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Profile photo of Jayne Svenungsson

Jayne Svenungsson

Researcher

Profile photo of Jayne Svenungsson

From Apocalyptic Demonization to Theological Responsibility

Author

  • Jayne Svenungsson

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