Novel Theology: Nikos Kazantzakis's Encounter with Whiteheadian Process Theism

In Novel Theology: Nikos Kazantzakis's Encounter with Whiteheadian Process Theism, Darren Middleton employs the narrative fiction of Kazantzakis and the process thought of Alfred North Whitehead to reveal a common philosophy that shaped both Kazantzakis's and Whitehead's understanding of God through texts of their literature and theology. By comparing specific themes in the novels by Kazantzakis and the works of Whiteheadian process theologians, Middleton reveals that the literature and theology constantly deconstruct each other and suggests that this deconstructive assignment is one that is, itself, a process. Novel Theology is insightful, and thought-provoking reading and highly recommended for students and scholars of literature and theology and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the works of Nikos Kazantzakis, the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, and process thought as found in the theology and literature.

Middleton brings theology and literature into conversation by comparing specific themes in novels by Kazantzakis and in the works of particular Whiteheadian process theologians. Works explored include The Last Temptation, Christ in a Pluralistic Age, God’s Pauper: St. Francis of Assisi, Toward a Process Pneumatology, Zorba the Greek, and God and Religion in the Postmodern World: Essays in Postmodern Theology.

Novel Theology is indespensible reading for scholars of literature and theology, Kazantzakis, Whitehead, and process thought.

Advance praise for Novel Theology: Nikos Kazantzakis’s Encounter with Whiteheadian Process Theism:

This book is the most important new direction in Kazantzakis studies in the last decade. It combines with unique insight two largely neglected 20th century thinkers: Whitehead the philosopher, and Kazantzakis the literary artist. We are in debt to Middleton for this excellent comparison of these two important thinkers.—Barry Whitney, Editor, Process Studies