Subverting Global Myths: Theology and the Public Issues That Shape Our World

New
Paperback
2008
$12.79

All societies are organized around, and sustained by, a set of dominant myths - public, large-scale narratives that engage our imaginations and shape the way we experience the world. Myths are an intrinsic part of human existence. They give meaning to our lives, even at the expense of truth. The essays in this book take up six areas of contemporary, global discourse where powerful myths energize and mobilize a great deal of public funding as well as academic production, namely combating terrorism, understanding religious violence, promoting human rights and multiculturalism, the hegemonic role of science, and the postcolonial critique of globalisation. They are addressed to all who are concerned about the public issues that shape our increasingly inter-connected and inter-dependent world. The author, who lives in Sri Lanka but has worked and traveled widely in Asia, Western Europe and North America, brings a critical Christian mind to bear on these issues.

Synopsis

All societies are organized around, and sustained by, a set of dominant myths - public, large-scale narratives that engage our imaginations and shape the way we experience the world. Myths are an intrinsic part of human existence. They give meaning to our lives, even at the expense of truth. The essays in this book take up six areas of contemporary, global discourse where powerful myths energize and mobilize a great deal of public funding as well as academic production, namely combating terrorism, understanding religious violence, promoting human rights and multiculturalism, the hegemonic role of science, and the postcolonial critique of globalisation. They are addressed to all who are concerned about the public issues that shape our increasingly inter-connected and inter-dependent world. The author, who lives in Sri Lanka but has worked and traveled widely in Asia, Western Europe and North America, brings a critical Christian mind to bear on these issues.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Publisher: SPCK Publishing
Published: 01 Jul 2008
ISBN 10: 0281060231
ISBN 13: 9780281060238

Media Reviews

I must admit, I didn't see this book coming. I didn't think I would see the sensibility and theological passion of Lewis and Chesterton combined with the rigorous (what some would consider edgy) cultural critiques of Chomsky and Zinn alongside the international and global perspectives of a Newbigin--all from a Sri Lankan nuclear physicist. The book is riveting from front to back; the content is rich, finely articulated, and well researched. We should pay it mind for its Christian prophetic import and its integrity in reminding the reader that faithfulness and hope must always be wed to the prophetic word. --Chris Keller, The Other Journal (theotherjournal.com), August 5, 2008

Author Bio

DR VINOTH RAMACHANDRA lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka and is the Secretary for Dialogue and Social Engagement (Asia) for the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. He holds bachelor and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of London. He is the author of, among other books and essays, The Recovery of Mission: Beyond the Pluralist Paradigm (Wipf & Stock, 2002) and Faiths in Conflict?: Christian Integrity in a Multicultural World (IVP (UK & US) 1999).