Understanding Theology and Popular Culture
1. Auflage November 2004
256 Seiten, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-1-4051-1747-0
John Wiley & Sons
Understanding Theology and Popular Culture is one of the first books to give an overview of the key issues and methods in this field of study.
* Provides a detailed introduction to key theories and debates in popular cultural studies
* Presents a reasoned argument about the distinctive contribution that theology can make to the study of popular culture
* Illustrated through a range of original case studies, from Eminem to The Simpsons
* Suitable for both beginning students and more advanced researchers.
* The author has created the Theology and Popular Culture Gateway which is one of the first academic Internet gateways for the study of theology and contemporary culture.
List of Figures and Tables.
Preface.
1 What is "Popular Culture"?.
2 Why Should Theologians and Scholars of Religion Study Popular Culture?.
3 Machines, TVs, and Shopping: The Shape of Everyday Life in Contemporary Western Society.
4 Can Popular Culture Be Bad For Your Health?.
5 Developing a Theological Approach to the Study of Popular Culture.
6 An Author-Focused Approach to Studying Popular Culture: Eminem and the Redemption Of Violence.
7 Text-Based Approaches To Studying Popular Culture: "Homer The Heretic" and Civil Religion.
8 An Ethnographic Approach to Studying Popular Culture: The Religious Significance of Club Culture.
9 Taking Steps Towards A Theological Aesthetics of Popular Culture.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index
Preface.
1 What is "Popular Culture"?.
2 Why Should Theologians and Scholars of Religion Study Popular Culture?.
3 Machines, TVs, and Shopping: The Shape of Everyday Life in Contemporary Western Society.
4 Can Popular Culture Be Bad For Your Health?.
5 Developing a Theological Approach to the Study of Popular Culture.
6 An Author-Focused Approach to Studying Popular Culture: Eminem and the Redemption Of Violence.
7 Text-Based Approaches To Studying Popular Culture: "Homer The Heretic" and Civil Religion.
8 An Ethnographic Approach to Studying Popular Culture: The Religious Significance of Club Culture.
9 Taking Steps Towards A Theological Aesthetics of Popular Culture.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index
"This presumes some level of bricolage, but I think it is
safe to say this seems normal in the modern West. As Lynch argues,
in so far as theology is concerned with "issues of truth,
goodness, evil, suffering, redemption, and beauty" ( 37) then
it becomes clear that popular culture, as it is engaged with
similar themes, is an important field of investigation for
theologians, and thus for anyone interested in the study of
religions." (International Journal for the Study of
New Religions, 2012)
"It offers an engaging and well-informed synthesis of
contemporary theological reflection in the context of today's
popular culture ... An excellent volume that will serve the
discussion of theology and popular culture well."
Jeff Keuss, Northwest Graduate School
"Lynch has written an excellent introduction for dialogue
between theology and popular culture. . . This book is useful in
undergraduate or graduate courses in religion and popular culture,
media studies or individuals interest in critical reflection on
theology and popular culture."
Religious Studies Review
"What is 'popular' about popular culture? What is the
relationship between religion and popular culture? Why would a
theologian, or anyone involved in the study of religion, give
attention to popular culture? The work of theologians and others
related to popular culture often begs such questions. Lynch's book
is important in that it puts such questions in perspective. This
book clarifies the exchange between religion and popular culture
and what scholars have made of the interconnections. Understanding
Theology and Popular Culture is an intriguing and insightful study.
I highly recommend it."
Anthony B. Pinn, Rice University
"This is an excellent introduction to the field of cultural
studies as a whole, as well as providing a clear map of the ways in
which theology and religious studies have sought to engage with
popular culture."
Third Way
"Lynch's discussion of the definitions of popular
culture provides an excellent introduction to the topic, and his
rationale for theology joining other academic disciplines in the
serious study of popular is convincing... Informed throughout
by a wide reading in the literature of popular culture, this book
deserves careful consideration for any course focusing on the
understanding of theology and popular culture."
Choice
"Those of us who have plunged deeply (and boldly, if somewhat
unpreparedly) into the murky interdisciplinary waters of studying
theology and popular culture will no doubt be grateful to have
Gordon Lynch as a lifeguard, throwing us a lifeline of method and
theory for which we were desparately searching."
Gaye Williams Ortiz, Augusta State University, Journal of
Contemporary Religion
"Understanding Theology and Popular Culture is a
well-structured volume which competently deals with the work of a
wide range of theologians, philosophers and cultural researchers.
This will, therefore, be an extremely valuable book for students
and other readers."
Crucible, July-Sept 2006
safe to say this seems normal in the modern West. As Lynch argues,
in so far as theology is concerned with "issues of truth,
goodness, evil, suffering, redemption, and beauty" ( 37) then
it becomes clear that popular culture, as it is engaged with
similar themes, is an important field of investigation for
theologians, and thus for anyone interested in the study of
religions." (International Journal for the Study of
New Religions, 2012)
"It offers an engaging and well-informed synthesis of
contemporary theological reflection in the context of today's
popular culture ... An excellent volume that will serve the
discussion of theology and popular culture well."
Jeff Keuss, Northwest Graduate School
"Lynch has written an excellent introduction for dialogue
between theology and popular culture. . . This book is useful in
undergraduate or graduate courses in religion and popular culture,
media studies or individuals interest in critical reflection on
theology and popular culture."
Religious Studies Review
"What is 'popular' about popular culture? What is the
relationship between religion and popular culture? Why would a
theologian, or anyone involved in the study of religion, give
attention to popular culture? The work of theologians and others
related to popular culture often begs such questions. Lynch's book
is important in that it puts such questions in perspective. This
book clarifies the exchange between religion and popular culture
and what scholars have made of the interconnections. Understanding
Theology and Popular Culture is an intriguing and insightful study.
I highly recommend it."
Anthony B. Pinn, Rice University
"This is an excellent introduction to the field of cultural
studies as a whole, as well as providing a clear map of the ways in
which theology and religious studies have sought to engage with
popular culture."
Third Way
"Lynch's discussion of the definitions of popular
culture provides an excellent introduction to the topic, and his
rationale for theology joining other academic disciplines in the
serious study of popular is convincing... Informed throughout
by a wide reading in the literature of popular culture, this book
deserves careful consideration for any course focusing on the
understanding of theology and popular culture."
Choice
"Those of us who have plunged deeply (and boldly, if somewhat
unpreparedly) into the murky interdisciplinary waters of studying
theology and popular culture will no doubt be grateful to have
Gordon Lynch as a lifeguard, throwing us a lifeline of method and
theory for which we were desparately searching."
Gaye Williams Ortiz, Augusta State University, Journal of
Contemporary Religion
"Understanding Theology and Popular Culture is a
well-structured volume which competently deals with the work of a
wide range of theologians, philosophers and cultural researchers.
This will, therefore, be an extremely valuable book for students
and other readers."
Crucible, July-Sept 2006
Gordon Lynch is Lecturer in Practical Theology at the University of Birmingham. His previous publications include After Religion: "Generation X" and the Search for Meaning (2002). He has also created the Theology and Popular Culture Gateway which is one of the first academic Internet gateways for the study of theology and contemporary culture.