Each of the articles just presented in this issue calls for greater emphasis on theology in social scientific studies of religion. White (1968), however, advocated an interactional approach to the study of religion which he considered to be in direct opposition with theological approaches. At a time when religion in America is becoming more diverse, through formation of new religions, intradenominational diversity and theological dissent, and growth in numbers of individuals formulating their own personal theologies, social scientists need to combine theological and interactional approaches to adequately portray the nature and place of religion in society. After comments on each of the articles, an argument for and discussion of possible means to achieve that synthesis are presented.
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