The Electronic Golden Calf: Images Religion and the Making of Meaning
by Gregor T. Goethals
Category: Christianity and the arts.

Goethals, author of THE TV RITUAL: WORSHIP AT THE VIDEO ALTAR, argues persuasively that the sacramental impulse-the human attempt to render visible the invisible truths-has been exercised widely outside the church & created images which define our world. Nightly news commentators speak with authority once reserved for priests. Sit-coms & soap operas today perform the function once fulfilled by Greek myths & medieval legends. This book asks the telling question: "How are the churches & synagogues to respond to this challenge?" THE ELECTRONIC GOLDEN CALF explores the function of visual images in the Judeo-Christian tradition-the debate over icons, the aesthetics of the Gothic period, the Reformation, & modern art in America-to show how popular media today have taken over the public communication of shared beliefs. "Persuasively makes the argument that the popular media construct & shape the images that constitute our life."--Sean Collins, National Public Radio. "A chilling, insightful analysis of television's construction of our sense of reality by a leading artist & art critic."--Sallie McFague, Vanderbilt University. "This is a very thought-provoking book."--Gordon Kaufman, Harvard Divinity School.