Theology of George MacDonald

John R. de Jong

ISBN 10: 0718895797 / ISBN 13: 9780718895792

Published by Boydell and Brewer Ltd, GB, 2021

About this Item

An exposition of George MacDonald's theology in its Victorian context, with implications for the pursuit of religious innocence today.George MacDonald (1824-1905) was writing at a time of Evangelical unease. In a society ravaged by Asiatic cholera, numbed by levels of infant mortality, and fearful of revolution and the toxicity of industry (to name but a few of the many challenges), the 'gospel' proclaiming eternal damnation for unbelievers was hardly good news; rather, Christianity was increasingly viewed as the source of bad news and a tool of state oppression. MacDonald agreed: in his view, the church had become a vampire, sucking the blood of her children instead of o¬ffering them Eucharistic life. In contrast, like Christ, MacDonald offered a child. Although at first sight a familiar Romantic incarnation, in MacDonald's theology 'the child' becomes an unlikely icon challenging the vampire's kingdom and confronting the foundations of much of Western theology. John R. de Jong's meticulously researched study of MacDonald's work - especially his 'realist' and fantasy novels - in its Victorian context is of more than historical interest. In light of the growth of fundamentalist expressions of Christianity, we are encouraged to consider embrace MacDonald's radical solution to religious vampirism: becoming children.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780718895792

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Theology of George MacDonald
• Publisher: Boydell and Brewer Ltd, GB
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0718895797
• ISBN 13: 9780718895792
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

An exposition of George MacDonald's theology in its Victorian context, with implications for the pursuit of religious innocence today.

George MacDonald (1824-1905) was writing at a time of Evangelical unease. In a society ravaged by Asiatic cholera, numbed by levels of infant mortality, and fearful of revolution and the toxicity of industry (to name but a few of the many challenges), the 'gospel' proclaiming eternal damnation for unbelievers was hardly good news; rather, Christianity was increasingly viewed as the source of bad news and a tool of state oppression. MacDonald agreed: in his view, the church had become a vampire, sucking the blood of her children instead of o¬ffering them Eucharistic life.
In contrast, like Christ, MacDonald offered a child. Although at first sight a familiar Romantic incarnation, in MacDonald's theology 'the child' becomes an unlikely icon challenging the vampire's kingdom and confronting the foundations of much of Western theology. John R. de Jong's meticulously researched study of MacDonald's work - especially his 'realist' and fantasy novels - in its Victorian context is of more than historical interest. In light of the growth of fundamentalist expressions of Christianity, we are encouraged to consider embrace MacDonald's radical solution to religious vampirism: becoming children.

About the Author

John R. de Jong is a theologian, musician, and writer working at the interface of faith and creativity.