Middlesex University Research Repository An open access repository of Middlesex University research http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk Benavidez, Edwardneil (2020) Appropriation, translation and transformation of institutionalised development discourses: the case of faith-based organisations doing development work in the Philippines. PhD thesis, Middlesex University / Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. [Thesis] Final accepted version (with author’s formatting) This version is available at: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/32991/ Copyright: Middlesex University Research Repository makes the University’s research available electronically. Copyright and moral rights to this work are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners unless otherwise stated. The work is supplied on the understanding that any use for commercial gain is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study without prior permission and without charge. 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See also repository copyright: re-use policy: http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/policies.html#copy Appropriation, Translation and Transformation of Institutionalised Development Discourses: The Case of Faith-based Organisations Doing Development Work in the Philippines Edwardneil A. Benavidez OCMS, Ph.D March, 2020 ABSTRACT This study looks into the experiences of five Evangelical faith-based organisations which are doing development work in Metro Manila, Philippines. Using an analytical framework informed by discourse theory and institutionalism, this study provides a description on each of four dimensions of the development work of FBOs: the first dimension is practices/actions, which relates to the program activities of FBOs; the second is community/actor, which refers to the actor’s network and his or her role in translating or transforming institutionalised discourses (e.g. models) that are put into practice/action; the third is discourse, which identifies teachings or ideas that may frame the understanding of actors; and the fourth is institutions, which identifies models and innovations adopted by actors. This study also explains how and why actors appropriate or contest, and translate or transform development models or innovations that they encounter through their interactions with other actors. ii Appropriation, Translation and Transformation of Institutionalised Development Discourses: The Case of Faith-based Organisations Doing Development Work in the Philippines A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Middlesex University By Edwardneil A. Benavidez March, 2020 Oxford Centre for Mission Studies iii iv v vi DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my late dad, 2Lt Eduardo C. Benavidez, who loved me, believed in me, and encouraged me until the time that he died. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank my family, my loving wife Doreen, my daughter Abigail, my son Nathan, Mommy Nelia, Mama Wilma, Ned, AJ and Jaco, Kalai and Love. I would also like to thank all who supported me and prayed for me. Thank you also to my PCCC and OCMS family. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1. Religion, Development and Post-Development 1 1.2. Research Questions and Objectives 8 1.3. Significance of the Study 9 1.4. Scope and Limitations of the Study 10 1.5. Outline of the Study 11 Chapter 2: Literature Review 13 2.1. Religion 13 2.2. Development 24 2.3. Faith-Based Organisations 49 2.4. Discourse Theory 55 2.5. Institutions 66 2.6. Summary 91 Chapter 3: Theoretical and Analytical Framework 93 3.1. Conceptualising Religion and Development 93 3.2. Dimensions of Religion and Development 94 3.3. Application to the Study 98 Chapter 4: Methodology 101 4.1. Research Approaches in the Study of Religions and Development 101 4.2. Research Paradigm and Approach in this Study 106 4.3. Case Studies 107 4.4. Data Gathering Methods 110 4.5. Data Analysis Approach 111 4.6. Conclusion 112 Chapter 5: The Context oF the Development Work oF FBOs in the Philippines 113 5.1. Introduction 113 5.2. The Religious Context 116 5.3. The Economic Development Context 118 Chapter 6: The Case oF PCMN 125 6.1. Beginnings 125 6.2. Vision and Mission 126 6.3. Collaborative Partnership as Key Strategy 127 6.4. Programs 128 