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Theology and H.P. Lovecraft

Edited by Austin M. Freeman - Contributions by Nick Bennett; Ryan G. Duns; Lyle Enright; Neal Foster; David K. Goodin; Austin M. Freeman; Katherine Kelaidis; J.S. Mackley; Justin Mullis; Andrew J. O’Connor; Eric Ortlund; Robert Grant Price; Geoffrey Reiter; Michael Spence and Alexander P. Thompson

While still relatively unknown to the general public, early twentieth century American horror author H.P. Lovecraft left an indelible stamp upon popular culture. Images of tentacled horrors, forbidden tomes, and protagonists struggling against the insanity that comes with the revelation of the terrible truth of reality–Lovecraft pioneered all of these. Best known for his short story “The Call of Cthulhu,” Lovecraft instantiated his philosophy of cosmicism into every one of his tales.

This collection of fourteen essays is the first sustained academic engagement with horror author H.P. Lovecraft from a theological perspective. Covering the major themes of Lovecraft's work such as nihilism, xenophobia, dark cults, and unimaginable horrors beyond the stars, the book is divided into five sections corresponding to each of the divisions of theology: biblical, historical, systematic, practical, and comparative. With responses ranging from admiration to critique, the contributors explore the dark uncharted regions of Lovecraft’s dark mythology in the service of theological truth.

  • Details
  • Details
  • Author
  • Author
  • TOC
  • TOC
  • Reviews
  • Reviews
Lexington Books / Fortress Academic
Pages: 290 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-1-9787-1170-9 • Hardback • August 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
Series: Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture
Subjects: Religion / Theology, Literary Criticism / Horror & Supernatural, Social Science / Popular Culture

Austin M. Freeman (PhD, systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) specializes in the theology of fantasy literature, especially that of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Introduction: The Stars Are Right

Austin M. Freeman

Part I: Lovecraft and Biblical Theology

1. Biblical Cosmicism? Religion and Cosmic Insignificance in Old Testament Wisdom Literature and H. P. Lovecraft

Eric Ortlund

2. Dagon and Idolatry: Lovecraft’s Use of the Bible in “Dagon” and “The Shadow over Innsmouth”

Alexander P. Thompson

3. Concerning the Hidden God Who Surpasses All Understanding: Lovecraftian Meditations on Christian Theodicy

David K. Goodin

Part II: Lovecraft and Historical Theology

4. “A Dark Poem”: Lovecraft’s Puritan Aesthetics and the Vice of Curiosity

Geoffrey Reiter

5. August Derleth and the Christianization of the Cthulhu Mythos

J.S. Mackley

6. The Lurker at the Threshold of Interpretation: August Derleth and the Debate over Lovecraftian Dualism

Justin Mullis

Part III: Lovecraft and Systematic Theology

7. When God Goes Mad: Lovecraft, Von Balthasar, and the Split between Transcendence and Goodness

Lyle Enright and Nick Bennett

8. One God Further: Lovecraft and the Critique of Ontotheology

Ryan G. Duns

9. Mythos and Mythopoeia: Lovecraft and Tolkien on the Transcendent Function of Fantasy

Austin M. Freeman

Part IV: Lovecraft and Pastoral Theology

10. Haunted Steeples and Horrible Peoples: Church and Cult in Lovecraft

Neal Foster

11. Lovecraft’s Gods: Cosmic Anxiety and Racist Hatred

Michael Spence

12. Sudden Onset Belief: The Brutality of Conversion in Lovecraft’s Stories

Robert Grant Price

Part V: Lovecraft and Other Religions

13. Lovecraft the Pagan?: Lovecraft and Classical Religion

Katherine Kelaidis

14. Prophet of the Mythos: H.P. Lovecraft, Muḥammad, and Arabic Scriptures

Andrew J. O’Connor

In his introduction, Austin Freeman asks an important question, "Why does Lovecraft fascinate people of faith?" This fine collection of essays ably answers this question, showing the variety of theological questions one can explore in conversation with one of America's greatest horror writers. This volume is a valuable contribution to the literature of theological aesthetics, but also to Lovecraft studies. Highly recommended.


— Philip Tallon, Houston Baptist University


Any reader who is interested in Lovecraft will find an exceptional resource in Theology and H.P. Lovecraft. What we find is that with the reader’s priorities in place and lens firmly attached, reading Lovecraft can ironically be a spiritual experience that brings us to a place of deeper contemplation about the God of New Jerusalem himself, the original Old One.


