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kayreI seem to have embarked on a project. I'll outline it here, and put future ponderings behind a cut for the sake of those who don't want to read stuff on religion. I hope some of you will care to read along, discuss and explore with me; while I know some of you will be able to give me some pointers and tips, I hope you'll refrain from lecturing me.
As a church history major, I know at least some basics about the development of Protestant Christian Fundamentalism, but it's a topic that was covered quite briefly in the materials I read in grad school-- perhaps in the desperate hope that it's just a passing thing. Clearly it's now a significant phenomenon, and I find that I want to know much more, especially about fundamentalism among laypeople.
I'm beginning with three veins of research. Some time ago I began reading Christianity by Hans Kung, which explores Christian history in terms of theological paradigms; I'll finish my reading with a special focus on this project.
Second, it seems to me that the Catechisms of the Protestant churches may shed a lot of light on common faith before fundamentalism, so when I'm exhausted by Kung I'll explore those.
Third, and here I can really use some help-- it seems to me that 19th and early 20th century American (and maybe English) novels can shed some light on my topic. I'm especially aware of the novels of Agnes Sligh Turnbull, which I discovered completely by chance; they give some fascinating glimpses into Christianity as an influence on the lives of her characters. Here's where my friends can especially help-- can you point me to more novels that might be helpful? I'm especially interested in examples where religion is NOT the central focus of the story, but is a part of the character or cultural background.
As a church history major, I know at least some basics about the development of Protestant Christian Fundamentalism, but it's a topic that was covered quite briefly in the materials I read in grad school-- perhaps in the desperate hope that it's just a passing thing. Clearly it's now a significant phenomenon, and I find that I want to know much more, especially about fundamentalism among laypeople.
I'm beginning with three veins of research. Some time ago I began reading Christianity by Hans Kung, which explores Christian history in terms of theological paradigms; I'll finish my reading with a special focus on this project.
Second, it seems to me that the Catechisms of the Protestant churches may shed a lot of light on common faith before fundamentalism, so when I'm exhausted by Kung I'll explore those.
Third, and here I can really use some help-- it seems to me that 19th and early 20th century American (and maybe English) novels can shed some light on my topic. I'm especially aware of the novels of Agnes Sligh Turnbull, which I discovered completely by chance; they give some fascinating glimpses into Christianity as an influence on the lives of her characters. Here's where my friends can especially help-- can you point me to more novels that might be helpful? I'm especially interested in examples where religion is NOT the central focus of the story, but is a part of the character or cultural background.
no subject
Date: 2018-10-20 01:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-10-20 11:04 am (UTC)Also late 19th-century is the Anne of Green Gables; Matilda is horrified that Anne makes up her prayers “like a pagan” and sets her to learn the Lord’s Prayer. We meet Miss Cordelia in the fifth book and she is a Presbyterian thoroughly appalled by Methodists. Everyone is anti-Catholic. There’s a sprinkling of anti-Semitism regarding the peddler who sells the hair dye. People who don’t come to church are suspect.
no subject
Date: 2018-10-22 02:18 am (UTC)You're looking for "Christianity as context" in general, or specific flavors of Christianity? (I'm not well-read in that era but I know someone who might be able to help, so I want to make sure I'm asking him the right question.)