Sociology a Demystification

The author says:

"The Italian writer Giovanni Papini used to say that 'half the books written are not sold. Half of those sold are not read. Half of those read are not understood, and half of those understood are misunderstood.' I hope that the pessimism of this controversial author does not also come true in this work you hold in your hands, dear reader. Sociology is an attempt to approach the social reality that surrounds the contemporary Protestant world. It is primarily aimed at those who are sensitive to and interested in the current situation of the Gospel in full globalization.

I have written with Christian pastors and leaders in mind, as well as theology students and students of other subjects, who wish to delve deeper into the biblical perspective on the social myths that still move Western society. I believe that all of them will find in these pages sufficient reasons for reflection and personal inspiration. But I would be untrue if I did not also confess that I am moved by the desire that reading this book may contribute to overcoming the errors and mistaken behaviors that are occurring within many evangelical congregations, as a result of the introduction of certain ideas alien to the Bible and certain myths typical of the secular culture of our time. In this sense, it also aims to begin to balance the sociological deficit that exists in Hispano-American Protestant literature.

The relationship between sociology and theology has always been very tense, due to the efforts of most sociologists to deny the divine presence and to see religion as nothing more than a human construct. However, the truth is that neither of these two important branches of knowledge (theology and sociology) constitutes a unitary science that possesses a defined set of principles and a universally accepted methodology. In the study of the social, there are many distinct theoretical perspectives that are not easy to reconcile and that often lead to significant controversies. Therefore, the sociologist, as a researcher, must try to set aside personal preferences and always seek conclusions that are demonstrable to everyone. Evidently, the existence of God and the authenticity of religious relationships cannot be demonstrated or refuted by sociological methodology.

This work starts from this reality and accepts that although Christian faith is a symbolic dimension that always refers to the idea of an absolute God, as sociologist Durkheim affirms, it cannot be reduced to "nothing more" than that, to a simple projection of the human mind. This symbolic reductionism is not capable of adequately grasping Christianity from a sociological point of view. Faith in Jesus as the Son of God is much more than a mere emanation of the human mind.

Before delving into such assessments, it has therefore been necessary to define what sociology is. To know its origin and its main study methods. To ask about the sociability of human beings and to explain the main existing social realities. All of this has been carried out in the first part of this work.

The main social myths that have shaped the modern world up to the present day constitute the second part of the book. The social ideas of Machiavelli, Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Comte, Darwin, Marx, and Freud form a decalogue that is contrasted in each case with the respective biblical doctrine, from both the Old and New Testaments. This reviews myths that affirm things such as that the end justifies the means used; that the human mind is the source of all truth; that rulers must have absolute power over their people; that private property is as sacred as human life; that man is good by nature and war is necessary for the progress of humanity; that modern people no longer need God and that we have evolved from animals; that the poor will eventually inherit the earth and, finally, that religion emerged as a consequence of guilt feelings in primitive humans—all ideas contrary to what biblical revelation manifests.

The third part studies the influence that these myths of modernity have had on Christianity in the postmodern era and, in particular, on current Protestantism. It points out some of the main perversions they have led to and the urgent need for a reform of such mistaken attitudes. To do this, a corresponding analysis of the contemporary globalization process is carried out, as well as its economic, cultural, political, social, and religious implications. The future perspective for Christianity, as well as the type of pastoral care that will be necessary to continue transmitting the values of faith to a globalized society and the challenge of interfaith dialogue, conclude the third part, which is titled: modernity and globalization in contemporary Protestantism.

In the conclusion, the figure of Christ as God incarnate and, therefore, socialized with human beings themselves, is highlighted. Any attempt at Christian sociology should be directed towards Him. The book concludes with questions for reflection and evaluation, an index of names and important concepts, as well as the list of bibliography used."