Subverting Global Myths: Theology and the Public Issues Shaping Our World [Hardcover]

Vinoth Ramachandra (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2008

It is a myth that only the uninformed masses believe in myths and that power brokers, media moguls, leading scientists, financial tycoons, political luminaries and intellectual elites don't. The myths that the ruling classes believe may be more sophisticated, but they are myths nonetheless. These public, large-scale narratives engage our imaginations and shape the way we experience the world. They are the stories that tell us what is important to know and how to live. Subverting Global Myths takes up six areas of contemporary global discourse--terrorism, religious violence, human rights, multiculturalism, science and postcolonialism. Here powerful myths energize and mobilize considerable public funding as well as academic production. This book is not addressed primarily to theological specialists, but to all thoughtful readers who are concerned about the public issues that shape our increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. Vinoth Ramachandra draws at length on his own experience working among university students and professors against a backdrop of militant religious and secular ideologies in Sri Lanka, a country that has suffered from "terrorism" and a "war on terror" that has claimed over sixty thousand lives since the late 1970s and shows no signs of abating. Reflected as well is his experience of living and traveling extensively not only in the West but in several of the trouble spots of Asia today. Thoughtful critical readers who care to explore reality rather than flip from one reality show to another will appreciate this invitation to subvert present reality in order to make way for another.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author of this fresh, well researched, and beautifully written book is a lay Sri Lankan theologian. Do we need to know that? Well, yes, we do, because the decisive difference it makes is in terms of perspective--for example on Islam, on Buddhism, on colonialism, and, even more decisively, on post-colonialism. "Rather than subverting global myths, Ramachandra challenges liberal pieties. He takes issue with Western critics of Christianity such as Richard Dawkins, and with Third World émigrés who sneer at Christianity from their Western university chairs. Formidably well read and well informed, Ramachandra looks at six key areas--terrorism, religious violence, human rights, multiculturalism, science and technology, and post-colonialism. In each, he reviews the case against Christianity, and shows, with a good deal of humour, that it simply does not stand up. "Towards the end of the book he notes that Christianity is now a 'global hermeneutical community,' in which the majority of Christians live in the South. Thank heavens for that. For years we have heard that voice only through liberation theology, or through theologians attempting local theologies of one kind or another. Ramachandra’s take is different. He has read as much Western philosophy and social science as any Westerner, if not more; he takes for granted the universal nature of the Church; but his perspective is unmistakeably different. "It is this that accounts for the freshness of voice. If you come from Sri Lanka, your view of Islam is not dictated by 9/11 and all that has followed, nor by Huntingdon and his cronies, nor by scurrilously badly misinformed ideas about the Crusades, but by a quite different history. His account of current Islamic militancy is--while based on scholarship with which many of us will be familiar--profoundly illuminating. "When discussing religious violence, he turns to Sri Lanka and to Indonesia, where we end up with a very different account of that issue from that which derives from the Enlightenment and its reaction to the European 'wars of religion.' "His discussion of multi-culturalism is rich and nuanced, and among the most helpful I have come across--perhaps a reflection of a kind of plural culture different from that with which we are coming to terms in Europe. Post-colonial himself, he is immune to the guilt-tripping of much post-colonial theory, and deeply critical of the industry, as he is also of colonialism and its impact. "Throughout, he commends a Christianity that is radical precisely because it is 'orthodox.' No 'poor little talkative Christianity' here, but a profound engagement with what furthers our humanity, which finds the most helpful responses in the story of cross and resurrection. "If you are depressed by Lambeth, and by the constant sniping of the secular critics, this book is a tonic. An educative, stimulating, and faith-affirming read." (Timothy Gorringe, University of Exeter )

"Schooled in the reigning philosophies of both the East and the West, Ramachandra provides an intellectual handle on and qualified assessment of global issues facing the world." (Jenny McGill, Bibliotheca Sacra, July-September 2009 )

"I dare say that this will be one of the most significant books you will have read in recent years. Ramachandra is a Sri Lankan who earned his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of London. He is also a teacher, human rights advocate, and a fine lay-theologian. One would be hard-pressed to find a more objective and wise observer of the global landscape from a thorough-going Christian perspective." (Preaching (preaching.org), March 2009 )

"This is a book that will complicate your thinking, as all useful books should. You may not always agree with his analysis but you will be educated and challenged." (Bill Tammeus, Faith Matter (billtammeus.typepad.com), August 23, 2008 )

"I must admit, I didn't see this book coming. I didn't think I would see the sensibility and theological passion of Lewis and Chesterton combined with the rigorous (what some would consider edgy) cultural critiques of Chomsky and Zinn alongside the international and global perspectives of a Newbigin--all from a Sri Lankan nuclear physicist. The book is riveting from front to back; the content is rich, finely articulated, and well researched. We should pay it mind for its Christian prophetic import and its integrity in reminding the reader that faithfulness and hope must always be wed to the prophetic word." (Chris Keller, The Other Journal (theotherjournal.com), August 5, 2008 )

