On Monsters: A Review

Last updated on: January 14, 2010 at 10:17 am by J. Ryan Parker

On Monsters: A Review 2010-01-14T10:17:30-08:00 J. Ryan Parker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Although it might not sound like it, Stephen T. Asma‘s latest book, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears, is one of the most theologically compelling texts I have read in quite a while. It lends a certain credence to my advisor’s frequent assertions that the genres of horror and the supernatural are the last pop-culture strong holds for spirituality and religion.

I had wrongly assumed that Asma’s book would be limited to an analysis of the “mainstream monsters” (vampires, ghosts, werewolves, etc.) and their origins. Thankfully, I was wrong. Asma’s book is an extensive look at not only monsters (for which he refuses to offer a singular definition) but our fears and prejudices as well, reaching back to prehistory for evolutionary developments in humanity that account for our current fears. Asma considers mythic monsters, the monstrous in nature, the history of physical deformities as monstrous (hypertrichosis for example, as seen to the left), the psychologically monstrous, and the socially monstrous. All this leads him to conclude that the notion of, and effectiveness of the term, monster is still alive and well in our post-modern, post-Enlightenment, technologically advanced world.

Asma, a secular skeptic, is thankfully not disrespectful to, or dismissive of, the role that religion has played in allaying or increasing our fears of the monstrous, offering critique and praise where necessary. The thrill of this book, from a theological perspective, has less to do with these now-familiar religious discussions than his in-depth discussions of teleology, nature, science, bioethics, bio-mechanics, and the like. He highlights the crucial role that teleology has played in the changing notions of what defines a monster. Quite broadly speaking, at one time a monster was anything that defied nature’s purpose, but now that our notions of said purpose have changed, so too must our ideas about monsters.

As he progresses in his text along something of a chronological route, he arrives at more contemporary notions of monsters as serial killers, suicide bombers, and the like. This draws him into a discussion of the notions of free-will vs. socially-constructed monsters…the age-old (or so it seems) nature vs. nurture debate. The theological implications are clear. Asma’s discussion of what it will mean to be human…and by extension a monster…in the years and decades ahead is simply fascinating. The evolution in medicine, robotics, science, technology and the blending of all of the above demand deep theological reflection that embraces, rather than rejects, advances in technology and science.

Asma flavors his discussion of the history of monsters and our fears of them with constant references to film and popular culture, even when he focuses on long-ago eras. Thus, he reveals that even contemporary cinema is still wrestling with monsters, even if it is simply to kill them off and revive them for a sequel. Asma’s analysis of fear, violence, and the role of the monstrous in contemporary cinema (especially torture porn and slasher films) is especially insightful. He recounts Eli Roth‘s experiences with soldiers who love his Hostel osseries because it allows them to express fear and terror that they cannot show on the field of battle (196-197). And lest we are too quick to point fingers at Hollywood as the inspiration for the most extreme images of violence, Asma notes the violent nature of…well…nature. He recounts the brutal, almost sadistic, ways in which parasites and insects feed on their hosts.

Though Asma’s book has helped me understand, a bit more, our attraction to and disgust with monsters, I doubt I’ll be running to add the Saw or Hostel series to my DVD collection. Although I can’t get enough of The Host and its ilk. My fearful contradictions abound!

Previous Post

January 12, 2010

LIFE.SUPPORT.MUSIC. A Review

Next Post

January 15, 2010 The Earthquake in Haiti, God, and the Arbitrariness of Life

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Classics DVD Film Music News Pop Culture Events Print Sports Television Uncategorized Video Games

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 2 Peter, what does Peter say he will make every effort to help believers do?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Avoid false teachers Always remember these things after his departure Stand firm in faith Grow in grace