Rene Girard: Church Father for a Secular Age – James Wilson
May 9, 2022
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James Wilson, in the ordination process for Christ Church, presents a fascinating talk on René Girard at the Mockingbird Conference. He dives into Girard's transformation from atheist to Catholic, revealing the intersection of science and religion. Wilson explores the modern challenges Christianity faces in a secular world, discussing how mimetic desire fuels conflict and social media exacerbates dissatisfaction. He highlights the historical significance of scapegoating, pointing to Christ as a transformative figure for contemporary spiritual crises.
Rene Girard's concept of mimetic desire illustrates how human ambition is often influenced by others, challenging individual perceptions of personal goals.
Girard's scapegoat mechanism reveals the cyclical nature of violence in society, emphasizing Christianity's unique awareness of this dynamic through Christ's narrative.
Deep dives
Overview of Rene Girard's Influence
Rene Girard is positioned as a significant thinker of the 21st century, credited for bridging the gap between science and religion. His work, primarily as a cultural anthropologist rather than a theologian, spans various disciplines, including psychology and literary studies. Girard's complex ideas challenge conventional theological understanding, incorporating a new vocabulary and framework that can be difficult to grasp initially. His important insights are seen as relevant for the contemporary church, particularly as they address the decline in institutional religion and the need for a robust faith narrative.
Understanding Mimetic Desire
Girard introduces the concept of mimetic desire, suggesting that human desires are imitative and influenced by others rather than being inherently personal. This triangular relationship indicates that individuals often desire something because someone else desires it, which complicates perceptions of personal ambition and individuality. The understanding of mimetic desire can be illustrated by observing children's interactions, where they fight over toys not because they want them for their own sake, but because another child desires them. Girard's analysis extends to consumer behavior as well, showing how marketing exploits this dynamic by using celebrity models to manipulate desires and perceptions.
The Scapegoat Mechanism and Collective Violence
The scapegoat mechanism is a critical aspect of Girard's theory, explaining how societies channel collective resentment towards an innocent victim to create temporary peace. This ritualized sacrifice serves to unify a community by directing their frustrations outward, often leading to cycles of violence and revenge. Girard’s analysis reveals that this dynamic is prevalent throughout human history, including in political movements, where leaders whip up sentiments against a scapegoat to solidify their power. By examining this mechanism, Girard encourages a deeper understanding of societal conflicts and the inherent violence within human relationships.
Christian Revelation and Cultural Disenchantment
Girard's framework presents Christianity as uniquely aware of the dynamics of scapegoating, with the life and death of Jesus providing profound insights into human sin and the human condition. In contrast to ancient myths that glorify violence, the Christian narrative reveals the victimization implicit in scapegoating and invites believers to recognize their complicity in these cycles. This unique revelation liberates individuals from the cycles of violence and resentment, encouraging a transformational understanding of love and community. Ultimately, this brings to light the church's potential role in addressing spiritual and societal crises in a secular age by offering wisdom rooted in Christ.
A breakout session from the 14th Annual Mockingbird Conference in NYC. April 29th, 2022. Property of Mockingbird Ministries, all rights reserved (www.mbird.com).
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