How to Survive the Apocalypse: Zombies, Cylons, Faith, and Politics at the End of the World

Alissa Wilkinson and Robert Joustra take us on a tour through contemporary apocalyptic TV and movies. They also discuss why apocalyptic themes have become ubiquitous in modern media. The sensibility is not limited to material apocalypses but also what they refer to as moral ones - the complete destruction of moral mooring points.They begin the book with a brief introduction to Charles Taylor’s framework and his idea of the social imaginary, the “series of pre-theoretical understandings and practices we acquire from the families, communities, and countries into which were born.” And his idea of "The Secular age" where human flourishing is the only conceivable goal of life. In this age meaning must be created, it is not ‘out there.’ Another key concept Alissa and Robert do an excellent job explaining is the buffered self in contrast to the pre-modern porous self. A porous self is an identity that is not fully distinct from the environment. Hierarchy, place, family, spirits, and institutions play a defining role in creating identity. The buffered self places a layer between the environment and the self and inserts the idea of choice of identity.They then proceed with a summary of apocalyptic stories as stories that “expose hidden truths, wipe away the veneer, push past the superficial ... and get to the reality of things.” Apocalyptic stories blow up contemporary conventions and recreate a world without institutional restraints. These settings allow the raw human condition to be explored.The heart of the book is a discussion of different contemporary media that fits these descriptions. We visit Battlestar Galactica, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, Scandal, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Her, World War Z and other Zombie films.Along the way we see how identity is formed in relationship with others. The drive to recognition is pulled out as a key motivator. We see the all too tragically, not just in fictional media, but when crazed gunmen initiate their own apocalypse for the sake of recognition.These apocalyptic films explore moral territory. What is right when all restraint is removed? Is raw self interest? Are others nothing more than tools for my own survival? Apocalyptic stories are inevitably political. How should society re-form itself? “Abstract solidarity of humankind is a tough sell in the zombie apocalypse.”The last chapter explores how Christians can faithfully engage with the Secular Age. The Age of Anxiety has migrated from ivory towers into the suburbs. The question of “Who am I?” is on everyone’s mind. But identities are not created from scratch. A better question Alissa and Robert propose is “What story or stories do I find myself a part.” We can choose the story, we can choose to eliminate some stories we don’t want to be a part of, but we are forced to chose from an existing set of stories.In faithful witness, we must first look at what stories we have chosen to be a part of, which ones have we rejected. What repeated gestures have become our postures (Andy Crouch). What cultural liturgies are we participating in that are shaping our desires (James K. A. Smith)? Where is our love disordered? We need to examine ourselves and our institutions first.Using Daniel as a model, Alissa and Robert propose “faithful comprise” as the best option to engage culture. This oxymoron simply means supporting society, supporting the exploration of questions of meaning in a pluralistic environment while remaining a faithful disciple.In summary, this book is a valuable tool to decrypt modern media. It provides a guide to the multitude of questions raised by the Apocalypse, Zombies, Cylons, Faith, and Politics. To top it off, the book is transparently written. Most books at the intersection of faith, politics, art, and culture are cryptic, confusing, and halting. With this book, you get more meaning with less effort, because of the smooth writing.

This is a weighty book, but it doesn't feel that way while you're reading it, thanks to the authors' easy style, gentle humor and pacing. Though we get a brief tour of pop culture, this book doesn't feel lightweight because it offers individuals a way forward through a culture unaware of what its popular images seem to be saying. At first, I was skeptical of why shows such as "Breaking Bad" or "Mad Men" should be included, until it realized the apocalypse can be an individual moment. Everyone experiences "the end of the world" in their own way. The world they build in its place may feel like their own creation, but it is still dependent on the "world" around.

Fun book, good price, arrived on time

I recently heard Robert Joustra and knew I had to read this book. It has opened my eyes to the world we live in. It is both unnerving and at the same time exciting. For anyone assessing our present age, this book has to be read.

Disappointing, though I did like the first few chapters, which focused on the essentials of Charles Taylor's "A Secular Age." However, the application of those principles to modern culture - particularly movies and TV - seemed forced and contrived. I had high hopes for the book, but put it down after getting through 2/3 of it.

In short, this was a fun and fascinating dive into some modern works of cultural art. Essentially, Joustra and Wilkinson take interpret movies and shows such as Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead, The Hunger Games, and even Breaking Bad and Scandal and interpret them through the lens of Charles Taylor's A Secular Age. Through diving into these stories which have been embraced by the modern culture, they are able to extricate values and concepts which lie right below the surface.When I first started in the book I assumed it was going to be a fun, relatively light jaunt through some icons of pop culture. Instead the first three chapter were spent establishing core concepts of Taylor's mammoth work, a foundation upon which the rest of the builds. The engagement with these products of our modern-day entertainment institutions is broad yet insightful, drawing out undercurrents and philosophies which lie beneath the surface but which personify and illustrate Taylor's work in a way no purely philosophical work could.In the final analysis, both Wilkinson and Joustra leverage their material to the maximum and the end result is a fascinating analysis of modern culture and the engagement of the believer in the world (the last chapter really driving this latter element home). It is NOT light reading, but the 'meat' of the concepts and pages is well worth the adventure of diving in. While I highly recommend this book, do not expect it to be a shallow or light read. It dives deep and thinks hard. I'll definitely be utilizing this as a source for some of my PhD work in the future.

This book is an engaging and challenging exploration of our popular culture and what these artifacts like The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, and House of Cards have to say about our pathologies and our hopes, our dreams and our nightmares. The book is in turn entertaining and substantive, and includes expositions not only of the essence of contemporary pop culture but of salient philosophy and history. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a lesson in cultural interpretation and hermeneutics and to make their consumption of pop culture more meaningful.

Thoughtful interplay of the current cultural narratives of the apocalypse as expressed in movies and television icons and a Christian worldview.

I just finished Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age & James K A Smith’s How (Not) to be Secular. So this is the 3rd in the trilogy. And it is certainly the most enjoyable & helpful.Someone said that if you want to understand our society’s fears, look to the popular horror movies. Our present day apocalypses also reveal our fears & pathologies. This book is a faithful guide to understanding our malaise. And, further, it points a positive way forward by synthesising the best thinking of philosophers, theologians & the biblical character of Daniel, who first saw the apocalypse.I’d recommend this for any thinking Christian, for any preacher & for those interested in looking for a way through the political problems of our day.