Theology, Religion, and Dungeons & Dragons - Explorations of the Sacred Through Fantasy Worlds

This volume describes Dungeons & Dragons as a generative and creative space by exploring the tabletop role-playing game's intersections with the academic disciplines of Theology and Religious Studies. Readers might not gain advantage on all religion checks, but they will recognize the deeply formative potential of the game.

List of contents

Foreword
Derek W. White
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction: On Dungeons & Dragons, Fantasy, Religion, and Theology
Brandon Simonson and Scott Donahue-Martens
Part One: Perception & Performance
Chapter One: Healing Words: D&D Magic, Speech-Act Theory, and Chaplaincy
Scott Donahue-Martens
Chapter Two: Roll for Discernment: Dungeon Master as St. Ignatius' Spiritual Director
Susan Haarman
Chapter Three: From Redemption Arcs to Making Your Own God: Redemption and Authenticity in Critical Role and Dimension 20
Michael Buttrey and Leah DeJong
Chapter Four: Role-play, Spiritual Formation, and Theological Education
Fred E. Webster, Jr. and Thomas G. Hermans-Webster
Part Two: Heroes & History
Chapter Five: Canon in Dungeons & Dragons: Insight from Ancient Judaism
Scott Donahue-Martens and Brandon Simonson
Chapter Six: The Harrowing of Avernus: Delving into Hell from Antiquity to Dungeons & Dragons
Andrew J. O'Connor
Chapter Seven: The Role and Function of Religious Names in the Creative World of Dungeons & Dragons
Brandon Simonson
Chapter Eight: Tolkien's Shadow: The Sub-Creating Influence of Middle Earth on Dungeons & Dragons
Scott Donahue-Martens
Part Three: Adventures & Alignment
Chapter Nine: Abandon All Hope and Roll for Initiative: Reading Dante into Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Victoria Hawco
Chapter Ten: The Gilded Gothic Cages: Corruption, Judgment, and Moral Development in Ravenloft's Domains of Dread
Martine Gjermundsen Ræstad
Chapter Eleven: "Does Anyone Here Eat Elf?" Ecotheology in the Dark Sun Campaign Setting
Daniel Ambord
Chapter Twelve: A Chaotic-Historical Reflection on Alignment in Dungeons & Dragons
Nathan P. Gilmour
Epilogue
About the Editors and Contributors

About the author

Scott Donahue-Martens teaches a variety of theology classes ranging from homiletics and hermeneutics to Hebrew Bible and pastoral care.Scott Donahue-Martens teaches a variety of theology classes ranging from homiletics and hermeneutics to Hebrew Bible and pastoral care.

Product details

• Authors: Scott Simonson Donahue-Martens
• Assisted by: Brandon Simonson (Editor), Scott Donahue-Martens (Editor), Scott Donahue-Martens (Editor), Brandon Simonson (Editor)
• Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.02.2025
• EAN: 9781978716025
• ISBN: 978-1-978716-02-5
• No. of pages: 300
• Series: Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture
• Subjects: Guides > Hobby, home > Games, quizzes; Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Religious writings, prayers, songbooks, religious meditations; Popular Culture, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture, RELIGION / Theology, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / General, Bibles, Theology, Christian theology, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, Role-playing, war games & fantasy sports, GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Role Playing & Fantasy, Biblical Studies & Exegesis, Role-playing, war games and fantasy sports