6.5. Community as actors 134 Chapter 7: The Case oF Tondo Blessed Hope, Care Channels, Reach Youth, and Visions oF Hope 141 7.1. Tondo Blessed Hope Bible Baptist Church 141 7.2. Care Channels International 152 7.3. Reach Youth Ministries Inc. 157 7.4. Visions of Hope Foundation Inc. 168 7.5. Community as Actors 173 7.6. Practice as Action 182 7.7. Practice as the Action of Transmitting, Translating and Editing Development Programs 187 7.8. Conclusion 188 Chapter 8: Discourse and Institution 189 8.1. Poverty Discourse 189 8.2. Holistic Transformation Discourse 191 8.3. Faith and Spirituality Discourse 195 8.4. Collaboration Discourse 197 8.5. Well-being Discourse 198 8.6. Characteristics of Development Work of FBOs 198 8.7. Institutions 200 8.8. Conclusion 200 ix Chapter 9: Summary and Conclusion 201 9.1. Summary 201 9.2. Conclusion 202 Bibliography 205 x Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1. RELIGION, DEVELOPMENT AND POST-DEVELOPMENT The influence of modernism and secularism stirs uneasiness in linking religion and development. How can religion, which is traditional, be related to development that is typically associated with industrialisation, economic growth, and modernisation? The basic themes of modernisation and secularisation theories are rooted in the writings of Durkheim and Weber, specifically their view of the contrast between the traditional (in which they include religion) and the modern.1 Modernisation theory classifies what is considered to be traditional and modern in terms of people’s values, norms, and beliefs, and holds that changes in these values, norms, and beliefs are key towards a transition from traditional to modern.2 Change, it is asserted, happens as traditional values, norms, and beliefs yield to the pressures of modernisation. In particular, it is assumed that when societies become modern, the ‘sacred’ loses its prominence, giving way to the ‘secular’, meaning that religion will cease to exist (or at least will no longer have a public role) when societies become modern or developed.3 In this view, religion is understood as ‘the opium of society’ by Marx4, as ‘sacred’, that is separated from the ‘profane’, by Durkheim,5 and as traditional and irrational by Weber,6 pointing to the supposedly negative effect of religion in society and setting it in opposition to the goals of ‘development’, such as rationality and the achievement of material or worldly aims. Religion, from the perspective of modernism and secularism, was deemed likely to become irrelevant and was excluded from mainstream discussions on development to the extent that it became “a development taboo”.7,8 On the occasions when religion and development are both discussed, “religion is generally couched in limited stereotypes 1 Andrew Webster, “Modernisation Theory” in Development Studies: An Introduction through Selected Readings, Greenwich Readers: 3, Ayres, Ron, ed. (Dartford, Kent, UK: Greenwich University Press, 1995); Séverine Deneulin and Masooda. Bano, Religion in Development: Rewriting the Secular Script (London: Zed Books, 2009) 2 Webster, “Modernisation theory” 3 Deneulin and Bano, Religion in Development 42 EmmaWebster, Tomalin “Modernisation and Interna theory”tional Development Dept., University of Birmingham, Sociology, Religion and3 Deneulin Development: and Bano, Literature Religion Reviewin Development, Religions and Development Research Programme (Birmingham: International4 Emma Tomalin Development and Interna Department,tional Development University Dept., of Birmingham, University 2007), of Birmingham, Sociology, Religion and5 Emile Development: Durkheim, TheLiterature Elementary Review Forms, Religions of the Religiousand Development Life (Great Research Britain: BiddlesProgramme Ltd., (Birmingham: 1976) International6 Bryan S. Turner, Development “The Sociology Department, of Religion,” University in ofThe Birmingham, SAGE Handbook 2007), of Sociology, Calhoun, Craig J.; Rojek,5 Emile Chris; Durkheim, Turner, The Bryan Elementary S (eds.) Forms (London: of the Sage Religious Publications, Life (Great Inc, 2005)Britain: Biddles Ltd., 1976) 76 BryanMatthew S. Clarke,Turner, Development“The Sociology and of Religion: Religion,” Theology in The SAGEand Practice Handbook (Cheltenham: of Sociology Edward, Calhoun, Elgar, Craig 2011) J.; Rojek,8 Kurt AlanChris; ver Turner, Beek, Bryan“Spirituality: