Dr Stephen Garner

The past two decades have seen the field of ‘digital religion’ develop as an identifiable discipline within the social sciences primarily concerned with how religion in its various forms engages with, is shaped by, and is located in digital culture and media. As such, ‘digital religion, is shaped by anthropology, sociology and communications and media studies. While those involved in ‘digital religion’ may have particular faith commitments, the primary location for studying religion in digital spaces is from the outside looking in. More recently, the field of ‘digital theology’, carried out by those within particular religious traditions has started to emerge, where communities grapple to understand and live out their faith in the context of a world where we are wrapped in media and colonized by technology.

In this seminar, different aspects of digital theology will be highlighted together with a proposal for shaping Christian digital theology. Additionally, some comments will be offered on whose voices need to be part of shaping and defining the field.