The Battle Among the Gods (el. knyga) (skaityta knyga) | knygos.lt

Aprašymas

The Battle Among the Gods explores the evolving relationship between religion and national identity in Brazil, tracing its roots from the messianic figure of Antônio Conselheiro and the Canudos community, through the transformative era of Liberation Theology, to the contemporary rise of evangelical influence and far-right politics. Grounded in two key intellectual traditions—Brazilian critical thought (Antônio Candido, Roberto Schwarz, Paulo Arantes) and Latin American Liberation Theology (Hugo Assmann, Pablo Richard, Franz Hinkelammert)—this book offers a analytical synthesis. It interrogates how literary, theological, and political forms shape and reflect the experience of spiritual conflict in a fractured society. As Brazil becomes a global focal point for the interplay of faith and authoritarianism, this book provides essential insights into how religious movements contribute to the construction of political identities and agendas. It reveals the shared roots between progressive and reactionary religious politics, offering a critical lens on the global resurgence of spiritually framed far-right ideologies.

An essential read for scholars of political theology, Latin American studies, religious studies, and contemporary politics, The Battle Among the Gods reframes our understanding of religion’s role in the modern political imagination, both in Brazil and beyond.

André Castro was born in Petrolina, on the border between Pernambuco and Bahia in Brazil. Raised within both Pentecostal and Reformed traditions, he turned to theology as a way to make sense of the religious world around him. Early influences include Rubem Alves and Liberation Theology; later, his encounter with Brazilian critical thought (particularly the work of Paulo Arantes) reshaped his view of theology as a reflection of historical experience. His work explores the intersections of theology, politics, and literature in Latin America, with a focus on how faith contributes to the formation of national life.