search
Nederlands Edit
search NL

Dr. Katja Rakow

Director of Education 
Humanities
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
General
General
Associate Professor 
Humanities
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Religious Studies
Religious Studies
Janskerkhof 13
Janskerkhof 13
Kamer 1.18
3512 BL Utrecht

Dr. Katja Rakow

Director of Education
General
Associate Professor
Religious Studies
+31 30 253 3900
k.rakow@uu.nl
Profile CV Publications Activities Research Teaching Ancillary activities Contact
Profile CV Publications Activities Research Teaching Ancillary activities Contact
Areas of expertise

Publications

2025

Scholarly publications

Demeijer, F., Rakow, K., Horstmanshoff, M., & Stoffels, H. (2025). The Process of Subjectivization within a Religious Organization: A Narrative Account of Members of the Apostolic Society. Journal of Religion in Europe, 18(1), 111-134. https://doi.org/10.1163/18748929-bja10123

2024

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2024). In Conversation: From Objects to Larger Material Structures / From Belief to Practices. Material Religion, 20(1), 117-121. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432200.2024.2320599
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/438155/RAKOW_Katja_2024_In_Conversation_From_Objects_to_Larger_Material_Structures_From_Belief_to_Practices_Material_Religion_Editors_in_Conversation_.pdf?sequence=1
Dees, S., Jethro, D., Maldonado-Estrada, A., Rakow, K., & Coates, A. (2024). In Conversation: Introduction. Material Religion, 20(1), 101-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432200.2024.2320592
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/438154/Introduction.pdf?sequence=1
Rakow, K. (2024). Foreword to Shiʿi Materiality Beyond Karbala: Religion That Matters. In F. G. Marei, Y. Shanneik, & C. Funke (Eds.), Shiʿi Materiality Beyond Karbala: Religion That Matters (pp. ix-xiii). (Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 1 The Near and Middle East; Vol. 179). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004691377
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/452531/Foreword.pdf?sequence=1
Rakow, K. (2024). The Production and Performance of Multi-sensory Worship Services. In A. Adogame, C. M. Bauman, D. S. Parsitau, & J. Yip (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Megachurches (1 ed., pp. 207-220). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003222613-18

Popularising publications

Rakow, K. (2024). Moving Stairways to Heaven: How Singapore’s Megachurches Navigate Urban Infrastructures. Web publication/site, RelUrb Blog. https://doi.org/10.58079/123rg

2023

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2023). Books in Religious Studies: From Relentless Textualism to Embodied Practices. In P. Tamimi Arab, J. Scheper Hughes, & S. B. Plate (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Material Religion (pp. 113-127). (Routledge Handbooks in Religion). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351176231-10

2022

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2022). Megachurches in den USA und Singapur in transkultureller Perspektive: Ein kritischer Blick auf das Export-Narrativ From the West to the Rest. In B. Grümmer, C. Jahnel, M. Radermacher, C. Rammelt, & J. Schlamelcher (Eds.), Globale Christentümer: Theologische und religionswissenschaftliche Perspektiven (pp. 107-127). (Global Religion — Religion global; Vol. 2). Brill | Schöningh. https://doi.org/10.30965/9783657708390_007
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/425024/9783657708390_BP000013.pdf?sequence=1

2021

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2021). Religion 2.0: Thinking about religion through technology . In M. Bouquet, A. Meijer, & C. Sanders (Eds.), Writing the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Truth, Dialogue, and Historical Consciousness (pp. 88-96). Amsterdam University Press.
Rakow, K. (2021). Charismatic Healers: Embodied Practices in US and Singaporean Megachurches. In D. Lüddeckens, P. Hetmanczyk, P. E. Klassen, & J. B. Stein (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health (1 ed., pp. 215-228). (Routledge Handbooks in Religion). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315207964-18
https://research-portal.uu.nl/ws/files/233989347/10.4324_9781315207964-18_chapterpdf.pdf

2020

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2020). Of Bogeymen and The Promises of The Past o How To Construct a Uniform Identity: A Response to Markus Davidsen. NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion, 74(3), 253-262. https://doi.org/10.5117/NTT2020.3.004.RAKO
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/408845/Rakow_Of_Bogeymen_and_The_Promises_of_The_Past.pdf?sequence=1
Rakow, K. (2020). The Light of the World: Mediating Divine Presence Through Light and Sound in a Contemporary Megachurch. Material Religion, 16(1), 84-107. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432200.2019.1696561
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/407792/The_Light_of_the_World_Mediating_Divine_Presence_through_Light_and_Sound_in_a_Contemporary_Megachurch.pdf?sequence=1
Rakow, K. (2020). The Material Dimension of the Bible from Print to Digital Text. In T. R. Clark, & D. W. Clanton (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of the Bible and American Popular Culture (pp. 414-432). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190461416.013.25
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/414419/The_Oxford_Handbook_of_the_Bible_and_American_Popular_Culture_ch23.pdf?sequence=2

