Department or Program
Religious Studies
Abstract
The Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, depicts an apocalyptic end of the world full of terrifying monsters and devastating events, yet one that promises triumph and reward for those who keep the faith. Christian communities throughout history have looked to Revelation for explanations and reassurance in times of widespread catastrophe. The COVID-19 pandemic is one such time. Drawing on Deleuze and Guattari, I propose that Revelation functions as a “little machine” that provides useful “sockets” - in this case, key narratives about “plagues” and “the Mark of the Beast” - into which elements of the COVID-19 crisis have been “plugged” in order to generate meaning amidst chaos and uncertainty. Using my own primary ethnographic research among Baptist communities in rural Maine, along with close readings of social media posts and related sources, I argue that, for Evangelical Christian communities in the U.S., COVID-19 is so much more than a disease: it is a tool for making sense of the world, reinforcing a faith-based identity, and offering comfort, assurance, and a sense of righteous empowerment within a sacred apocalyptic framework.
Level of Access
Open Access
First Advisor
Baker, Cynthia
Date of Graduation
5-2023
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Cockerham, Alice M., "The Mark of the Beast, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the End of the World" (2023). Honors Theses. 432.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/432
Number of Pages
76
Open Access
Available to all.