The Theology of Battlestar Galactica: American Christianity in the 2004-2009 Television Series

by Kevin J. Wetmore Jr.

Overview

The reimagined television series Battlestar Galactica (2005 to 2009 on the Sci Fi Channel), features religion and theology among its central concerns--but does not simply use its myriad faiths as plot devices or background material. Battlestar Galactica is, in and of itself, a theological text. Over the course of 87 episodes and two television movies, the series' narrative arc explores the meanings of salvation, prophecy, exile, apocalypse, resurrection, and messianism, and clearly demonstrates the working of a divine will in a material world. The book offers a systematic theology for each of Battlestar Galactica's invented religions and surveys echoes of American Christianity in the groundbreaking series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786465507
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	05/01/2012
Pages:	219
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.44(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Kevin J. Wetmore, Jr., is a professional actor and director whose previous books have covered topics ranging from Star Wars to Renaissance faires. He is a professor and chair of the theater department at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

I Created Theologies 17

1 A Systematic Theology of Human Religion/The Human Understanding of God 19

2 A Systematic Theology of Cyclon Religion/The Cylon Understanding of God 38

3 A Systematic Theology of the Baltar Cult/The Baltar Cult Understanding of God 55

II Real-World Echoes 67

4 Gospels, Sins and Salvation: The Use of Christian Terminology in BSG 68

5 "In His Own Image He Created Them": Creation and Falls 79

6 Exile and the Remnant: Religion of the Planetless 93

7 The Role of Prophets 109

8 Starbuck Died, Starbuck Is Risen, Starbuck Will Come Again: Messiahs and Resurrection in BSG 125

9 Cylon Messiah, Human Judas: Baltar, Betrayal and Redemption 139

10 From Patmos to Caprica: Battlestar Apocalyptica 153

Conclusion: The Plan 169

Epilogue: The Theology of Caprica; or, Why Parents Don't Always Look Like Their Children 174

Appendix I Episode List by Season 191

Appendix II Glossary 195

Bibliography 199

Index of Scriptural Quotations 205

General Index 207

Editorial Reviews

valuable”—Midwest Book Review; “Wetmore offers a volume of modern theology examining the religious undertones of the hit television show Battlestar Galactica”—Reference & Research Book News.

From the Publisher

"Wetmore offers a volume of modern theology examining the religious undertones of the hit television show Battlestar Galactica"

Reference & Research Book News

valuable

Midwest Book Review