"A very brave and timely screening of our modern myth-making era. Reading it is not your expected apologetic myth-debunking exercise, but rather an engaging interdisciplinary participation in exploring and exploding powerful modern myths in the secular and religious mine fields of both the right and the left. With analytical precision and prophetic boldness, Ramachandra challenges progressive elites, the politically powerful, scientific communities and religious leaders everywhere to a thorough reexamination of false beliefs and faulty practices. His stellar commitments and penetrating convictions provide a much-needed ethical corrective, calling all of us to critical discernment, moral accountability, ideologically nontainted truth telling and renewal of credibility. A must-read for any thinking Christian and their skeptical friends!" (Peter Kuzmi&ccaron, Evandjeoski Teoloski Fakultet, Zagreb/Osijek, Croatia )

"This is a provocative and powerful piece of work, jolting us from the comfort of our ideological slumber, compelling us to critically reflect on unexamined beliefs of the age. It reads like The Clash of Civilizations from the reverse perspective. Carl Sandburg's imagery of 'the hammer' slashing old gods and emerging idols would best capture Ramachandra's prophetic force." (Carver T. Yu, China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong )

"Insightful in his analysis and incisive in his argument, Vinoth Ramachandra exposes the clay feet of six of the most formidable idols in the pantheon of our globalized world. Anyone interested in some of the most fundamental themes shaping public discourse today should read this book." (Robert Schreiter, author of The New Catholicity: Theology Between the Global and the Local )

"Drawing on an extraordinary range of sources, Ramachandra exposes the idolatry often masked in so much of the current discourse on globalization. This is a learned and wise book written with a theological sensibility that hopefully will be read not only by those identified as Christians but also by many others. I have read few books from which I have learned more. I really hope this book will have the impact it deserves." (Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University )

"Ramachandra offers us a subversive book. If you prefer not to be provoked and challenged, do not read it. Based on solid biblical and theological ground, and on a meticulous and careful reading of cultural trends, this Sri Lankan theologian helps us to identify the global myths that hold us captive and look at them from a critical Christian perspective. With this book Ramachandra sets himself as a great Christian apologist for our time." (Samuel Escobar, Professor, Theological Seminary of the Spanish Baptist Union, Madrid, Spain )

About the Author

Vinoth Ramachandra lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He holds both a B.S. (summa cum laude) and a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of London. An Anglican lay-theologian, writer, teacher and human rights advocate, he combines multiple interests in his international work with IFES, a global partnership of over 150 university-level Christian movements.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (June 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830828850
• ISBN-13: 978-0830828852
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #469,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Book, September 30, 2011

By 

John Seale - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Subverting Global Myths: Theology and the Public Issues Shaping Our World (Hardcover)

Very interesting book - challenges a lot of preconceived notions from a non-Western standpoint. Very fun to read the concepts. Likely to be offensive to some, but if you can read with an open mind you will learn a lot.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Quite Possibly the WORST Book I've EVER Read, November 6, 2011

By 

Daniel May - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Subverting Global Myths: Theology and the Public Issues Shaping Our World (Kindle Edition)

As a disclaimer, I was required to read this book for a class, but I expected to really like it, especially after reading the introduction. If I hadn't had the book assigned, however, I would not have likely made it more than halfway through the first section (on Terrorism).

First, the good: the book is well written, and meticulously researched. The author has found and cited people that share his views. Also, the last two sections of the book (on Science and Postcolonialism, respectively) were reasonable and levelheaded, although the Postcolonialism section was rather dull.

Now, the bad: The majority of the book can be summarized in two words: Pure Craziness. I'd blame the insanity on a hyperliberal bias, except that there are a number of sections where a hyperconservative bias shows. I would guess that I'm in the author's core target audience. I am an American Christian, living and working outside of the US. I'm fairly conservative, but willing to discuss other points of view. That said, I found his views on most things outrageously (even laughably) extreme. I'd be much more sympathetic to a well reasoned extremism, but the author's views don't seem to follow any pattern (except to consistently espouse the most extreme viewpoint he can find).

Now this could just be a rant on my part if I didn't back it up. I don't have time to pick apart the entire book here, but I'll highlight a few quick viewpoints. Most of the rest of the book follows suit.

Just a few highlights: He argues that the US deserved what happened to them on 9/11, that to call intentional acts of guerrilla warfare against civilians terrorism is wrong, that legitimate wars fought by governments within the bounds of the Geneva convention should be called terrorism, and seemingly any other piece of self-contradictory nonsense that he can come up with. He attempts to ensconce his radicalist beliefs in a "Christian" facade, but any discerning reader can see through his chicanery. Later in the book, he argues that stealing to meet any felt need is completely justified, and should in fact not be called stealing. His views on international borders are similarly absurd.

Please save yourself time and money, and don't buy this book. If you feel you must, or like me, have it assigned for a class, go into it expecting the absurd and you won't be disappointed. Anyone looking for well reasoned, serious criticism should try reading "The Onion" before this book.