Beyond Apathy
A Theology for Bystanders
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2015
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
Theological conversations about violence have typically framed the discussion in terms of victim and perpetrator. Such work, while important, only addresses part of the problem. Comprehensive theological and pastoral responses to violence must also address the role of collective passivity in the face of human denigration. Given the pervasiveness of inaction—whether in the form of denial, willful ignorance, or silent complicity—a theological reflection on violence that holds bystanders accountable, especially those who occupy social sites of privilege, is long overdue. In Beyond Apathy, Elisabeth T. Vasko utilizes resources within the Christian tradition to examine the theological significance of bystander participation in patterns of violence and violation within contemporary Western culture, giving particular attention to the social issues of bullying, white racism, and sexual violence. In doing so, she constructs a theology of redeeming grace for bystanders to violence that foregrounds the significance of social action in bringing about God’s kingdom.
Endorsements (1)
“Vasko makes a strong contribution to the very important, growing scholarly discussion about the moral obligations of persons who are socially privileged by virtue of gender, sex, or race. In addition to her skillful consideration of willful moral blindness about white racism or heterosexism, the book investigates other abuses, such as cyberbullying. The author's adept reading of the biblical story of Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician woman is a worthy example of the careful use of the Scriptures in Christian ethics. This is a valuable book for a broad Christian readership. Vasko's thoughts about Christian concepts—such as lament, sin and grace, divine impassibility, or solidarity and salvation—are uniquely useful ideas allowing Christians more clearly to perceive the bystander passivity of the privileged and to recognize the moral responsibilities of socially powerful Christians.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem