Literature and Theology
 

This postgraduate level unit explores the significance of the Bible and Christian theology for literature in English to assist students to integrate theological reflection with their professional and vocational life and be able to apply a Christian perspective and commitment in their particular occupational and/or life interests.

This unit will enable students to understand the importance of the biblical tradition for imaginative writing, both historically and theoretically.  It will equip students to integrate their understanding of the Bible and Christian theology with their appreciation of literature.  It will be useful for English literature teachers to develop a Christian perspective on their work

When & Where Offered

Macquarie University, Semester 2 2008.  Fortnightly seminars as follows:

Wed 2-6pm on 13 Aug, 27 Aug, 10 Sept, 15 Oct, 29 Oct, 12 Nov, plus attendance at a play at a date to be arranged.

Lectures comprise about 50% of the class contact. One week will involve attending an appropriate dramatic performance, discussing this as a group and then writing individual reflections on the work which could contribute to the critical assignment. The remaining class contact involves student participation in seminars, presentations, student-led case studies, tutorials, reading and reflection exercises, and audio/video components.

Lecturer

Dr Greg Clarke

B.A. (Hons), Ph.D. (Sydney)

Greg is the Director of Macquarie Christian Studies Institute) and a founding director of the Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney. His doctorate is in literature (University of Sydney) and his area of research interest is the intersections between literature and theology. Greg has lectured at the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and Moore Theological College.  His PhD is in English Literature.  His main area of research is theology and literature, with special interests in eschatological theory and the use of the Bible in literature. He also teaches postmodernism and apologetics.

Unit Content / Lecture Topics

1. Historical overview 1: medieval to 17^th Centuries

• a. The Dream of the Rood
• b. Mystery and miracle plays
• c. Paradise Lost and Milton

2. Historical overview 2: 18^th and 19^th Centuries

• a. Rise of the novel
• b. Faith and doubt in the Victorians
• c. The Brontes

3. Historical overview 3: 20^th Century onwards

• a. World Wars literature
• b. Absurdist drama
• c. T.S. Eliot

4. Analysing theological themes in literature in English 1:

• a. creation and creativity
• b. justice and mercy

5. Analysing theological themes in literature in English 2:

• a. death, judgement and eschatology
• b. love

6. Christian approaches to literary theory 1: The Great Code

• Allegory, hermeneutics, linguistic approaches

7. Christian approaches to literary theory 2: Aesthetics

• Auerbach, Romanticism, theories of art

8. Christian approaches to literary theory 3: Ethics

• Ricoeur, postmodernism, return of the author

9. Genre study options:

• a. Fantasy literature: George MacDonald, C.S.Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien
• b. Contemporary Australian religious poetry: Les Murray, Andrew Lansdown, Kevin Hart.
• c. Crime, detection and Christ: G. K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers, P.D. James
  

Unit Code and Details 

IN 715 (MCSI 861) Literature & Theology
This unit is worth 8 credit points at 700 level towards postgraduate awards within the Australian College of Theology such as Master of Arts in Christian Studies.
It is worth 4 credit points at 800 level towards postgraduate awards of Macquarie University suchas the Master of Arts in Early Chrsitianity & Contemporary Practice.
Please direct any enquiries on enrolment and credit points to the MCSI Dean.

Assessment

1. A class presentation on one author relevant to the topic of the meeting (e.g. Les Murray in the meeting on Australian religious writing). 20 minutes/2000 words. (25%) 
2. A 2000 word critical assignment comparing two Christian critical positions on the relationship between literature and theology (to be done in consultation with the course convenor). (25%)
3. A 4000 word essay on one genre of literature, exploring in detail its interaction with, reliance on and/or critique of elements of Christian theology. (50%)

Texts & Readings 

1. Alter, Robert, and Frank Kermode, The Literary Guide to the Bible, Belknap Press, 1990.
2. Barrett, David, Roger Pooley & Leland Ryken (eds), The Discerning Reader: Christian Perspectives on Literature and Theory. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 1999.
3. Ferretter, Luke. Towards a Christian Literary Theory. Palgrave, 2003.
4. Fiddes, Paul, The Promised End: Eschatology in Theology and Literature, Blackwell, Oxford, 2000.
5. Frye, Northrop, The Great Code: The Bible and Literature, Harvest/HJB, New York, 2002.
6. Jacobs, Alan. A Theology of Reading: the Hermeneutics of Love. Westview Press, 2001.
7. Jasper, David & Stephen Prickett, The Bible and Literature: A Reader (Oxford, Blackwell, 2007).
8. Jeffrey, David Lyle, A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1992.
9. Jeffrey, David Lyle, People of the Book: Christian Identity and Literary Culture, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1996.
10. Oehlschlaeger, Fritz. Love and Good Reasons: Postliberal Approaches to Christian ethics and Literature. Duke University Press, 2003.
11. Ritchie, Daniel E, Reconstructing Literature in an Ideological Age: a Biblical Poetics and Literary Studies from Milton to Burke, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1996.
12. Walhout, Clarence, and Leland Ryken, (eds.) Contemporary Literary Theory: A Christian appraisal. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.