Some Kind of Monstrosity: What Youth Ministry Can Learn From Heavy Metal

Jason Lief
2013 Journal of Youth and Theology  
This article brings Slovoj Zizek's articulation of Pauline Christianity into conversation with Norwegian Black Metal (Gorgoroth) in order to demonstrate the subversive role of popular culture as it challenges the panoptic ideological power of the status quo. Through dialogue with elements of popular culture, like Black Metal, youth ministry is reminded of its prophetic function to challenge the powers of this age as it proclaims the monstrosity of the crucified and resurrected Christ. Keywords
more » ... eavy metal, youth ministry, Slovoj Zizek, Norwegian Black Metal, popular culture Disciplines American Popular Culture | Christianity Comments This is the author's post-print version. The official version of record is at http://dx. Abstract: This article brings Slovoj Zizek's articulation of Pauline Christianity into conversation with Norwegian Black Metal (Gorgoroth) in order to demonstrate the subversive role of popular culture as it challenges the panoptic ideological power of the status quo. Through dialogue with elements of popular culture, like Black Metal, youth ministry is reminded of its prophetic function to challenge the powers of this age as it proclaims the monstrosity of the crucified and resurrected Christ.
doi:10.1163/24055093-90000066 fatcat:noxwnmyj4ned3kc3r64br526gy