Theology and Breaking Bad

David K. Goodin; George Tsakiridis

doi:10.5771/9781978712737

Summary

Theology and Breaking Bad explores the brutal and seemingly nihilistic moral landscape of the AMC neo-Western crime drama Breaking Bad (2008–2013) with insights into the characters, their struggles, and the moral consequences resulting from their actions. Throughout the book, the contributors find telltale traces of theological themes woven into the storylines by the writers and directors and bring them out for the reader in ten essays spanning topics from Greek mythology to the Hebrew Bible, and extending into Eastern and Western Christendom. Readers will find provocative reflections that will add to their appreciation of this show, as well as its spinoff series, Better Call Saul (2015–2022). This volume also advances academic inquiries in such fields as popular culture and theology, hermeneutics, biblical studies, Patristics, film studies, diasporic and colonial studies, and explores such themes as antihero redemption, penance, salvation, and forgiveness. This book will be of interest to both academics and fans alike.

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Bibliographic data

Copyright year: 2022
ISBN-Print: 978-1-9787-1272-0
ISBN-Online: 978-1-9787-1273-7
Publisher: Lexington, Lanham
Language: English
Pages: 194
Product type: Edited Book

1. Contents No access
2. Acknowledgments No access
1. Organization of the Book No access
2. Final Thoughts No access
1. 1. Sin in the Breaking Bad Canon No access
  2. (How) Does Theology Help? No access
  3. Limitations of Engaging with the Breaking Bad Canon No access
  4. Practicing Cultural Theology with Nontheological Resources—a Summary Comment No access
  5. Notes No access
  6. Works Cited No access
2. 1. The Moral Landscape of Breaking Bad No access
  2. The Warrior Saints No access
  3. The Prayer No access
  4. The Cultural Subtexts No access
  5. The Theology of Redemption No access
  6. Notes No access
  7. Works Cited No access
3. 1. Notes No access
  2. Works Cited No access
4. 1. Toward a Diasporic Reading No access
  2. Qohelet’s Moral Dilemma No access
  3. 1. Walter White No access
    2. Jesse Pinkman No access
    3. Hank Schrader No access
  4. Theological Implications No access
  5. Conclusion No access
  6. Notes No access
  7. Works Cited No access
1. 1. Evagrius Ponticus and the Eight Thoughts No access
  2. 1. Gluttony No access
    2. Fornication No access
    3. Avarice No access
    4. Anger No access
    5. Sadness No access
    6. Acedia No access
    7. Vainglory No access
    8. Pride No access
  3. Conclusion No access
  4. Notes No access
  5. Works Cited No access
2. 1. Saint Augustine and the Perverted Justice of the Darkened Heart No access
  2. 1. Walter’s Moral Worldview No access
    2. Rationalizing Justice No access
    3. The Denial of Charity No access
  3. Conclusion No access
  4. Notes No access
  5. Works Cited No access
3. 1. The Search for Rest No access
  2. 1. What Does Walter White Want? No access
    2. The Imprisoning Power of Desire No access
    3. The Consequence of Desire No access
  3. 1. Who Is Jimmy McGill? No access
    2. What Does Saul Goodman Want? No access
    3. Consequences of Desire No access
  4. Restless Reflections No access
  5. Conclusion No access
  6. Notes No access
  7. Works Cited No access
1. 1. What Is Salvation? No access
  2. Salvation in Breaking Bad No access
  3. Jesse’s Community No access
  4. Jesse as a Child No access
  5. Jesse with Children No access
  6. El Camino No access
  7. Conclusion No access
  8. Notes No access
  9. Works Cited No access
2. 1. 1. 1. Tertullian on Penance No access
      2. Cyprian of Carthage No access
  2. Mike Ehrmantraut’s Road to Redemption No access
  3. How Does Mike’s Penance Match Up with Early Christian Penance? No access
  4. Notes No access
  5. Works Cited No access
3. 1. The Ferryman No access
  2. Walter and the Ferryman No access
  3. Jesse and the Ferryman No access
  4. Walter’s Ultimate Fate No access
  5. Notes No access
  6. Works Cited No access
1. Notes No access
Index No access Pages 187 - 190
About the Contributors No access Pages 191 - 194