The development of religious studies in the modern and postmodern era: A critical analysis of the transformation of the theological paradigm

Abstract

This research examines the paradigm shift in religious studies from the modern
era to the postmodern era, with an emphasis on the use of more inclusive and
holistic methodologies. Initially, the study of religion in the modern era was
dominated by positivistic approaches that focused on observable and measurable
phenomena, often to the exclusion of spiritual and symbolic elements. However,
in the postmodern era, a more diversified and interpretive approach began to be
recognized, which incorporated a plurality of interpretations and the importance
of local context. The research methodology involved a case study approach
with in-depth interviews and content analysis of academic articles to explore
how the theological paradigm has transformed. The results show an increasing
acceptance of interpretative and phenomenological methods, which allow for
a deeper exploration of spirituality and subjective experiences that are difficult
to measure. These findings are important both theoretically and practically,
providing new insights that can improve education, public policy, and interfaith
dialog. However, this study has limitations including a sample that may not
cover all religious traditions or contexts, so more diverse future research is
needed to validate and extend these findings.