René Girard and Creative Reconciliation

Rupa Menon

ISBN 10: 0739169009 / ISBN 13: 9780739169001

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, US, 2014

About this Item

The contribution of this book to the field of reconciliation is both theoretical and practical, recognizing that good theory guides effective practice and practice is the ground for compelling theory. Using a Girardian hermeneutic as a starting point, a new conceptual Gestalt emerges in these essays, one not fully integrated in a formal way but showing a clear understanding of some of the challenges and possibilities for dealing with the deep divisions, enmity, hatred, and other effects of violence. By situating discourse about reconciliation within the context of Girardian thought, it becomes clear that-like Peter who vowed he would never deny Jesus but ended up doing it three times-any of us is susceptible to the siren call of angry resentment and retaliation. It is with a profound awareness of the power of violence that the emergence of mimetic discourse around reconciliation takes on particular urgency.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780739169001

Bibliographic Details

• Title: René Girard and Creative Reconciliation
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, US
• Publication Date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0739169009
• ISBN 13: 9780739169001
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 762 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The contribution of this book to the field of reconciliation is both theoretical and practical, recognizing that good theory guides effective practice and practice is the ground for compelling theory. Using a Girardian hermeneutic as a starting point, a new conceptual Gestalt emerges in these essays, one not fully integrated in a formal way but showing a clear understanding of some of the challenges and possibilities for dealing with the deep divisions, enmity, hatred, and other effects of violence. By situating discourse about reconciliation within the context of Girardian thought, it becomes clear that―like Peter who vowed he would never deny Jesus but ended up doing it three times―any of us is susceptible to the siren call of angry resentment and retaliation. It is with a profound awareness of the power of violence that the emergence of mimetic discourse around reconciliation takes on particular urgency.

About the Authors

Sandor Goodhart is Professor of English and Jewish Studies at Purdue University, USA. He is the author of editor of five books, including The Prophetic Law. Essays in Judaism, Girardianism, Literary Studies, and the Ethical (Michigan State University Press, 2014), Sacrifice, Scripture, and Substitution: Readings in Ancient Judaism and Christianity (co-edited with Ann Astell; Notre Dame University Press, 2011) and For René Girard. Essays in Friendship and Truth (co-edited with Jørgen Jørgenson, Tom Ryba, and James G. Williams; Michigan State University Press, 2009).

Joel Hodge is Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Australian Catholic University, Australia. He is the author of Resisting Violence and Victimisation: Christian Faith and Solidarity in East Timor (2012) and co-editor of the series, Violence, Desire, and the Sacred.

Thomas Ryba is Director of Religious Studies at Purdue University, USA. He is the former Notre Dame Theologian in Residence at the St. Thomas Aquinas Center and Continuing Lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies at Purdue University.