book review Water, Christianity and the Rise of Capitalism book written by Mr. Terje Oestigaard reviewed by Mr. Len Abrams, SIWI Associate

This is not a book for the faint hearted. The popular wisdom of avoiding the topics of religion and politics in polite conversation is not without good reason! Water has always been an integral part of human experience – both as blessing and as curse. It is not surprising therefore that it is deeply embedded in the holy writings and faith traditions of the world’s religions.

estigaard undertakes a brave and properties of water fascinating venture in tracing and phenomena such O the role of water in the Hebrew as the Hydrological scriptures of the ‘Old Testament’, in the Cycle, water became Christian scriptures and through two ‘de-mystified’ and thousand years of ecclesiastical history and regarded as an amaz- tradition. The work provides a thorough ing part of divine analysis of the role of water in scripture creation, rather than both as an instrument of judgement and of as a substance with blessing. Water (or the lack of it) plays a key intrinsic magic or role throughout the history of Israel against spiritual abilities. a backdrop of the climatic conditions of Oestigaard traces the Ancient Near East. In particular the the movement from rite of baptism and the nature of the waters superstition to ration- of baptism is discussed, ranging from the alism through the reformation, empha- baptism of Jesus to the changing charac- sising that this was both a political and about the author teristics of the sacrament of baptism in the religious process. Whether or not changing Catholic and Protestant traditions. beliefs and the elimination of magic and Terje Oestigaard is a researcher at Different perspectives on water, whether superstition as reflected in the changing the Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, it is believed to inherently possess spiritual views on the nature of water were a cause Sweden. Apart from Scandinavia, qualities (for good or evil), or only reflect of the rise of the protestant work ethic, is he has conducted fieldworks in such qualities symbolically, are indicative moot. That the Reformation resulted in an Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, of the primary fault lines between the ethic which regarded economic success as Jordan, India, Nepal, Palestine and Catholic and Reformed traditions. This is religious merit, leading to the Industrial Tanzania. Oestigaards main research illustrated with specific reference to beliefs Revolution and capitalism is clear. interests are death rituals and cre- surrounding holy water and holy wells in No doubt not everyone will agree with mations, water and religion, and England. For the ordinary lay person water what the author regards as Christian doc- political archaeology. was regarded as a defence against evil trine and beliefs in relation to water and and a means to induce blessing, fertility other matters, but all serious readers will His current project is ”Rainmaking and protection. As the Enlightenment be impressed by the thorough treatment and Climate Change in Tanzania: brought greater understanding of the of the topic. Traditions, Rituals and Globalisation”. natural universe, including the physical ► oestigaard.com

14 waterfront • No. 2 July • 2013