Thanks to Brandon Robbins for pointing me to a particular context for Peter’s confession in the Gospel of Matthew which I will attempt to unpack more here.
Hi Jim! Yes, you're absolutely right about the Transfiguration.... it's quite a little story here.
Girard is a complex person to approach (although not nearly as complex as others; he's still quite accessible to the educated layman) -- because Girard is discovering and fleshing out mimetic theory as he writes his corpus. If you have time and interest, I think it is best to read Girard in publication order. This would have you start with "Deceit, Desire, and the Novel" and work your way from there --you will be "walking with Girard", in a sense, but you will not necessarily get the full scope of mimetic theory or Girard until you are closer to "Things Hidden". If you prefer to approach him through a standalone just to get a flavor (or because your reading list is too full to accommodate a complete Girard reading journey) or you have a particular background, that is also another approach. Here are some options depending on your interests and background:
> If you have a strong background in Christianity, "I See Satan Fall Like Lightning" if a good start. Or "Job".
> If you have a background in anthropology or Freud (especially "Totem and Taboo"): "Violence and the Sacred" (this is my favorite book, but the *whole* of mimetic theory isn't quite there as it is in "Things Hidden", but he's still largely there).
> If you have a strong background in Shakespeare: "Theater of Envy".
> If you have a background in political affairs or history, "Battling to the End" (Girard's last work).
> If you want a more simple overview, "The Scapegoat".
> If you want to read the "magisterial work" (although, do note, it's a challenge): "Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World".
Thank you for your reply and all of the effort and expertise you put into it. I come at this from the background of a retired intellectual property lawyer who spent my time making it in the material world but nevertheless trying to stay grounded in spiritual life. A struggle. But now I have the time to read, think, pray, and try to discern what it all has meant and what it means. For whatever reason, Girard keeps popping up on my radar. Currently, I'm trying to understand why humans have the need to sacrifice to one God or the other, using one life form or the other, in atonement, starting with Cain and Abel. And obviously continuing on through the Enlightenment, French Revolution, repaganizing, 20th century, the apparently overarching genetic need to sacrifice one or the other race, class or status of people in atonement for perceived wrongs. Despite Christ having sacrificed himself for our sins, once for all. So what you have sent me seems like a great guide to see what Gerard might contribute to my efforts.
I like your name, whether pen name or not, since Consecration to the Blessed Virgin was a big step in my life.
And it was right after this, I think, that the Transfiguration happened.
What, would you say, is a good starting point for reading Gerard?
Thanks, Jim, Atlanta
Hi Jim! Yes, you're absolutely right about the Transfiguration.... it's quite a little story here.
Girard is a complex person to approach (although not nearly as complex as others; he's still quite accessible to the educated layman) -- because Girard is discovering and fleshing out mimetic theory as he writes his corpus. If you have time and interest, I think it is best to read Girard in publication order. This would have you start with "Deceit, Desire, and the Novel" and work your way from there --you will be "walking with Girard", in a sense, but you will not necessarily get the full scope of mimetic theory or Girard until you are closer to "Things Hidden". If you prefer to approach him through a standalone just to get a flavor (or because your reading list is too full to accommodate a complete Girard reading journey) or you have a particular background, that is also another approach. Here are some options depending on your interests and background:
> If you have a strong background in Christianity, "I See Satan Fall Like Lightning" if a good start. Or "Job".
> If you have a background in anthropology or Freud (especially "Totem and Taboo"): "Violence and the Sacred" (this is my favorite book, but the *whole* of mimetic theory isn't quite there as it is in "Things Hidden", but he's still largely there).
> If you have a strong background in Shakespeare: "Theater of Envy".
> If you have a background in political affairs or history, "Battling to the End" (Girard's last work).
> If you want a more simple overview, "The Scapegoat".
> If you want to read the "magisterial work" (although, do note, it's a challenge): "Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World".
This page may also be of help:
https://girardianlectionary.net/bibliography/books-by-rene-girard/
This is also a decent overview available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qu6vBebwwg
Kristen,
Thank you for your reply and all of the effort and expertise you put into it. I come at this from the background of a retired intellectual property lawyer who spent my time making it in the material world but nevertheless trying to stay grounded in spiritual life. A struggle. But now I have the time to read, think, pray, and try to discern what it all has meant and what it means. For whatever reason, Girard keeps popping up on my radar. Currently, I'm trying to understand why humans have the need to sacrifice to one God or the other, using one life form or the other, in atonement, starting with Cain and Abel. And obviously continuing on through the Enlightenment, French Revolution, repaganizing, 20th century, the apparently overarching genetic need to sacrifice one or the other race, class or status of people in atonement for perceived wrongs. Despite Christ having sacrificed himself for our sins, once for all. So what you have sent me seems like a great guide to see what Gerard might contribute to my efforts.
I like your name, whether pen name or not, since Consecration to the Blessed Virgin was a big step in my life.
Jim Ewing