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From Apocalyptic Demonization to Theological Responsibility

Svenungsson, Jayne LU orcid (2024) In Streit-Kultur. Journal für Theologie 2(1). p.15-19
Abstract
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... (More)
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. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
apocalypticism, islamophobia, othering processes, Book of Revelation
in
Streit-Kultur. Journal für Theologie
volume
2
issue
1
pages
5 pages
ISSN
2940-9535
DOI
10.1628/streit-kultur-2024-0004
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7546c94d-a3a3-4143-a54f-c01e3f702aa1
alternative location
https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/artikel/from-apocalyptic-demonization-to-theological-responsibility-101628streit-kultur-2024-0004
date added to LUP
2023-09-20 14:10:03
date last changed
2024-06-26 14:46:20
@article{7546c94d-a3a3-4143-a54f-c01e3f702aa1,
  abstract     = {{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.}},
  author       = {{Svenungsson, Jayne}},
  issn         = {{2940-9535}},
  keywords     = {{apocalypticism; islamophobia; othering processes; Book of Revelation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{15--19}},
  series       = {{Streit-Kultur. Journal für Theologie}},
  title        = {{From Apocalyptic Demonization to Theological Responsibility}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1628/streit-kultur-2024-0004}},
  doi          = {{10.1628/streit-kultur-2024-0004}},
  volume       = {{2}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}