Psychedelics and monsters and aliens, oh my!

It’s not every day that one of your beloved mentors writes an article for the magazine where you work. But I am thrilled that Ron Cole-Turner—the seminary professor who first introduced me to my current tradition, the UCC—has penned a thoughtful piece about the current state of psychedelics research and some of its possible theological implications. If I can just brag for a moment about Ron: he is not only a kind and pastoral educator, but he has been called “the leading Christian scholar of transhumanism” (by fellow scholar King-Ho Leung). 

This enlightening piece came to our website around the same time as some other great essays that also explore the spiritual or religious dimensions of unexpected, or perhaps shocking, topics. Brandon Grafius explores the rich theological potential of the horror film genre (and the horror genre potential of the Bible). Walter Staggs describes the results of taking seriously his college students’ curiosity about ancient alien theories.  

We are rolling out content from our October books issue, so scroll down for some lovely book content. William Schultz recommends 8 new books on US religious history, and Ben Dueholm reviews Tara Isabella Burton’s book on how people form and express their identities.

Email me: Who is or was an important mentor in your spiritual or vocational journey?

Jon Mathieu
[email protected]

Soul-altering substances

“What should we make of the fact that psychedelics are linked to both mystical experience and mental healing? How are the two effects connected?”

The monsters we fear

“What if horror, as a genre, can actually help us think through some of the questions that are most important to our lives of faith? What if horror can help open our imagination up to a world that acknowledges our anxieties but also includes the Divine?”

The pedagogy of Ancient Aliens

“My student’s honest inquiry led me to begin seriously contemplating the potential the discovery of alien life has to challenge or disrupt the faith of religious people—and how this might affect mental health.”

by Walter Staggs

In the Lectionary for October 1 (Ordinary 26A)

Paul’s words about humility should be handled with care.

Take & Read: American religious history

A religion scholar introduces readers to 8 of the best new titles that cover religious history in the United States.

by William J. Schultz

The genealogy of selfhood

“In a cultural history spanning five centuries and crisscrossing the Atlantic, Self-Made provides a genealogy of the modern idea and practice of selfhood.”

Benjamin J. Dueholm reviews Tara Isabella Burton