The Study of the Past and its Present Challenges in the Study of Religions

Abstract

The article comments on the three challenges, which Mattias Brand presents in the Introduction: the questioning of central concepts, multiplication and fragmentation, and communication with a large audience. It also comments on Nickolas P. Roubekas article, “Asking Old Questions Anew: On the History of Religions.” The author stresses the lack of stability in the concept of religion and that those definitions must be modified and refined. A realistic goal for historians of religion is to a higher degree to contribute to middle-range theories where theories and empirical research are more closely integrated. Since religions of the past make up a significant part of the religion/s that have ever existed, they are essential to include in a comparative study of religion. The author finally points out that successful theorising in the historical study of religion should include students.