Mimetic Christology: An Investigation into René Girard's Christology

In the work of the French thinker René Girard (1923-2015), Christology originates in the view of Jesus as a scapegoat and non-violent role model. Initially, imitation creates the conditions for sacrifice, and sacrifice becomes a way of holding a society together. Mimetic theory localises the problem...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Grande, Per Bjørnar 1959- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2023
In: Philosophy & theology
Year: 2023, Volume: 35, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 199-228
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Girard, René 1923-2015 / Jesus Christus / Immitation / Christology
IxTheo Classification:AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
NBF Christology
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Summary:In the work of the French thinker René Girard (1923-2015), Christology originates in the view of Jesus as a scapegoat and non-violent role model. Initially, imitation creates the conditions for sacrifice, and sacrifice becomes a way of holding a society together. Mimetic theory localises the problem in rivalistic desires, a process where those who rival each other become more and more preoccupied with outdoing each other. Imitating Christ therefore helps one overcome the desire for otherness and instead identify with the other. A number of theological implications arise from Girard's theory on divine imitation, and it seems that it is Christ's perfect imitation of God that makes him divine. Through imitation, Christ becomes both a mediator and a representation of God. Girard seems to replace the notion of following Christ with imitating Christ, as imitating Christ indicates a more common and everyday relationship.
ISSN:2153-828X
Contains:Enthalten in: Philosophy & theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.5840/philtheol20241024173