2019

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K., & Bühler, S., (TRANS.) (2019). Weihnachten in der Orchard Road in Singapur: Wie das Geschenk Jesu Christi zwischen Gucci und Tiffany gefeiert wird. In M. Scheer, & P. E. Klassen (Eds.), Der Unterschied, den Weihnachten macht: Differenz und Zugehoerigkeit in multikulturellen Gesellschaften (pp. 253-281). tvv Tübinger Vereinigung für Volkskunde e.V..
Rakow, K., & Berg-Chan, E. (2019). The transcultural dynamics of naming: The appropriation and contestation of “Evangelical” and “Pentecostal” as identity markers in local contexts. PentecoStudies: An Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, 99-110. https://doi.org/10.1558/pent.38767
Maltese, G., Bachmann, J., & Rakow, K. (2019). Negotiating Evangelicalism and Pentecostalism: Global Entanglements, Identity Politics and the Future of Pentecostal Studies. PentecoStudies: An Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, 18(1), 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1558/pent.38778
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/384208/Maltese_Bachmann_Rakow_PentecoStudies_18_1_FinalProof.pdf?sequence=1
Rakow, K. (2019). Christmas on Orchard Road in Singapore: Celebrating the Gift of Jesus Christ Between Gucci and Tiffany. In M. Scheer, & P. Klassen (Eds.), The Public Work of Christmas: Difference and Belonging in Multicultural Societies (pp. 212-239). (Advancing Studies in Religion Series). McGill-Queen’s University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780773557956-012
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/386019/Rakow_Katja_Chapter10_PublicWorkChristmas_proofs_.pdf?sequence=1

Popularising publications

Rakow, K. (2019). Boeddhisme: Filosofie of religie? In J. Wagemakers, & L. van Liere (Eds.), Wie is er bang voor religie?: Waarom kennis van religie belangrijk is (pp. 229-234). Uitgeverij Parthenon.
Rakow, K. (2019). Geweld in naam van de Boeddha? In J. Wagemakers, & L. van Liere (Eds.), Wie is er bang voor religie?: Waarom kennis van religie belangrijk is (pp. 125-130). Uitgeverij Parthenon.

2017

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2017). The Bible in the Digital Age: Negotiating the Limits of ‘Bibleness’ of Different Bible Media. In M. Opas, & A. Haapalainen (Eds.), Christianity and the Limits of Materiality (1 ed., pp. 101-121). ( Bloomsbury Studies in Material Religion). Bloomsbury.

2016

Scholarly publications

König, D. G., & Rakow, K. (2016). The Transcultural Approach Within a Disciplinary Framework: An Introduction. Transcultural Studies, 2016(2), 89-100. https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.ts.2016.2.23642
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/348621/Koenig_Rakow_2017_Transcultural_Approach_Within_A_Disciplinary_Framework_An_Introduction.pdf?sequence=1
Berg, E., & Rakow, K. (2016). Religious Studies and Transcultural Studies: Revealing a Cosmos Not Known Before? Transcultural Studies, 2016(2), 180-203. https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.ts.2016.2.23603
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/348620/RAKOW_Katja_BERG_Esther_2017_Religious_Studies_and_Transcultural_Studies_Revealing_a_Cosmos_Not_Known_Before_.pdf?sequence=1

2015

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2015). Religious Branding and the Quest to Meet Consumer Needs: Joel Osteen’s ‘Message of Hope’. In J. Stievermann, P. Goff, & D. Junker (Eds.), Religion and the Marketplace in the United States: New Perspectives and New Findings (pp. 215-239). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199361793.003.0010
Rakow, K. (2015). Therapeutische Kultur und Sprachpraktiken als Medium der Subjektbildung: Das Thema Heilung in Diskurs und Praxis der Lakewood Church in Texas, USA. In G. Klinkhammer, & E. Tolksdorf (Eds.), Somatisierung des Religiösen: Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf den rezenten religiösen Heilungs- und Therapiemarkt (Vol. 7, pp. 49-96). (VIRR - Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Religionswissenschaft und Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Religionswissenschaft und Religionspädagogik; Vol. 7). Universität Bremen: Institut für Religionswissenschaft und Religionspädagogik. http://elib.suub.uni-bremen.de/edocs/00104231-1.pdf
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/320840/Rakow_2015_Sprachpraktiken_In_Klinkhammer_Tolksdorf_Hrsg._2015_Somatisierung_des_Religi_sen_copy.pdf?sequence=1

