Historical Data, Comparison, and Systematisation. Some Thoughts on the Challenges and Possibilities of Synthesising Historical and Social Scientific Approaches in the Study of Religion

This article discusses the introductory remarks to this special issue by Mattias Brand, as well as the two articles written by the Mattias Brand and Gerard Wiegers, respectively. It includes my own reflections in the commentary on the three contributions. First, the article deals with the challenges mentioned by Mattias Brand in his introduction, namely with “questioning of some of the most central concepts in the historical study of religion” and “the increasing fragmentation of the discipline.” Second, it addresses the solution provided by Mattias Brand in his article, namely combining history with comparison and systematic considerations. Third, it comments on the case study by Gerard Wiegers. Finally, it offers some reflections on the “relational religion” paradigm.