By The Reverend Christopher West Time to catch up on Netflix recommendations has been a tremendous gift, even though it has been afforded to us by difficult circumstances. One of the most important gifts we can give ourselves during this period of collective trauma (namely: the Covid-19 pandemic) is time – time to rest, recuperate,…
Review for Theology and the Marvel Universe from the Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture Network
I’m happy to let everyone know that they can read a glowing review of the Theology and the Marvel Universe book over on the Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture Network as part of their online publication, The TRPC Review. There’s also a really great article by Dr. Justin Martin on Batman and Theology that you…
Historical Reflections on Denis Diderot’s The Nun and the Rise of Popular Novelistic Fiction
By Andrew Urie Widely recognized as one of the great eighteenth-century French philosophes, Denis Diderot (1713-1784) is today largely remembered for his co-creation of the Encyclopédie (1751-1766) with Jean le Rond d’Alembert (1717-1783). Fewer people, however, now remember Diderot’s novella The Nun, which was largely composed throughout 1760. Today regarded as a minor literary classic, the…
Separate Streams, Same River
By Brandon Basse I remember hearing Pedro the Lion’s “Almost There” in the front seat of my buddy’s mid-nineties Toyota Corolla. We were talking about bands he wanted to introduce me to when suddenly he shushed me, turned the volume up, and intently stared at the cassette deck as he earnestly lip synced the bittersweet…
Free TheoCon Webinar April 21!
Hello friends! I wanted to make you aware of an opportunity this week, Tuesday April 21 at 2pm EST. Rev. Shayna Watson, founder of TheoCon, will be giving a presentation for a webinar hosted by the Religion Communication Congress. This conversation about how ΘeoCon (Thee-Oh-Con) features undeniable themes of theology and morality throughout pop culture,…
Call for Papers: Theology and Breaking Bad
Call for Papers: Theology and Breaking Bad Editors: David K. Goodin, McGill University, School of Religious Studies david.goodin@mcgill.ca; George Tsakiridis, South Dakota State University george.tsakiridis@sdstate.edu Abstract and CV Due: July 1, 2020 Final Manuscripts Due: December 31, 2020 “Say my name!” The moral universe of the era-defining AMC neo-Western crime drama Breaking Bad (2008-2013) is uncompromisingly…
Theology and Pop Spring Sale: 35% Off!
Hello friends! Rowman & Littlefield (our parent publisher) is having a Spring sale lasting until 04/10/2020. Using discount code SPSDS20, you can get both Theology and Prince and Theology and the Marvel Universe for 35% off when you order from the Rowman & Littlefield website (eBook or Hardcover)!
TheoCon 2020: Call for Papers
If you’ve followed this site for awhile, you know that we’ve become an advocate for an annual meeting called TheoCon (“Where Theology Meets Pop Culture”). I (Matt) am on the planning committee for this event and would like to make known the call for papers and proposals (or “Fandomentals”). TheoCon isn’t an event simply…
EXTENDED Call for Papers: Theology and H.P. Lovecraft
***Call for Abstracts Extended Until May 1*** Cosmic horror writer H.P. Lovecraft is the paragon of atheistic nihilism in fiction. For many, Lovecraft is diametrically opposed to everything most fundamental to Christianity, and the only way we might fruitfully engage with Lovecraft’s thought would be to categorically reject it. What hath Arkham to do with…
Christians Should Set Aside Family Values and Watch Midsommar
By Danny Anderson I wonder if any single idea has corroded American Christianity as much as “Family Values.” If you grew up in Evangelical circles in the past 30-40 years, then the squishy ethos of this concept has permeated most aspects of your life. “Family First” is a mantra that forms our social relations, our…
Pop Culture and Theology 