JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY

Scope & Guideline

Illuminating the past through the lens of belief.

Introduction

Delve into the academic richness of JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY with our guidelines, detailing its aims and scope. Our resource identifies emerging and trending topics paving the way for new academic progress. We also provide insights into declining or waning topics, helping you stay informed about changing research landscapes. Evaluate highly cited topics and recent publications within these guidelines to align your work with influential scholarly trends.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0022-4227
PublisherWILEY
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1960 to 2024
AbbreviationJ RELIG HIST / J. Relig. Hist.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of Religious History serves as a comprehensive platform for the exploration of religious phenomena across historical contexts. Its primary focus encompasses a wide array of methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of religion, reflecting the complex interplay between faith, culture, and society throughout different periods and regions.
  1. Historical Contextualization of Religion:
    The journal emphasizes the importance of situating religious practices, beliefs, and institutions within their historical contexts, exploring how they evolve and interact with societal changes over time.
  2. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    It encourages the integration of various academic disciplines, including history, anthropology, sociology, and literary studies, to provide a more nuanced understanding of religious phenomena.
  3. Focus on Marginalized Voices:
    The journal often highlights the experiences and contributions of marginalized groups within religious traditions, including women, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ communities, thus promoting a more inclusive narrative of religious history.
  4. Global Perspectives:
    It seeks to incorporate diverse global perspectives, examining religious developments not just in the Western context but also in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, thereby enriching the discourse on world religions.
  5. Critical Engagement with Contemporary Issues:
    The journal addresses contemporary religious issues by linking historical insights with current debates, such as secularization, religious pluralism, and the role of religion in public life.
The Journal of Religious History has shown a dynamic evolution in its thematic focus, reflecting contemporary scholarly interests and societal changes. Recent publications reveal several emerging themes that are gaining traction and prominence.
  1. Lived Religion:
    There is a growing emphasis on 'lived religion,' which examines how individuals and communities practice their faith in everyday life, moving beyond institutional frameworks to understand the personal dimensions of religious experience.
  2. Gender and Religion:
    Research exploring the intersections of gender and religion is on the rise, addressing topics such as women's roles in religious movements, gendered interpretations of sacred texts, and the impact of religion on gender identity and expression.
  3. Religious Pluralism and Interfaith Engagement:
    The journal is increasingly focusing on themes of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue, reflecting a contemporary need to understand coexistence and conflict in diverse religious landscapes.
  4. Decolonization of Religious Studies:
    There is a notable trend towards decolonizing religious studies, which involves critically examining how colonial histories have shaped religious narratives and practices, and advocating for indigenous perspectives in the study of religion.
  5. Digital Religion:
    The exploration of how digital technologies influence religious practices and communities is emerging as a significant area of study, addressing the implications of social media, virtual worship, and online religious communities.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of Religious History continuously adapts to the evolving landscape of religious studies, certain themes that once held prominence have seen a decline in recent publications. This waning focus may reflect shifting scholarly interests or changing societal contexts.
  1. Traditional Christian Denominational Studies:
    There appears to be a declining emphasis on studies that focus solely on traditional denominational histories, as the journal increasingly prioritizes broader themes that encompass inter-religious dynamics and pluralism.
  2. Historical Biographies of Prominent Religious Figures:
    While biographical studies of significant religious figures were once a staple, there is a noticeable decrease in this type of research, possibly due to a shift towards collective narratives and broader socio-religious movements.
  3. Secularization Narratives:
    The exploration of secularization as a linear and dominant narrative in religious history is waning, as scholars now often contend with the complexities and nuances of religious revival and persistence in contemporary society.
  4. Focus on Medieval and Early Modern Catholicism:
    There has been a noticeable reduction in papers solely dedicated to medieval and early modern Catholicism, as research increasingly integrates these periods into larger discussions of global religious transformations.
  5. Studies on Religious Conflict:
    While still relevant, the frequency of studies focusing narrowly on religious conflict has declined, giving way to more comprehensive examinations of interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

Similar Journals

Journal of Religion and Popular Culture

Advancing Scholarship on Culture's Influence on Belief
Publisher: UNIV TORONTO PRESS INCISSN: Frequency: 3 issues/year

Journal of Religion and Popular Culture is a unique academic platform dedicated to the exploration and analysis of the intricate relationships between religious practices and popular culture. Published by University of Toronto Press, Inc., this journal provides a critical forum for scholarly discourse, appealing to researchers, students, and professionals in the fields of Cultural Studies and Religious Studies. Since its inception in 2013, the journal has established itself as a significant contributor to the academic community, evidenced by its current category quartiles: Q4 in Cultural Studies and Q3 in Religious Studies as of 2023, alongside its Scopus rankings. Although it operates on a subscription basis, the journal's accessibility enhances its reach within the scholarly community. With a focus on fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, the Journal of Religion and Popular Culture invites contributions that illuminate the dynamic interplay between faith and the vibrant expressions of popular culture, making it a vital resource for understanding contemporary societal trends.

