The Undead and Theology

The Undead and Theology

The Undead and Theology

The Undead and Theology

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Overview

The academy and pop culture alike recognize the great symbolic and teaching value of the undead, whether vampires, zombies, or other undead or living-dead creatures. This has been explored variously from critiques of consumerism and racism, through explorations of gender and sexuality, to consideration of the breakdown of the nuclear family. Most academic examinations of the undead have been undertaken from the perspectives of philosophy and political theory, but another important avenue of exploration comes through theology. Through the vampire, the zombie, the Golem, and Cenobites, contributors address a variety of theological issues by way of critical reflection on the divine and the sacred in popular culture through film, television, graphic novels, and literature.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781621894445
Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date: 09/21/2012
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 296
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Kim Paffenroth is Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College. He has written numerous books on the Bible, theology, and the intersection of Christianity with popular culture, as well as several horror novels.

John W. Morehead works in religion and popular culture. He has contributed essays to various works on horror, science fiction, and religion in popular culture.
Kim Paffenroth is Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College. He has written numerous books on the Bible, theology, and the intersection of Christianity with popular culture, as well as several horror novels.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction ix

Contributors xvii

Part 1 Vampires

1 Vampires and Female Spiritual Transformation: Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Vicky Gilpin 3

2 Crossing the Spiritual Wasteland in Priest Joseph Lay cock 19

3 Vampires Are People, Too: Personalism in the Buffyverse Jarrod Longbons 34

4 The Vampire that Haunts Highgate: Theological Evil, Hammer Horror, and the Highgate Vampire Panic in Britain, 1963-1974 W. Scott Poole 54

Part 2 Zombies

5 The Living Christ and The Walking Dead: Karl Barth and the Theological Zombie Jessica DeCou 79

6 Zombie Walks, Zombie Jesus, and the Eschatology of Postmodern Flesh John W. Morehead 101

7 When All Is Lost, Gather 'Round: Solidarity as Hope Resisting Despair in The Walking Dead Ashley Moyse 124

8 Apocalyptic Images and Prophetic Function in Zombie Films Kim Paffenroth 145

9 Negotiating (Non)Existence: Justifications of Violence in Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead J. Ryan Parker 165

Part 3 Other Undead

10 When You're Undead, the Whole World Is Jewish Arnold T. Blumberg 195

11 "Eat of My Body and Drink of My Blood": Johannine Metaphor, Gothic Subculture, and the Undead Beth Stovell 209

12 Fire, Brimstone and PVC: Clive Barker's Cenobites as Agents of Hell Andrea Subissati 227

Bibliography 241

Index 257

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Both theologians and fans should appreciate this collection that explores the spiritual implications of society's fascination with the undead and other monsters, providing valuable insights into human nature and theology. A notable contribution to pop culture studies."
—Elizabeth L. Rambo
Associate Professor of English
Campbell University

"What can AMC's popular television series, The Walking Dead, the mythical golem creature in Jewish folklore, and the demon 'cenobites' who rule hell in Clive Barker's fiction tell us about pressing theological matters? This clever, insightful, and energetic collection of essays brings monsters into conversation with the resurrection of Jesus, and considers the eschatological implications of the return of the dead . . . An excellent resource for students who know these worlds all too well, as well as a general audience growing more and more curious about the religious dimensions of popular culture."
—Gary Laderman,
Professor of American Religious History and Cultures
Emory University

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