Jayne Svenungsson
Researcher
From Apocalyptic Demonization to Theological Responsibility
Author
Summary, in English
As the effects of climate change, political upheaval and ravaging war are palpable, apocalyptic images as well as the concept ‘apocalyptic’ are today regularly invoked in politics, popular culture and mass media. This essay ponders the potential dangers of the apocalyptic imaginary, especially its tendency to encourage idealization of one’s own community and demonization of the other. As carriers of this complex biblical legacy, it argues, Christian churches have a special responsibility. A major task for theology today is therefore to provide perspectives and tools that allow churches as well as other civil agents to interpret and understand the affective, deeply rooted, but largely unconscious ways in which apocalyptic tropes and images resurface in response to today’s cultural and political challenges.
Department/s
- Studies in Faith and World Views
- Christianity and Nationalism
- Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)
- MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
Publishing year
2023
Language
English
Publication/Series
Streit-Kultur. Journal für Theologie
Document type
Journal article
Topic
- Religious Studies
Keywords
- apocalypticism
- islamophobia
- othering processes
- Book of Revelation
Status
Inpress
Research group
- Christianity and Nationalism
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 2940-9535