Scholarly Journals in Religious Studies specializing in publishing research-oriented articles into the study of topics related to religion.
Generally intended for students and other scholars, these journals publish articles from credentialed authors who are scholars, researchers, and experts in the field of religious studies. Articles are typically peer-reviewed, which implies that a group of other experts in the field reviewed the article prior to its publication.
Because they are written for readers who are knowledgeable in the field of religious studies, articles in scholarly journals tend to be lengthy, to include jargon, and to assume that the reader possesses an understanding of the subject.
These journals serve as an important forum for religious researchers and academicians, and a source of significant information about recent developments in the field of religious studies. They are often the first choice for an in-depth examination of an issue related to religious studies.
In most cases, the major sections found in a scholarly article will include an abstract that summarizes the research and findings, an introduction that states the problem to be solved, a methods section that describes how the problem was studies, a results section that reports the findings, a discussion that explains the implications of the findings, and a bibliography, or list of cited works.
Generally published by Academic Societies of Religious Studies, or by Schools of Religious Studies, scholarly journals are published on a monthly, quarterly, annually, or periodically, but mostly according to a regular schedule.
The focus of this category is on these scholarly journals in religious studies, whether published online, in print or both, as long as there is a website representing the publication. It is not for single-author projects.
Journals that are focused on a specific denomination or religion should be submitted to the subcategory of World Religions that corresponds to the denomination or religion.
Recommended Resources
Published by the University of Chicago Press, the academic journal covers the study of religious phenomena from prehistorical to contemporary times. The publication’s editorial board, abstracting and indexing policies, advertising opportunities, instructions for authors, and guidance on manuscript preparation are set forth, including the rights of authors. Subscriptions and renewals may be completed online, and archived issues are available for online reading.
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/hr/current
Published online, the Journal for Interreligious Studies is a forum for academic, social, and contemporary issues that affect religious communities around the world. A collaboration between the Boston University School of Theology and Hebrew College, the publication is managed and edited by a multi-faith team of seminary and university students and established scholars. Issues as far back as 2009 are featured, and its submission guidelines are posted.
http://irstudies.org/journal/
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
JSSR is a multi-disciplinary journal of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion that publishes articles, research notes, and book reviews on subjects that relate to the social-scientific study of religion. An overview of the publication is presented, along with advertising opportunities, permissions, and information about the Society. A free sample issue may be browsed, and subscriptions may be made through the site.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14685906
Journal for the Study of Religion
Published in March and September each year by the Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa, the publication serves as a forum for scholarly contributions on topics of significance to the academic study of religion, including articles, responses to articles, review articles, and shorter book reviews. Current and past issues are featured, and articles may be found through a keyword search. Guides for researchers and authors are included.
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jsr
Founded in 1964, the peer-reviewed journal initially covered the field of Roman Catholicism, but its focus widened to include Christian-Jewish dialogue, then to a wide array of religious traditions. Subscriptions and single-issue purchases may be made, and its advertising policies, submission guidelines, and current issue abstracts are featured, along with its policies for permissions for course use.
https://jes.pennpress.org/
Journal of Religion and Popular Culture
The web-based, peer-reviewed journal is focused on the academic exploration, analysis, and interpretation of the interrelations and interactions between religion and popular culture, from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives. Current and archived issues may be accessed online, in preview, abstract, or full text, downloadable in PDF format. Author guidelines, subscriptions, and advertising opportunities are related.
https://www.utpjournals.press/loi/jrpc
Journal of the American Academy of Religion
Published by Oxford Academic, the international quarterly journal publishes scholarly articles covering the range of world religious traditions, along with studies of the methodologies by which the research has been conducted. A book review section is also included in each edition. Advance articles are revealed, along with author and book reviewer guidelines. Offprints may be ordered online, and subscriptions or single issues may be purchased.
https://academic.oup.com/jaar
Published by Cambridge University Press, "Religious Studies" is an international journal for the philosophy of religion. Arising out of classical and contemporary discussions and varied religious traditions, more than forty articles and an extensive book review section are published yearly. A subscription is required for full access to the publication, but selected articles from the most recent journal are available without a subscription. A call for papers is also included.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/religious-studies
Published through the Wiley Network for Rice University, "Religious Studies Review" is a quarterly review of publications across religious studies and related disciplines. The online journal reviews over a thousand titles annually in short and more extended review essays. Short reviews are sorted into several topical sections, while review essays may either stand alone or be grouped in a themed issue, serialization, or symposium. A free sample issue is available, with subscriptions available.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17480922
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History
Cambridge University Press has published the journal since 1950, including original research articles, scholarly reviews, book reviews, notes, and documents relating to all aspects of Christianity. Recent articles may be viewed online, and readers may subscribe through the site. An archive of all of its issues is provided. Instructions for contributors, advertising information, and its abstracting and indexing services are included.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-ecclesiastical-history
