In this article, Ong adds clarity to a point expressed by Ren\u00e9 Girard concerning the “imitation” of Christ.\u00a0 The point was noted in a published conversation with Rebecca Adams entitled “Violence, Difference, Sacrifice:\u00a0 A Conversation with Ren\u00e9 Girard.”<\/p>\n
Ong starts his discussion by noting that according to the Gospel, Jesus never tells anyone to imitate him but to follow him.\u00a0 Instead, the idea of imitation comes from the letters of Paul.\u00a0 To point out this fact, Ong quotes the various passages in Paul\u2019s letters that mention imitation.\u00a0 Ong then returns to the words of Jesus using the Greek translation and states that Jesus always used words that denote following him but never once used words denoting imitation (or mimesis).<\/p>\n
Ong continues by explaining how “imitation” and “following” are quite different concepts.\u00a0 Imitation means to do exactly as another does and can be performed almost mechanically.\u00a0 In such a case, imitation can connote something less than genuine, as in “It is only an imitation.”\u00a0 Following, on the other hand, specifies a difference between the leader and follower in terms of position and situation.\u00a0 To follow is not to do exactly as the leader does, but to act in accordance with, or complementary to, as a companion.\u00a0 In relation to Christ, the difference is reduplicating Christ\u2019s life as “imitation” suggests, as opposed to being an extension of Christ\u2019s life, as “following” suggests.\u00a0 Ong suggests that the difference in word choice may be the result of differing educational backgrounds.\u00a0 “Imitation” and mimesis” are terms of Western schooling stemming from the Greek tradition, whereas “following” is more ancient and stems from Hebrew thought.<\/p>\n
Ong concludes his discussion by dealing directly with the words of Girard and reasons that “following,” not “imitation,” fits best with Girard\u2019s hypothesis.\u00a0 In this discussion of Girard, Ong reiterates the fact that Jesus asked others to follow him, not to imitate him, and that is what the people who have a relationship with Jesus are called:\u00a0 his followers.<\/p>\n
Mark E. Johnson
\nCommunication
\nUniversity of Dayton<\/p>\n
In this article, Ong adds clarity to a point expressed by Ren\u00e9 Girard concerning the “imitation” of Christ.\u00a0 The point was noted in a published conversation with Rebecca Adams entitled “Violence, Difference, Sacrifice:\u00a0 A Conversation with Ren\u00e9 Girard.” Ong starts his discussion by noting that according to the Gospel, Jesus never tells anyone to imitate … Continue reading Annotation: Mimesis and the Following of Christ<\/span>