Re-Enchantment of the West: Alternative Spiritualities, Sacralization, Popular Culture and Occulture (Volume 1) [Paperback]

Christopher Partridge (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0567084086 | ISBN-13: 978-0567084088 | Publication Date: March 4, 2005

As a book about emergent spirituality in the contemporary West, this books focuses on the nature, evolution and significance of new forms of religion and alternative spiritualities. Part One of the book provides the theoretical background and guides the reader through some of the principal debates. After an overview of the secularization thesis, which argues that the West is becoming increasingly disenchanted, the second chapter turns to the sociological analysis of new religions and alternative spiritualities. Particular attention is given to the ideas of the sociologist of religion Ernst Troeltsch, especially his enigmatic analysis of the emergence mystical religion, which presciently provides helpful insights into understanding the contemporary alternative religious milieu. Against sociologists such as Bryan Wilson and Steve Bruce, this and the subsequent chapter argues that, rather than being insignificant, new forms of spirituality are actually proving to be a significant part of Western re-enchantment. Chapter 3 constructs a general theory of the re-enchantment of the West.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Chris Partridge argues that Western Society is permeated by a broad "occulture" by which he means a reservoir of ideas, beliefs, theories and practices to which new religions, unorthodox spiritualities, film and popular music all draw attention. This re-enchantment of the West should not be seen as a superficial secondary development in the shadow of Christianity. In many ways it is a religious phenomenom in its own right. Partridge's arguments in this regard are well put and I warmly welcome this timely book.' Mikhael Rothstein, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. (Mikhael Rothstein )

'[a] useful contribution...if you want a more in-depth treatment you will find this rewarding, largely free of jargon and containing useful summaries of important debates...a good and well-argued assessment of the contemporary situation...listen to Partridge's largely excellent analysis of culture; there is much here to inform. I, for one, will certainly eagerly await the next volume'

(Steve Hollinghurst Anvil )

'This is an important book in several respects. One of its particular strengths is its focus on how contemporary media and popular culture have played an important role in the popularization of these alternative spiritualities...Partridge's contribution to this discussion is original and well argued. The book works well as an introduction to sociological debates for students new to this area, but also offers a distinctive, well-argued perspective on these. The book should also attract significant interest amongst those involved in exploring the nature of missiology for Western culture....The book deserves to be a focus for ongoing debate.'

Gordon Lynch, Expository Times, 01/10/2006

(Gordon Lynch Expository Times )

"(this book - reviewed alongside another) offer us fresh and important data and the discussion is informed and sophisticated, without recourse to obfuscating jargon. Unlike many who pontificate on the fate of religion and spirituality, these authors have 'been there' - not just as tourists, but as keenly observant and analytically astute scholars. They know what they are writing about, both intellectually and experientially. It would be a mistake for anyone interested enough in religion to read Theology not to read both these books."

(Eileen Barker, London School of Economics Theology )

'Chris Partridge argues that Western Society is permeated by a broad "occulture" by which he means a reservoir of ideas, beliefs, theories and practices to which new religions, unorthodox spiritualities, film and popular music all draw attention. This re-enchantment of the West should not be seen as a superficial secondary development in the shadow of Christianity. In many ways it is a religious phenomenom in its own right. Partridge's arguments in this regard are well put and I warmly welcome this timely book.' Mikhael Rothstein, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. (, )

'[a] useful contribution...if you want a more in-depth treatment you will find this rewarding, largely free of jargon and containing useful summaries of important debates...a good and well-argued assessment of the contemporary situation...listen to Partridge's largely excellent analysis of culture; there is much here to inform. I, for one, will certainly eagerly await the next volume'

(, Anvil )

'This is an important book in several respects. One of its particular strengths is its focus on how contemporary media and popular culture have played an important role in the popularization of these alternative spiritualities...Partridge's contribution to this discussion is original and well argued. The book works well as an introduction to sociological debates for students new to this area, but also offers a distinctive, well-argued perspective on these. The book should also attract significant interest amongst those involved in exploring the nature of missiology for Western culture....The book deserves to be a focus for ongoing debate.'

Gordon Lynch, Expository Times, 01/10/2006

(, Expository Times )

"(this book - reviewed alongside another) offer us fresh and important data and the discussion is informed and sophisticated, without recourse to obfuscating jargon. Unlike many who pontificate on the fate of religion and spirituality, these authors have 'been there' - not just as tourists, but as keenly observant and analytically astute scholars. They know what they are writing about, both intellectually and experientially. It would be a mistake for anyone interested enough in religion to read Theology not to read both these books."

(, Theology )

About the Author

Christopher Partridge is Professor of Contemporary Religion at University College Chester. His research and writing focuses on Western alternative spiritualities and popular culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: T&T Clark Int'l (March 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0567084086
• ISBN-13: 978-0567084088
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,601,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful look into pop culture/occulture, November 20, 2006

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Finding Amanda - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Re-Enchantment of the West: Alternative Spiritualities, Sacralization, Popular Culture and Occulture (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Christopher Partridge has provided us with an glimpse into what he calls the occulture, i.e., the "non-Christian religo-cultural milieu...that both resources and is resourced by popular culture."

Arguing against the idea of ever increasing secularisation in the West, he sets forth a well argued and well documented thesis that the West is increasingly turning away from traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs/understandings and toward non-Christian spiritualities such as New Age, Wicca, etc. He cites the significant change how the occult as well as Christianity is perceived and portrayed in contemporary popular culture.

For example, he documents the change regarding the efficacy and power of Christian symbols, such as a cross or holy water, in dealing with cinematic demons like vampires. In horror films of 30 years ago Dracula was terrified and literally pained to be in the presence of a crucifix. Now it is common for films in the genre to display not only the ineffectiveness of such Christian symbols as a means of combating supernatural evil, but to have the fiend express contempt for them as well. And concurrent with this devaulation of things Christian is an increase in alternative ways to dispatch and or control the demon. Thus the message is sent that the supernatural is real, Christianity is weak, lacking, or ineffectual legend created by bunch of intolerant power hungry church leaders; and there are new and improved ways and means of dealing with the things that go bump in the night.

But the author goes far beyond merely looking at horror films and builds a solid case that, far from being on the verge of tossing all in favour of secularisation, the West is increasingly turning to non-Christian spiritual paths and is becoming "re-enchanted" with the supernatural. And that this re-enchantment both feeds and is fed by popular culture.

I recommended this book to all pastors as well as to all who would seek to understand the "spiritualities" now sweeping through popular culture.