2014

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2014). Transformationen des tibetischen Buddhismus im 20. Jahrhundert: Chögyam Trungpa und die Entwicklung von Shambhala Training. (Critical Studies in Religion/Religionswissenschaft (CSRRW); Vol. 7). Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. http://www.v-r.de/de/transformationen_des_tibetischen_buddhismus_im_20_jahrhundert/t-0/1011413/
Rakow, K., & Emling, S. (2014). Moderne religiöse Erlebniswelten in den USA: “Have Fun and Prepare to Believe!” . (Transformierte Religionen; Vol. 1). Reimer Verlag. http://www.reimer-mann-verlag.de/controller.php?cmd=detail&titelnummer=102860&verlag=4

2013

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2013). Review: Donald S. Lopez (2011): The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography, Princeton University Press. Religion, 43(2), 297-300.
Rakow, K. (2013). Therapeutic Culture and Religion in America. Religion Compass, 7(11), 485-497. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec3.12074

2012

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K., Prohl, I., & Beckerle, S. (2012). Neue Rituale des Trauerns und Bedauerns: Religiöse und spirituelle Praktiken im Umgang mit Sterben und Tod. In M. Anderheiden, & W. U. Eckart (Eds.), Handbuch Sterben und Menschenwürde (pp. 1417-1436). De Gruyter.
Rakow, K. (2012). Kālacakra in Transition: From the Apocalypse to the Promotion of World Peace. In I. Keul (Ed.), Transformation and Transfer of Tantra in Asia and Beyond (pp. 395-415). (Religion and Society; Vol. 52). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110258110.413
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/354823/Rakow_2012_Kalacakra_in_Transition.pdf?sequence=1

2011

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2011). ‘Take the un out of the undead!’: Zur diskursiven Konstruktion der Attribute ‘lebendig’, ‘tot’ und ‘untot’ in der amerikanischen Fernsehserie True Blood. In K. Rakow, N. Miczek, & G. Ahn (Eds.), Diesseits, Jenseits und Dazwischen?: Zur Transformation undKonstruktion von Sterben, Tod und Postmortalität (pp. 93-120). transcript Verlag.
Rakow, K. (2011). Die Transformation des Tibetischen Totenbuchs im 20. Jahrhundert. Vom Wandern durch die postmortalen Bardos zu einer Reise in die Räume des Bewusstseins. In K. Rakow, N. Miczek, & G. Ahn (Eds.), Diesseits, Jenseits und Dazwischen?: Zur Transformation undKonstruktion von Sterben, Tod und Postmortalität (pp. 175-202). transcript Verlag.
Rakow, K., Miczek, N., & Ahn, G. (Eds.) (2011). Diesseits, Jenseits und Dazwischen? Die Transformation und Konstruktion von Sterben, Tod und Postmortalität. transcript Verlag. http://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-1638-5/diesseits-jenseits-und-dazwischen#
Rakow, K. (2011). Review: Steven J. Sutcliffe (2003): Children of the New Age: A History of Spiritual Practices, Routledge. Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review, 2(2), 426-430.

2008

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2008). Das Tibetische Totenbuch: Vom tibetischen Ritualtext zum spirituellen Klassiker. Transformierte Buddhismen, 1, 82-107. http://journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/tb/article/view/10065/3920
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/349336/Rakow_Tibetisches_Totenbuch_2008.pdf?sequence=1
Rakow, K., & Prohl, I. (2008). Transformationen buddhistisch inspirierter Vorstellungen und Praktiken: Eine empirische Studie im Raum Berlin. Transformierte Buddhismen, 01, 3-27. http://journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/tb/article/view/10062/3917
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/349335/Prohl_Rakow_Buddhismus_in_Berlin_2008.pdf?sequence=1

2004

Scholarly publications

Rakow, K. (2004). Neuere Entwicklungen in der Neuapostolischen Kirche: Eine Dokumentation des Öffnungsprozesses. Weissensee Verlag.

Go to

Services

About UU