Dr. Iain Provan Dispels Us of Our "Convenient Myths"
The celebration continues for Dr. Iain Provan's most recent publication Convenient Myths: The Axial Age, Dark Green Religion, and the World that Never Was. In October, the Regent College Bookstore hosted a book launch for Convenient Myths during which Dr. Provan gave a lecture entitled "Reading Culture: The War of Myths and the Mission of the Church."
We are thrilled to now offer this lecture for free download.
DownloadAbout the Book
The contemporary world has been shaped by two important and potent myths. Karl Jaspers’ construct of the “axial age” envisions the common past (800–200 BC), the time when Western society was born and world religions spontaneously and independently appeared out of a seemingly shared value set. Conversely, the myth of the “dark green golden age” as narrated by David Suzuki and others asserts that the axial age, and the otherworldliness that accompanied the emergence of organized religion, ripped society from a previously deep communion with nature. Both myths contend that to maintain balance we must return to the idealized past. In Convenient Myths, Iain Provan illuminates the influence of these two deeply entrenched and questionable myths, warns of their potential dangers, and forebodingly maps the implications of a world founded on such myths.
For a deeper look into the book and its relevance, read Dr. Provan's article introducing Convenient Myths via the Marketplace Institute.
Dr. Iain Provan is the Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies at Regent College. He has written numerous essays and articles, and several books including commentaries on Lamentations, 1 and 2 Kings, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
Among other courses, Dr. Provan will be teaching Living with Beastly Empires: The Book of Daniel in Summer 2014 at Regent College. Attend an event to hear him speak or visit Regent Audio to download his public lectures, courses, chapel talks, and more.