The Role of Place for Creaturely Flourishing: A Critical Engagement between Theology and Psychology

Robust theological engagement with the concept of place remains a marginal area of concern for Anglican theologians and practitioners in the United Kingdom. Within the UK, I contend that Anglican theologies of place fall into two categories: sacramental theologies of place and geographical theologies of place. This essay offers a science-engaged theology of place by bringing together these Anglican theologies of place with insights from the psychology of religion to strengthen each other’s proposals concerning the role of place for creaturely flourishing. This engagement helps define the varieties of places to which Christians form attachments, providing a greater understanding of varying Christian behaviour with respect to place. It demonstrates the need to attend to underlying theological models of place that inform differing approaches to ministry and mission and the way such theological models can help build up the body of Christ so that every creature in the parish may flourish.