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
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.
“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
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