Theology and H.P. Lovecraft

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Theology and H.P. Lovecraft

Online Access / Resources

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Description

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.

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

Product details

Published	Aug 15 2022
Format	Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition	1st
Pages	290
ISBN	9781978711716
Imprint	Fortress Academic
Series	Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

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