Title: Theology, Religion, and Ted Lasso

Volume Editor: Daniel J. Cameron

Abstract and CV Due: January 31, 2024

Initial Final Paper Due: April 30, 2024

Dr. Karen Eifler of the University of Portland published an article in March 2023 for the National Catholic Reporter entitled “Why Religion Needs Ted Lasso.” In her short article she argued that the show from Apple TV+ “showed up in our world at the perfect time. Ravaged as we were in August 2020 by a world pandemic, pervasive threats to democracy, painful racial reckonings and climate disaster, this sitcom had something of the Divine to show anyone really looking and listening.”^[1] Eifler is right to say that this show does offer the one who is paying attention something to learn about God and religion. Eifler is not alone in her theological approach to Ted Lasso. Josh Apieczonek wrote an article  in May 2023 entitled “There’s Something Unusually Christian About This TV Series.” Apieczonek argues that while the show may have many things that are morally contrary to the life of a Christian, the show offers something that is often missing in modern pop culture, namely “love of one’s enemies, compassion in the face of hostility, kindness in the face of aggression; poise, calmness and grace in the face of nastiness, disdain and mockery.”^[2]

This book seeks to gather a diverse group of top scholars across the field of theology and religion in order to produce a book that will provide both a theological lens through which to view Ted Lasso as well as to be a space for current cutting edge theological research to take place. Though new in the world of popular culture its impact is large. Within the first week of season 3’s airing, the show set Apple TV+ viewership records with over 500,000 US households alone viewing the show.^[3]While Ted Lasso has become the subject of research in the business world for what it offers us concerning leadership,^[4] it is time that the show becomes the subject of research in theology and religion for what it can offer us regarding the Divine. This book will show us in depth why religion needs Ted Lasso.

Potential Topics:

Faith and Belief

The Lasso Effect and Teamwork

Mental Health and Dr. Fieldstone

The Diamond Dogs and Discipleship

Ted and Parenting

Leadership and Rebecca

Darts, Curiosity, and Non-Judgment

Nate the Great and Pride

Love of enemy

Timeframes:

Please send a 500-word abstract, accompanied by a current CV, to danieljordancameron@gmail.com by January 31, 2024. Acceptance notifications will be sent out February 15, 2024. Full manuscripts (6,000-8,000 words approximately)  are due on April 30, 2024. Manuscripts will be returned to contributors on May 31, 2024. Final revised manuscripts will be due by June 15, 2024. The completed volume will be submitted to the publisher July 1, 2024 for anticipated publication in 2024.

Daniel J. Cameron holds a Ph.D. in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen and an MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and serves as the Bible Department head and Spiritual Life Director at Chicago Hope Academy (IL, USA) where he teaches a course in theology and film.

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^[1] Karen Eifler. “Why Religion Needs ‘Ted Lasso.’” National Catholic Reporter, 18 Mar. 2023, http://www.ncronline.org/culture/why-religion-needs-ted-lasso.

^[2] Josh Apieczonek. “There’s Something Unusually Christian About This TV Series .” The Gospel Coalition | Australia, 5 Sept. 2023, au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/theres-something-unusually-christian-about-this-tv-series/.

^[3] Toni Fitzgerald. “Still a Smash: ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Premiere Sets Appletv+ Viewership Record.” Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023, http://www.forbes.com/sites/tonifitzgerald/2023/03/21/still-a-smash-ted-lasso-season-3-premiere-sets-viewership-record/?sh=34bb108c7201.

^[4] A quick Google search of “Ted Lasso and leadership” offers many articles and research projects about leadership lessons in the show.