Ark Encounter as Material Apocalyptic Rhetoric: Contemporary Creationist Strategies on Board Noah's Ark

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-22-2017

Publication Title

Southern Communication Journal

Volume

82

Issue

5

First page number:

263

Last page number:

277

Abstract

The Ark Encounter (AE) is a tourist site that opened July 2016 in Kentucky, which features a replica of Noah's ark. I argue that the AE is a material exemplar of the apocalyptic genre, because it makes fear of the second coming present and physical for visitors. Employing a material rhetorical analysis and participant observation, I analyze how the AE constructs an apocalyptic argument based on the topoi of authority, evil, and time. Through its material, visual, and linguistic elements, the AE promotes adherence to a specific Christian identity that includes belief in creationism.

Keywords

Ark Encounter; Creationism; Genre; Material apocalyptic rhetoric; Religious rhetoric

Disciplines

Communication

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