Our prevailing culture, with its absence of certainties, is a haven for a vast diversity of views and theories, opinions and life-style choices. Common to all this diversity is a rejection of the received wisdom on the past about who we are and what kind of world we live in. Marcus Honeysett takes us through the enormous upheavals of our culture, providing a reliable guide to a Christian response both in theory and in practical and moral living. Without such a response, he argues, we are condemned to be shaped by our world, rather than shaping it for Christ.
Review by Holly Davis
Being a student studying Media, Culture and Society at Birmingham University, one of my lecturers recommended that I should get hold of this book, as a Christian himself we had discussed how frequently the theories on the course appear to strongly oppose the values we hold as believers.
Meltdown is an essential read for anyone who has any background or interest in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, it makes difficult theories easy to understand. Meltdown is divided into two main sections. Section 1 includes main theories of influential thinkers such as Foucault, Derrida and Baudrillard, these sections are refreshingly objective however are broken down with case studies and questions at the end of each chapter. These allow the reader to think and be challenged by how the theories can be applied to real life and what impact they are likely to have on our faith.
The main focus of Meltdown is 'Postmodernsim' and the second chapter concentrates wholly on the effect it is having on every major institution including the church, the education system, the media and every other part of social life. Finally it discusses its moralistic consequences and urges us to be both critical and discerning.
This book was extremely helpful for my course and a joy to read. So go and buy it and get your highlighter at the ready because this is a book which will grab your attention and won't let go till you've finished! Enjoy!
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ISBN: 9780851114927
Catalogue code: N/A
Publisher: IVP - published 28/02/2002
Format: Paperback