— VoegelinView


Theology and H.P. Lovecraft

Cover Image
Hardback
Summary
Summary
  • While still relatively unknown to the general public, early twentieth century American horror author H.P. Lovecraft left an indelible stamp upon popular culture. Images of tentacled horrors, forbidden tomes, and protagonists struggling against the insanity that comes with the revelation of the terrible truth of reality–Lovecraft pioneered all of these. Best known for his short story “The Call of Cthulhu,” Lovecraft instantiated his philosophy of cosmicism into every one of his tales.

    This collection of fourteen essays is the first sustained academic engagement with horror author H.P. Lovecraft from a theological perspective. Covering the major themes of Lovecraft's work such as nihilism, xenophobia, dark cults, and unimaginable horrors beyond the stars, the book is divided into five sections corresponding to each of the divisions of theology: biblical, historical, systematic, practical, and comparative. With responses ranging from admiration to critique, the contributors explore the dark uncharted regions of Lovecraft’s dark mythology in the service of theological truth.

Details
Details
  • Lexington Books / Fortress Academic
    Pages: 290 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
    978-1-9787-1170-9 • Hardback • August 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
    Series: Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture
    Subjects: Religion / Theology, Literary Criticism / Horror & Supernatural, Social Science / Popular Culture
Author
Author
  • Austin M. Freeman (PhD, systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) specializes in the theology of fantasy literature, especially that of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Introduction: The Stars Are Right

    Austin M. Freeman

    Part I: Lovecraft and Biblical Theology

    1. Biblical Cosmicism? Religion and Cosmic Insignificance in Old Testament Wisdom Literature and H. P. Lovecraft

    Eric Ortlund

    2. Dagon and Idolatry: Lovecraft’s Use of the Bible in “Dagon” and “The Shadow over Innsmouth”

    Alexander P. Thompson

    3. Concerning the Hidden God Who Surpasses All Understanding: Lovecraftian Meditations on Christian Theodicy

    David K. Goodin

    Part II: Lovecraft and Historical Theology

    4. “A Dark Poem”: Lovecraft’s Puritan Aesthetics and the Vice of Curiosity

    Geoffrey Reiter

    5. August Derleth and the Christianization of the Cthulhu Mythos

    J.S. Mackley

    6. The Lurker at the Threshold of Interpretation: August Derleth and the Debate over Lovecraftian Dualism

    Justin Mullis

    Part III: Lovecraft and Systematic Theology

    7. When God Goes Mad: Lovecraft, Von Balthasar, and the Split between Transcendence and Goodness

    Lyle Enright and Nick Bennett

    8. One God Further: Lovecraft and the Critique of Ontotheology

    Ryan G. Duns

    9. Mythos and Mythopoeia: Lovecraft and Tolkien on the Transcendent Function of Fantasy

    Austin M. Freeman

    Part IV: Lovecraft and Pastoral Theology

    10. Haunted Steeples and Horrible Peoples: Church and Cult in Lovecraft

    Neal Foster

    11. Lovecraft’s Gods: Cosmic Anxiety and Racist Hatred

    Michael Spence

    12. Sudden Onset Belief: The Brutality of Conversion in Lovecraft’s Stories

    Robert Grant Price

    Part V: Lovecraft and Other Religions

    13. Lovecraft the Pagan?: Lovecraft and Classical Religion

    Katherine Kelaidis

    14. Prophet of the Mythos: H.P. Lovecraft, Muḥammad, and Arabic Scriptures

    Andrew J. O’Connor

Reviews
Reviews
  • In his introduction, Austin Freeman asks an important question, "Why does Lovecraft fascinate people of faith?" This fine collection of essays ably answers this question, showing the variety of theological questions one can explore in conversation with one of America's greatest horror writers. This volume is a valuable contribution to the literature of theological aesthetics, but also to Lovecraft studies. Highly recommended.


    — Philip Tallon, Houston Baptist University


    Any reader who is interested in Lovecraft will find an exceptional resource in Theology and H.P. Lovecraft. What we find is that with the reader’s priorities in place and lens firmly attached, reading Lovecraft can ironically be a spiritual experience that brings us to a place of deeper contemplation about the God of New Jerusalem himself, the original Old One.


    — VoegelinView


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