top of page

"It's All in Girard, Man" - Doug Wilson

Updated: Nov 24, 2021


Video from Canon Press


"In this talk entitled "It's All in Girard, Man" from Grace Agenda 2021, Pastor Doug Wilson discusses, Rene Girard, imitation, and sacrificial crisis." from video introduction.


Who then is Rene Girard?


René Girard (1923—2015)

René Girard’s thought defies classification. He has written from the perspective of a wide variety of disciplines: Literary Criticism, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, History, Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology. Although he rarely calls himself a philosopher, many philosophical implications can be derived from his work. Girard’s work is above all concerned with Philosophical Anthropology (that is, ‘What is it to be human?’), and draws from many disciplinary perspectives. Over the years he has developed a mimetic theory. According to this theory human beings imitate each other, and this eventually gives rise to rivalries and violent conflicts. Such conflicts are partially solved by a scapegoat mechanism, but ultimately, Christianity is the best antidote to violence.

Perhaps Girard’s lack of specific disciplinary affiliation has promoted a slight marginalization of his work among contemporary philosophers. Girard is not on par with more well known French contemporary philosophers (for example Derrida, Foucault, Deleuze, Lyotard), but his work is becoming increasingly recognized in the humanities, and his commitment as a Christian thinker has given him prominence among theologians..." from Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


For further reading visit the website: The Raven Foundation


Video from Bishop Robert Barron



Video from the Hoover Institution


"Recorded December 7, 2009 First describing the triangular structure of desire -- object, model, and subject -- Girard tells how conflicts are resolved and why human society is not marked by total conflict all the time. He further speaks of the intersection of the universal themes of mythology and Christianity and Christianity's future. History . . . is a test of mankind, says Rene Girard, and mankind is failing that test..." from video introduction.


Books:

The Scapegoat

I Saw Satan to Fall Like Lightning

Many more are available of on Amazon




3 views0 comments
bottom of page