"My theory of the brontosaurus": Postmodernism and "theory" of religion

Given the way in which some scholars of religion now attempt to re-authorize theology by means of postmodern relativity, this article tackles issues of definition and discursive boundary maintenance by examining such scholars' suspect usage of the terms "postmodern" and "theory." Specifically, this critique focusses on a recent article proposing that Karl Barth's "theory" of religion ought to be included in the religious studies canon. The reasoning behind this proposal is an example of the suspect nature of some postmodern appropriations made by scholars of religion, appropriations that entail larger theoretical, discursive and institutional implications that should be brought to the attention of members of the field of religious studies.