Journal of World Christianity

Connecting Historical Contexts with Contemporary Issues in Christianity
Publisher: PENN STATE UNIV PRESSISSN: 2377-8784Frequency: 2 issues/year

Journal of World Christianity, published by Penn State University Press, is a distinguished academic journal that serves as a vital platform for scholarship in the field of global Christianity. With an ISSN of 2377-8784 and E-ISSN 1943-1538, this journal aims to explore the diverse expressions, cultural contexts, and historical developments of Christianity around the world. By fostering interdisciplinary research, it invites contributions that encompass theology, sociology, history, and religious studies, addressing both contemporary issues and historical trends. Although currently not open access, the journal maintains a commitment to high-quality peer-reviewed research, making significant contributions to academic discourse. Scholars, practitioners, and students alike will find valuable insights in the Journal of World Christianity, reflecting the complexities and dynamism of global faith traditions.

Journal of Religion in Europe

Bridging Disciplines to Illuminate Religious Dynamics
Publisher: BRILLISSN: 1874-8910Frequency: 4 issues/year

The Journal of Religion in Europe is a prestigious academic publication dedicated to exploring the intricate relationships between religion and European society. Published by BRILL, one of the world’s foremost publishers in the humanities, this journal holds a remarkable Q1 ranking in Religious Studies and is positioned in the 77th percentile of Scopus ranks, underscoring its significance in the field. With a focus on interdisciplinary research, the journal covers topics ranging from historical analyses to contemporary issues relating to religion across Europe. Although it operates under a traditional subscription model, readers can access a wealth of peer-reviewed articles that seek to advance scholarly discourse. The Journal of Religion in Europe serves as an essential resource for researchers, professionals, and students, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of religion in a rapidly changing European landscape.

REVER-Revista de Estudos da Religiao

Engaging Cultures, Contexts, and Spirituality
Publisher: PONTIFICIA UNIV CATOLICA SAO PAULOISSN: 1677-1222Frequency: 3 issues/year

REVER - Revista de Estudos da Religião, published by the esteemed Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, is a leading journal dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of religion, examining its interactions within cultural, social, and historical contexts. With its ISSN 1677-1222, the journal aims to foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and students, making significant contributions to the field of religious studies. Although Open Access options are not provided, REVER ensures the dissemination of high-quality research that adheres to rigorous academic standards. Researchers and professionals will find value in its rich array of articles, which encompass theoretical, empirical, and applied perspectives on religion and spirituality, thereby enhancing understanding and critical engagement with these vital areas of human experience. Situated in the vibrant city of São Paulo, Brazil, the journal also emphasizes regional studies while fostering global discourse, making it an indispensable resource in the field.

HISTORY OF RELIGIONS

Decoding the Legacy of Religious Thought
Publisher: UNIV CHICAGO PRESSISSN: 0018-2710Frequency: 4 issues/year

History of Religions, published by University of Chicago Press, is a leading academic journal dedicated to the scholarly exploration of religious history across cultures and eras. With an ISSN of 0018-2710 and an E-ISSN of 1545-6935, this prestigious journal is well-regarded in the disciplines of History and Religious Studies, proudly holding a Q2 category ranking in both fields as of 2023. The journal features rigorous peer-reviewed articles that delve into the complexities of religious traditions, practices, and transformations, making it an essential resource for researchers, professionals, and students alike. Although it is not an open-access journal, its impactful research is published continuously from 1966 and remains highly relevant, providing valuable insights that contribute to the understanding of historical and contemporary religious phenomena. With a Scopus rank placing it in the top quartile of its category, History of Religions underscores its importance as a platform for innovative scholarship and critical discourse within this vibrant field.

Church History and Religious Culture

Connecting Past Narratives with Contemporary Insights
Publisher: BRILLISSN: 1871-241XFrequency: 4 issues/year

Church History and Religious Culture is a reputable academic journal published by BRILL, focusing on the intricate interplay between history and religious practice. With an ISSN of 1871-241X and an E-ISSN of 1871-2428, this journal serves as a vital platform for scholars and students alike, fostering a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of religious traditions through a historical lens. Situated in the Netherlands, the journal is notable for its extensive chronological coverage, having begun its publication journey in 1912 and continuing to present impactful research well into 2024. While it currently holds a Q4 classification in both History and Religious Studies, its commitment to high-quality scholarship ensures relevance and engages a wide readership. Readers are invited to explore an array of research that not only reflects on past narratives but also contributes to contemporary discussions within the fields of history and religious studies, highlighting the enduring significance of faith and belief systems in human society.

NUMEN-INTERNATIONAL REVIEW FOR THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS

Unveiling Diverse Perspectives on Religious Phenomena
Publisher: BRILLISSN: 0029-5973Frequency: 6 issues/year

NUMEN-INTERNATIONAL REVIEW FOR THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS is a prestigious academic journal published by BRILL, renowned for its rigorous scholarship in the fields of history and religious studies. Since its inception in 1954, this journal has served as a vital resource for researchers and scholars, covering diverse aspects of religious phenomena across cultures and epochs. With an impressive ranking of #76 in history and #29 in religious studies according to Scopus, its Q1 category distinction showcases its significant impact and relevance in the academic community, holding a remarkable 95th percentile ranking in these disciplines. While it does not currently offer Open Access, NUMEN ensures the dissemination of vital scholarly contributions to the history of religion. Researchers, professionals, and students alike will find in its pages a wealth of insightful articles that not only reflect the dynamic nature of religious studies but also stimulate further inquiry and debate in this critical field.

Religious Studies Review

Challenging Perspectives, Inspiring Understanding
Publisher: WILEYISSN: 0319-485XFrequency: 4 issues/year

Religious Studies Review is a prestigious academic journal published by WILEY, serving as a critical platform for scholarly discourse in the field of religious studies. With an ISSN of 0319-485X and an E-ISSN of 1748-0922, the journal has played an influential role in the academic community since its inception, showcasing rigorous research, book reviews, and critical essays that explore various aspects of religion and spirituality. Despite its current categorization as Q4 in the 2023 quartiles, it has a history of sharing valuable insights that provoke thought and foster dialogue among researchers, professionals, and students alike. The journal has undergone several convergence years, indicating its adaptability and ongoing relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of religious studies. While it does not currently offer open access, the wealth of knowledge contained within its pages makes it an essential resource for anyone engaged in the study of religion, particularly in the context of contemporary societal issues. Located at 111 River St, Hoboken, NJ, this journal continues to contribute to the academic discourse through its comprehensive reviews and analyses, solidifying its position as a must-read publication in the field.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF RELIGION

Advancing the discourse in religious studies.
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INCISSN: 0002-7189Frequency: 4 issues/year

The Journal of the American Academy of Religion, established in 1933, is a leading peer-reviewed journal published by Oxford University Press that serves as a significant platform for scholarly discourse in the field of religious studies. Recognized for its impact factor and esteemed ranking as Q1 in the 2023 category of Religious Studies, this journal is indexed among the top-tier publications, holding the 52nd position out of 644 in the Scopus Arts and Humanities classification. With a focus on advancing the understanding of various religious phenomena, the journal publishes innovative research that spans a wide array of contexts and traditions, making it an essential resource for researchers, scholars, and practitioners alike. While the journal does not offer open access options, its rigorous standards and rich archival content ensure that it remains a pivotal locus for academic engagements on religion in contemporary society.

Politics and Religion

Illuminating the Complexities of Governance and Belief Systems
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESSISSN: 1755-0483Frequency: 4 issues/year

Politics and Religion is a leading journal published by Cambridge University Press, focusing on the intricate interrelationships between political systems and religious beliefs. With an ISSN of 1755-0483 and an E-ISSN of 1755-0491, this esteemed journal has achieved notable recognition, being classified in the Q1 category for Religious Studies and Q2 in Sociology and Political Science in 2023. Its exceptional standing is underscored by its Scopus rankings, placing it in the 98th percentile for Religious Studies and 73rd percentile for Sociology and Political Science. Spanning research and discourse from 2008 to 2024, the journal aims to foster a deeper understanding of how political ideologies shape and are shaped by religious contexts globally. Though not open access, the journal remains a crucial resource for researchers, professionals, and students eager to explore contemporary issues at the intersection of faith and governance, uncovering insights that are relevant to diverse audiences throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.