Within the familiar clash of religious conservatism and secular liberalism
Paul Maltby finds a deeper discord: an antipathy between Christian fundamentalism and the postmodern
culture of disenchantment. Arguing that each camp represents the poles of America's virulent culture
wars, he shows how the cultural identity, lifestyle, and political commitments of many Americans
match either the fundamentalist profile of one who cleaves to metaphysical and authoritarian beliefs
or the postmodern profile of one who is disposed to critical inquiry and radical-democratic
values.Maltby offers a critique that operates in both
directions. His use of the resources of postmodern theory to contest fundamentalism's doctrinal
claims, ultra-right politics, anti-environmentalism, and conservative aesthetics informs his
engagement with contemporary fundamentalist painting, spiritual warfare fiction, dominionist
attitudes to nature, and a profoundly undemocratic interpretation of Christianity. At the same time,
Maltby identifies some of fundamentalism's legitimate spiritual concerns, assesses the cost of
perpetual critique, and exposes the deficit of spiritual meaning that haunts the culture of
disenchantment.
Copyright:
2013
Book Details
Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
ISBN-13:
9780813933467
Related ISBNs:
9780813933450
Publisher:
University of Virginia Press
Date of Addition:
05/07/13
Copyrighted By:
the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
