A theology of zombies can also be derived from how Scripture generally treats the wicked. One of the most notable ways is in its depersonalization of evil persons or a person. Before turning to two notable examples of this in Scripture, We must recognize that Zombies are also humans who have been depersonalized. They are humans with little more than their instinct for survival intact, which removes the rational, moral, and spiritual capacity of humans.

Although the name “Lucifer” or “Satan” takes on the force of a name, both are only titles, not a personal name. Lucifer means son of the dawn and Satan means accuser or adversary. We do not know Lucifer’s real name; but for someone to lack a name is already for them to be depersonalized. In contradistinction to this, we would note that the saints in the Book of Revelation are given another name written on a pearl. Rather than having their name taken away, they get another one: this is personalizing.

Second, the rich man in Luke 16 in the story Jesus tells about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus is never named. Notice that Lazarus is named and he is together with Abraham on the happy or paradise side of Abraham’s bosom. The rich man is just the rich man. This is a depersonalization.

There is another verse that just came to mind: “there is no peace for the wicked” (Isa. 48:22). Whoever these individuals were is no longer what is relevant for their future identity. They are grouped together and simply termed “the wicked.” Communal identity is important, but it is a dark day when communal identity is all we have. The darker still the worse that community identity treats us, that is, what that communal identity stands for.

Scripture, then, lays a basis for understanding depersonalization as part of the process of becoming evil or wicked, and so we see that the idea of zombies moves in the same direction. The more depersonalized a person becomes, the more wicked they are.

Dr. Scalise