October 28, 2024 - In a world where history often feels distant and disconnected, Dr. Todd Webb is bringing the past to life for his students at Laurentian University. Specializing in Atlantic history, particularly in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Dr. Webb's scholarly interests delve into areas often overlooked in mainstream history, like the conflict between conservative and radical movements within the Methodist Church. His background in history and religion captivates students in the classroom and provides an interesting analysis of how religious horror captivates audiences in pop culture.

Dr. Webb is adept at weaving human stories into complex socio-political narratives, making history not just a subject to study but a series of human experiences that are enticing for students to explore. He teaches a range of courses, including foundational history classes and advanced studies focused on the early French Revolution. His approach engages students by framing historical events as timeless stories of revolution, counterrevolution, and upheaval. “The human stories really draw students in,” he explains. “They help contextualize the complex issues of the past in relatable ways.”

While he points out the importance of good writing and critical thinking for all students, he hopes students mainly learn to avoid jumping to conclusions about history. “I want students to continue to find the deeper meaning of the past and really consider what provoked certain choices, really probe beyond the surface to understand the context that led to huge historical events,” he says, encouraging more dialogue in the classroom.

He encourages that dialogue by asking questions like “Is there deeper meaning in the dynamic between religion and horror?” With Dr. Webb’s main area of interest being religious history, he explains why religion and horror get so much attention in popular culture. Dr. Webb notes that there’s a long-standing theological branch known as theodicy, which grapples with the question: if God is all-powerful, why does evil exist? This inquiry is deeply rooted in religious teachings and morality.

He discusses how some of the revivalists (a person who holds or presides over religious revivals) he studies used religious terror to leverage fear in congregations. One notable figure is James Caughey, an American revivalist known for his intense and emotionally charged sermons. “He traveled from town to town, leveraging fear of hell and the devil to scare people into the church,” Dr. Webb explains.

In fall 2024, three horror films will have wide theatrical releases; two of the three have religious themes. The film, Heretic is a story of two young evangelist women who are tricked into a sinister mind game in the house of a strange man. The strange man, played by Hugh Grant, challenges their devotion saying, “It’s a simple choice but it should not be made simply. Belief or disbelief?”. The film taps into the common themes of religious horror that resonate through both history and modern narratives.

“I think it’s fascinating how these stories challenge our understanding of faith and morality,” Dr. Webb says. The Heretic character is similar to the revivalists that Dr. Webb studies in that their common goal is to challenge beliefs. “Religion is a test of faith, of morality, of belief, and of choice,” he explains. “Revivalists tested beliefs with the threat that their choices now would determine not just their lives but their afterlives. The heretic in this film is testing the women’s devotion to their belief system in this life. I suspect we will get a compelling human story about the heretic’s past that led him to his present state of heresy.”

Dr. Todd Webb’s work serves as a vital reminder that history is not merely a series of events, but a rich tapestry of human experiences that shape our present and future. By bridging the gap between the past and contemporary narratives, he not only enhances a student’s understanding of history but also encourages students to engage with the timeless complexities of human nature, morality, and the allure of storytelling.