The Anthropology of Christianity

“The Anthropology of Christianity is a remarkable collection of consistently insightful discussions and analyses, and merits shelf space alongside classics in the anthropology of religion. However, it would be something of an intellectual tragedy if the book were consigned solely to anthropologists who specialise in religion. This volume demands attention not just for what it says about Christianity, but also for what it illuminates about the nature of anthropology itself. As such, it deserves to be read widely within the discipline. . . .” — Philip M. Fountain, Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology,

“[T]his collection of studies exemplifies a new and promising turn in the anthropology of Christianity.” — Andrew Orta, Journal of Anthropological Research

“[T]his is an excellent volume of essays that vividly demonstrates the vitality of this growing area of anthropological research and writing.” — Paul-Francois Tremlett, Culture & Religion,

“A book of many merits, providing insights into the enormous variety of themes and problems the anthropology of Christianity has to address. . . . Cannell’s collection is a valuable contribution to an anthropological field gaining momentum.” — Friedegard Tomasetti, Journal of Religious History,

“It is a rare book that not only contributes to existing scholarship but succeeds in removing a serious blind spot from that scholarship, and Fenella Cannell’s edited volume The Anthropology of Christianity does just that. . . . [T]his volume is poised to become required reading for anyone interested in the variation of Christian practice and belief, the relationship between Christianity and modernity, and the intellectual-cum-theological history of anthropological thought. . . . This is a marvelous collection that should inspire readers not only to rethink Christianity but also to reckon with the vestiges of theology that remain in our disciplines.” — Deirdre de la Cruz, Journal of Asian Studies,

“Lucid and masterly. . . .” — David Martin, Books & Culture ,

“Theoretically provocative and ethnographically rich, this book will deeply and positively influence the development of its title subject. In her introductory chapter, Cannell writes, ‘For many anthropologists, it seems that, unless special circumstances bring it into view, Christianity is still an occluded object’ (11). To anthropology’s benefit, this is becoming less and less the case thanks to works like this one.” — Matt Tomlinson, Anthropological Quarterly

“This collection, edited by anthropologist Cannell, presents engaging case studies that illustrate how putatively universal faith is localized in specific contexts: Protestants in Indonesia, Sweden, Melanesia, Amazonia, and Madagascar; Catholics in India, Bolivia, and the Philippines. At the same time, the authors in different ways critically evaluate the relationship between anthropology and Christianity.” — C. J. MacKenzie, Choice

“This is an elegantly written and thoughtfully put-together volume that highlights the potential of ‘local’ ethnography as a source of metatheoretical insight into the discipline, rather than just offering empirical validation of preexisting (Western) theories and methodologies. . . . This volume is valuable because it encourages local anthropologists to consider the breadth of the Freudian metaphor, which is central to Cannell’s argument. . . . The Anthropology of Christianity serves to encourage anthropologists to consider ethnography as a vehicle toward reconsidering the often taken-for-granted concepts of the discipline, rather than merely as a presentation of empirical data.” — Julius J. Bautista, Philippine Studies