The Politics of Spiritual Work in Christian Movements

1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-041-08361-0
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 120 Seiten, Format (B × H): 138 mm x 216 mm

Reihe: Routledge Focus on Religion

This book examines how three conservative Christian movements – Jehovah’s Witnesses, Conservative Laestadians and the Old Order Amish – attribute spiritual meanings to both paid employment and voluntary work, and how work functions as a tool of governance within these communities. A central concept developed in this book is spiritual work, used to describe forms of labour imbued with religious meaning and purpose. This book offers a detailed analysis of how religious interpretations of work regulate members’ lives and sustain internal power dynamics. By tracing both the theological roots and social consequences of these interpretations, the study demonstrates that work is not merely an economic necessity but a central component of the moral and spiritual order within these movements. Framed by perspectives from the study of power and governance, this book identifies three key dimensions through which governance operates via work: shaping individual spirituality, reinforcing communal belonging and cohesion, and regulating the boundary between the religious community and the outside world.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Linjakumpu, Aini

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Christentum/Christliche Theologie Allgemein

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction  2. Examining the theology of work  3. The meanings of work and the governance of a religious community  4. Jehovah’s witnesses: Preaching as spiritual work  5. Conservative Laestadians and working for the Kingdom of God  6.  The Amish: The many meanings of farming  7. The politics of spiritual work. Index

Über Autor(innen)

Aini Linjakumpu is Professor of Politics of Religions and Cultures at the University of Lapland, Finland.