Theology and H.P. Lovecraft

Austin M. Freeman (PhD, systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) specializes in the theology of fantasy literature, especially that of J.R.R. Tolkien.

• Introduction: The Stars Are RightAustin M. FreemanPart I: Lovecraft and Biblical Theology1. Biblical Cosmicism? Religion and Cosmic Insignificance in Old Testament Wisdom Literature and H. P. LovecraftEric Ortlund2. Dagon and Idolatry: Lovecraft’s Use of the Bible in “Dagon” and “The Shadow over Innsmouth”Alexander P. Thompson3. Concerning the Hidden God Who Surpasses All Understanding: Lovecraftian Meditations on Christian TheodicyDavid K. GoodinPart II: Lovecraft and Historical Theology4. “A Dark Poem”: Lovecraft’s Puritan Aesthetics and the Vice of CuriosityGeoffrey Reiter5. August Derleth and the Christianization of the Cthulhu MythosJ.S. Mackley6. The Lurker at the Threshold of Interpretation: August Derleth and the Debate over Lovecraftian DualismJustin MullisPart III: Lovecraft and Systematic Theology7. When God Goes Mad: Lovecraft, Von Balthasar, and the Split between Transcendence and GoodnessLyle Enright and Nick Bennett8. One God Further

In his introduction, Austin Freeman asks an important question, "Why does Lovecraft fascinate people of faith?" This fine collection of essays ably answers this question, showing the variety of theological questions one can explore in conversation with one of America's greatest horror writers. This volume is a valuable contribution to the literature of theological aesthetics, but also to Lovecraft studies. Highly recommended.