Theological Interpretation of Culture in Post-Communist Context: Central and East European Search for Roots [Hardcover]

Twenty years after the fall of Communism in Central and East Europe is an ocassion to reevaluate the cultural and theological contribution from that region to the secularization - post-secularization debate. Czech theologian Ivana Noble develops a Trinitarian theology through a close dialogue with literature, music and film, which formed not only alternatives to totalitarian ideologies, but also followed the loss and reappeareance of belief in God. Noble explains that, by listening to the artists, the churches and theologians can deal with questions about the nature of the world, memory and ultimate fulfilment in a more nuanced way. Then, as partakers in the search undertaken by their secular and post-secular contemporaries, theologians can penetrate a new depth of meaning, sending out shoots from the stump of Christian symbolism. Drawing on the rich cultures of Central and East Europe and both Western and Eastern theological traditions, this book presents a theological reading of contemporary culture which is important not just for post-Communist countries but for all who are engaged in the debate on the boundaries between theology, politics and arts.Contents: Preface; Introduction: culture as a theological theme; Part I The World: Images of the world in Karel Capek and Isaac Bashevis Singer; Theologies of the world. Part II Memory: Heritage of totaltarian cultures in folk music; Redemptive memory on theology. Part III The Ultimate Fulfilment: Figuring the ultimate fulfilment in Central European cinema; Love as the ultimate fulfilment in theology; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.Twenty years after the fall of communism in Central and East Europe is an ocassion to reevaluate the cultural and theological contribution from that region to the secularisation - post-secularisation debate. Czech theologian Ivana Noble develops a Trinitarian theology through a close dialogue with literature, music and film, which formed not only alternatives to totalitarian ideologiesl³"