Continuity in Discontinuity? Theological enquiry and reflection on the role of Christianity in migration stories of Karen Baptists in Norway

Om prosjektet

The research analysis and reflects upon the role of Christian beliefs and practices has for Christians in a transnational and globalised world, especially for Christians on the move. In order to ground the theological reflection in the project includes a qualitative research among Karen Baptists who come to Norway as quota refugees from Myanmar.

After introducing theological challenges in a transnational world, the project proceeds in two stages. The first stage is an analysis of the role of Christian beliefs and practices in the lifestory and present life-situation of Karen refugees in Norway. The analysis looks particularly at the use Christian resources for orientation and transformation (Jan-Olav Henriksen, 2017) at different points of migratory experiences, such as, internal displacement, refugee camps, international migration, and transnational networking. The second stage reflects upon the outcome of the qualitative research in stage one in critical dialogue with other theologies of migration.

The fieldwork is done in four Baptist churches. Two churches are in the north of Norway and two churches in the south. Two of the churches are Norwegian-speaking and two are Karen-speaking (so-called migrant churches). Three of them are rural churches.

Bakgrunn

M. Th. University of Wales