“Fear the Walking Dead” adds Jewish character
Fear the Walking Dead recently introduced a Jewish character to the series, a rabbi. Alex Zalben discusses why this is important in a piece in the Decider.
Titles of Interest – “Science Fiction and the Imitation of the Sacred”
Science Fiction and the Imitation of the Sacred Richard Grigg Bloomsberry, 2018 This book examines science fiction’s relationship to religion and the sacred through the lens of significant books, films and television shows. It provides a clear account of the larger cultural and philosophical significance of science fiction, and explores its potential sacrality in today’s […]
Announcing a new journal and call for papers: The Journal of Gods and Monsters
The Journal of Gods and Monsters Special Issue: The Monstrosity of Displacement We are pleased to announce the creation of a new double blind, peer-reviewed, open access journal exploring the relationships between religion, monsters, and the monstrous: The Journal of Gods and Monsters. Headed by editors Natasha Mikles, John Morehead, Michael E. Heyes, and Brandon […]
Interview with Matthew Brake of Pop Culture and Theology
This morning I had a conversation with Matthew Brake of the Pop Culture and Theology website. I hope you enjoy our video podcast. You can visit his website here.
ZYGON essay: “The Creation Account in Genesis and the Idea of the Artificial Humanoid
Terry Wright of the Sacred Writings blog made me aware of the following essay in ZYGON: Journal of Religion and Science: “CREATORS AND CREATURES: THE CREATION ACCOUNT IN GENESIS AND THE IDEA OF THE ARTIFICIAL HUMANOID” Gábor Ambrus First published: 19 August 2019 https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12534 Abstract Science fiction, this article argues, provides an imaginative domain which can […]
Interview with Mathias Clasen on a Biocultural Approach to the Appeal of Horror
A few years ago I broadened the academic lenses through which I study religion. This involved a biocultural approach which includes disciplines like social psychology, the cognitive science of religion, and evolutionary psychology. Since an important emphasis of this blog is to look at the intersection of religion, genre, and pop culture, I was pleased […]
Titles of Interest – Monsters of Film, Fiction, and Fable: The Cultural Link Between the Human and the Inhuman
Monsters of Film, Fiction, and Fable: The Cultural Link Between the Human and the Inhuman Edited by Lisa Wenger Bro, Crystal O’Leary-Davidson, and Mary Ann Gareis Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2018 Monsters are a part of every society, and ours is no exception. They are deeply embedded in our history, our mythos, and our culture. However, […]
“The Sacred in Fantastic Fandom: Essays on the Intersection of Religion and Pop Culture” now available
The Sacred in Fantastic Fandom: Essays on the Intersection of Religion and Pop Culture (McFarland, 2019). This is another work of mine that was recently completed. I am especially thankful for my co-editors who came on at my invitation to help finish the volume once an urgent personal issue upended my writing and editing schedule. […]
“The Paranormal and Popular Culture: A Postmodern Religious Landscape” now available
The Paranormal and Popular Culture: A Postmodern Religious Landscape (Routledge, 2019). This book makes a contribution to a number of academic disciplines, from the paranormal and religious studies to popular culture and media studies. As a hardbound academic volume it’s pricey, but perhaps you can secure one through university interlibrary loan, or a future paperback […]
Doug Cowan on “Magic, Monsters, and Make-Believe Heroes: How Myth and Religion Shape Fantasy Culture”
Doug Cowan, a frequent guest at TheoFantastique, returns to discuss his book Magic, Monsters, and Make-Believe Heroes: How Myth and Religion Shape Fantasy Culture (University of California Press, 2019). Enjoy the interview, and pick up a copy of this great book.
