Social Science versus Christian Theology, Reconsidered: The Case of British Social Policy Studies

Abstract

This paper reconsiders the ‘versus’ relationship between Christian Theology (ct) and social sciences with reference to Social Policy Studies (sps) in Britain. I argue that the organised scepticism of sps towards ct, on the grounds that it is a conservative episteme, is unwarranted. It misrecognises Church Theology as ct writ large and thus demonstrates an oversight towards radical forms of ct with which it might make common cause. I also question radical theologians that reject social sciences on similar grounds, i.e. for lacking a sufficiently revolutionary episteme. Although I am sympathetic to intellectual projects that seek to overcome this ‘versus’ relationship by focusing on the discursive similarities of ct and sps, such projects are precarious. I elaborate praxis rather than discursive similarities as a sounder basis for reconciliation. Much mutual learning takes place at the level of praxis that, if acknowledged, could strengthen the movement for radical social change.