials are much more ambiguous, allowing for more fluid and negotiated relationships. Koesel shares interesting stories about what local churches must do to avoid harassment from the government and the interesting nexus between churches and private enterprise. Koesel discusses the prospects for Christianity creating a democratic ethos in the nation. Recorded: May 6, 2010.

RELATED LINKS

Prof. Karrie Koesel’s website.

Steven Pfaff on the Protestant Reformation

tonygill — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 05:39:44 +0000

Why did Martin Luther’s challenge to the Vatican’s policy on indulgences result in a major schism within Christianity? Steven Pfaff, associate professor of sociology at the University of Washington, proposes a novel thesis about the role of professors and university students in 16^th century central Europe that he developed with his co-author Hyojoung Kim. Using insights from network analysis, Pfaff challenges and supplements macro-sociological explanations of The Reformation, such as the role of trade, capitalism and printing technology. He argues that in the first decades the Diet of Worms, scholars must look at the micro-details of how well-positioned individuals were able to spread Luther’s ideas from one person to another. Prof. Pfaff becomes noted for his use of the word “fissiparity.” Recorded: April 14, 2010

RELATED LINKS

Prof. Steven Pfaff’s website.

Exit-Voice Dynamics and the Collapse of East Germany by Steven Pfaff.