Read more
Drawing together leading scholars from both theological and literary backgrounds, Christian Theology and Tragedy explores the rich variety of conversations between theology and tragedy. Three main areas are examined: theological readings of a range of tragic literature, from plays to novels and the Bible itself; how theologians have explored tragedy theologically; and how theology can interact with various tragic theories. Encompassing a range of perspectives and topics, this book demonstrates how theologians can make productive use of the work of tragedians, tragic theorists and tragic philosophers. Common misconceptions - that tragedy is monolithic, easily definable, or gives straightforward answers to theodicy - are also addressed. Interdisciplinary in nature, this book will appeal to both the theological and literary fields.
List of contents
Contents: Introduction; Part I Theology and Tragic Literature: Four Biblical characters: in search of a tragedy, Ben Quash; Tragic sacrifice and faith: Abraham and Agamemnon again, Jennifer Wallace; Primo Levi and the tragedy of Dante's Ulysses, Vittorio Montemaggi; 'Thee thither in a whirlwind': tragedy and theology in Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, Robin Kirkpatrick. Part II Theologians and Tragedy: Freedom, fate and sin in Donald MacKinnon's use of tragedy, Giles Waller; Simone Weil: force, tragedy, and grace in Homer's Iliad, Adrian Poole; Hans Urs von Balthasar and Christ the tragic hero, Kevin Taylor; The tragedy is in the pity: C.S. Lewis and the Song of the Goat, Michael Ward. Part III Theology Engaged with Tragic Theory: Participating in the tragedy: emplotting the Dionysian in Christian thought, Craig Hovey; Tragedy, contingency, and atonement: Waiting for Godot and Jesus of Montreal, Larry D. Bouchard; Sacrifice and the tragic imagination, Douglas Hedley; Tragedy without evasion: attending [to] performances, David S. Cunningham; Conclusion, David F. Ford; Bibliography; Index.
About the author
Kevin Taylor studied theology at Wake Forest University and Princeton Theological Seminary, and received his PhD in Divinity from the University of Cambridge (Peterhouse).
Giles Waller's undergraduate degree in Divinity is from the University of Cambridge (Peterhouse), and he began his PhD with Ben Quash at Peterhouse; he is currently supervised by David Ford.
Summary
Drawing together leading scholars from both theological and literary backgrounds, Christian Theology and Tragedy explores the rich variety of conversations between theology and tragedy. Encompassing a range of perspectives and topics, this book demonstrates how theologians can make productive use of the work of tragedians, tragic theorists and trag
