Why are there so many zombie movies and shows now?

Introduction to Zombies in Literature and Culture

Zombies have become a surprisingly popular genre of entertainment, captivating audiences across movies, TV shows, and literature. But what is it about these reanimated corpses that has captured the imaginations of so many?

Biblical Perspective on the Undead and Zombies

A deep dive into the Bible reveals intriguing references to the undead and their eerie parallels to zombies. Let’s explore how sacred texts might shed light on this contemporary fascination.

Scriptures Referencing Undead and Zombies

Zombies are not a casual topic in religious literature. Two notable verses in the Bible stand out:

Romans 4:17

As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed (even God), who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The Role of Reapers and Death in Zombie Narratives

The concept of reapers, beings that serve Death, is particularly compelling. This imagery hints at a deep connection between death and the undead. Let’s delve into this further:

Reapers and the Undead in Context

Revelation 9:6 mentions that in times of turmoil, people will seek death and may not find it. This desperate desire for death is chilling and suggests a state of being that is neither fully alive nor dead. This could be interpreted as the Undead, a category of beings that exist in a liminal space between life and death:

If death flees from you, that new state would make you Undead, not of the living nor of the dead.

The reference to reapers in this context also implies that these beings serve or are associated with the realm of death, adding to the ominous atmosphere of zombie narratives.

Scriptural References and the Undead

Isaiah’s prophetic verses offer a deeper understanding of the undead state:

Isaiah 49:26

And I will flesh “drunken” with their own blood “as” with sweet wine: and all “flesh” shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer the mighty One of JacobJesus.

Isaiah 63:6

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them “drunk” in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

These verses suggest that the Undead, as referenced in zombie literature, might be seen as staggering, drunken figures with a thirst for blood, much like they are described in Isaiah.

Consumption and Hunger in Undead Revolutions

Isaiah 9:19-20 provides a fascinating insight into the consumption and hunger of the Undead:

Through the “wrath of the “Lord” of hosts is the land darkened and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied: they shall “eat” every man the flesh of his own arm.

This imagery highlights the cannibalistic tendencies of the Undead, a common trope in contemporary zombie narratives.

Conclusion

The fascination with zombies might be rooted in ancient theological concepts. As we continue to explore and re-imagine these stories, we may find deeper connections to biblical narratives and timeless themes of life, death, and the suppression of fear.

Keywords

Zombie, Bible, Undead