. Look at the origin of the academic study of religion by Christian scholars. Trace some of the early history and reasons for the scholarly pursuit. Why did this come about in a Christian context in Western Europe? Look at some of the developments in the field of Philosophy in the 1700’s & 1800’s that led up to the ways we began to look at our own religion as well as the religions of others. (See Chapter 1 & 2 of your text Embarking Upon the Study of Religion.)