About the Journal

Focus and Scope

The purpose of the On Knowing Humanity Journal is to promote the development of a Christian faith-based approach to anthropology.  This new school of thought in Christian anthropology, parallel to Marxist or feminist anthropologies, is located within the larger discipline of anthropology.  It encourages all anthropologists to incorporate insights from theology into their accounts of people and cultures, and allows religiously committed anthropologists to speak freely of the ways in which their commitments inform their theory and practice.  It also raises new questions and lines of research on subjects such as:  the significance of humanity's unique calling in nature for personhood and the construction of culture; the underlying reasons for humanity’s destructive behavior toward self, others, and the environment; and the role that divine redemption and hope play in human lived experience and practice.  Special emphasis is placed on the reincorporation of teleology, in the sense of purpose, into scientific understanding.  Through collaborative research and scholarship, the OKH Journal invites dialogue between Christian anthropologists and anthropologists of all persuasions around a deeper understanding of the human condition, and encourages the doing of anthropological research and writing “through the eyes of faith.”

Peer Review Process

Full length articles are reviewed by two reviewers using a double-blind process.  The journal editor makes the final decision regarding publication.  Articles are judged according to the following criteria:

1. Relevance of Article:  How does the article relate to the mission of the OKH journal?  In what ways does it bring Christian theology into the study of anthropology?

2. Quality of Article:  What is the quality of the scholarship in the article? Is it properly cited and are the citations recent and relevant?  Is the level of discourse appropriate for a peer reviewed journal in an academic field?

3. Clarity of the Argument:  Is there a clear argument based on good research? Does it provide new information or insights? Is the information likely to be interesting to readers of this journal?

4. Use of Supporting Evidence:  Is the argument supported by a depth understanding of the relevant scholarship and literature? Does it present supporting evidence appropriately to make a convincing argument?

5. Quality of Writing:  What is the quality of the writing? Is the writing clear, concise, logical, and accessible to both scholars and the general public?

Publication Frequency

The OKH Journal is published twice annually, in January and July.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Sponsors

Eastern University

   https://www.eastern.edu/ 

The John Templeton Foundation

   The John Templeton Foundation

Journal History

The On Knowing Humanity Journal is the product of a research project of the same name, originally sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation, and located at Eastern University in the Philadelphia area.  The OKH project has brought together scholars from across the country and around the world to discuss and write about the potential benefits of incorporating Christian theology into anthropology.  A conference was held at Eastern in 2014 which resulted in an edited volume, also entitled On Knowing Humanity, and published by Routledge in 2017.  The OKH Journal continues that work by expanding the opportunities for scholars to research and write anthropology through the eyes of Christian faith.