Brief thoughts on Christianity, history, and me

(Wherein I stake a claim to be first on John Fea’s list of bloggers he wishes would post less.)

Those who fear the academy is filled with atheists pushing a secular agenda would be shocked. So would smug lefties who imagine this place a refuge from irrational fundamentalists. The academic history world is filled with thoughtful skeptics and contemplative believers.

I didn’t expect to be working so deeply in religious history. In fact, most of what I know (or at least, perceive), I acquired after taking my comprehensive exams. My first dissertation proposal had religion as one chapter in a larger study of the ideologies of work and family in the nineteenth century south. Since then, I have been exposed to the sub-discipline and sub-culture of religious history. It is alive, but this isn’t a review of the field here. What strikes me is the differences between committed Christian historians and, well, folks like me.

I grew up in a Catholic church and am presently, and rather predictably, agnostic.* I’ve spent about thirty seven of my forty years just not thinking about it. So when I read historians who are self-identified Christians who grew up with, and live with, faith, I am reading sophisticated work attuned to the sensibilities of Christianity. I consider this an advantage of which I am jealous. (If I had been raised a Baptist and arrived where I am now, I’d be dangerous.) I have to learn the cues, the signals, the language, and the insights that are just part of the landscape for others. It humbles me greatly, and yes, I’ll admit to feeling like an outsider in the company of folks for whom faith is a part of their work.**

Not sure where I’m going with this and I’m not even articulating it well. I’m pretty happy with the historical work I’ve done so far, but it often feels shallow. I’ve been told that taking religion seriously yields fresh interpretive directions. Maybe, but that’s obviously condescending to all the great work done by people who already do.

*This dissertation—and simultaneous relationships in my life—have caused me to situate my own thoughts on sacred things, leading me to this conclusion for now.

**Saying this is not a claim to virtue or sympathy. It just is. I’ve never been made to feel that this is an actual problem.

Comments

[John Fea]

Actually Christopher, I was going to put you on the "bloggers who should blog more" list, but you have been pretty active of late. I enjoy reading the blog. Great post.

[Leslie]

Sounds pretty well articulated to me. Not to mention interesting and personal. I'm not quite sure what the phrase "take religion seriously" is meant to convey. My experience of you as a co-worker, even a decade ago, was that you were always pretty vocal about the need to take religion seriously -- and respectfully -- as an important part of historical people's lives. So, I'm reading this as being about taking religion seriously as personal question (in your life or others'), and changes in how you perceive yourself and colleagues in the present and how that relates to people you studied in the past.