Theology, Religion, and Dystopia

Dystopia, a genre that explores negative aspects of society, has gained popularity in the twenty-first century. This book discusses approaches to studying dystopia from theology and religious studies, engaging with popular culture to explore themes such as critical function, social location, identity, violence, apocalypse, sacrifice, catharsis, and dystopian existentialism. The volume responds to the need for theological and religious reflection on dystopia in a world facing climate change, pandemics, and global war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Dystopia, derived from the Greek words dus and topos, meaning "bad place," has emerged as a captivating genre and concept that has gained immense popularity in the early 21st century. This book explores various approaches to studying dystopia within the academic domains of theology and religious studies. It begins with a co-written chapter by Scott Donahue-Martens and Brandon Simonson, where they propose that dystopia can be perceived as demythologized apocalyptic. Subsequently, ten distinct contributions engage with popular culture works, such as books, movies, or television shows, offering unique perspectives on dystopian themes. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including the critical role of dystopia, social location and identity, violence, apocalypse and the end of everything, sacrifice, catharsis, and dystopian existentialism. This volume responds to the growing demand for theological and religious contemplation on dystopia in a world increasingly plagued by climate change, pandemics, and global conflicts.

Dystopia, from the Greek dus and topos, meaning "bad place," has emerged as a captivating genre and concept that has gained immense popularity in the early 21st century. This book explores various approaches to studying dystopia within the academic domains of theology and religious studies. It begins with a co-written chapter by Scott Donahue-Martens and Brandon Simonson, where they propose that dystopia can be perceived as demythologized apocalyptic. Subsequently, ten distinct contributions engage with popular culture works, such as books, movies, or television shows, offering unique perspectives on dystopian themes. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including the critical role of dystopia, social location and identity, violence, apocalypse and the end of everything, sacrifice, catharsis, and dystopian existentialism. This volume responds to the growing demand for theological and religious contemplation on dystopia in a world increasingly plagued by climate change, pandemics, and global conflicts.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 237 x 160 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978713291