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In the past year I’ve come to appreciate Jesus afresh, through the lens of what’s called Mimetic Theory as pioneered by Rene Girard. This literary critic and philosopher reads the Gospels (and really, the Hebrew Bible and New Testament) through the lens of mimentic violence – looking at what happens when we humans imitate hostile and fearful acts, causing “violence begetting violence.” Mimetic theory puts Jesus’ life, death, and teachings in a whole new perspective that transcends – and if we’re honest, in many ways outright negates – traditional religious structures.
And yet, mimetics as I’ve encountered them leaves me wanting more. I want to see the conversation expand from philosophy, lit-crit and theology into other social sciences – even the so-called ‘hard’ sciences, like brain sciences. And I want to see some examples of positive mimesis, darn it! Surely we’re capable of imitating more than just the ‘bad.’
I think I may have discovered the bridge to ‘something more’ that I’m looking for – Jeremy Rifkin distilling his latest ground-breaking work, The Empathic Civilization. I won’t say much more except to watch this video! It’s over ten minutes long; get over it. 
It’s ten minutes well-spent. You will be mesmerized! And just maybe, your entire outlook on life and what motivates people will be transformed.
This is what guides my passions, in both Presence and The David Group International – to see a new earth and a new humanity being birthed, a people with a deeper trust in a more expansive God, where common humanity creates the deepest of ties. Viva la empathetic mimesis!
9 comments to “Hard-Wired Hope for Humanity”
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Interesting… however, I find within me a dual existence of empathy and greed. At a basic level… I find within me a law that when I want to be empathetic there is also an ever present greed and selfishness. Kind of a Romans 7 struggle. I personally think at all individuals have that within them to varying degrees with varying emphasises. In other words, the fall is an observable phenomenon for me. While I seldom act and sometimes never act on the fallen person it is none the less there in my thoughts.
Likewise, I use my sense of right and wrong (the knowledge of good and evil) to justify myself and judge others. Perhaps I can learn more control… but it seems that I cannot eradicate the dark side completely. I personally think that all honest individuals would conclude the same.
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Hello Joe. Please excuse my bold response. But your message sounds like an argument for egoic control over Grace and surrender and conscious awareness over instinct and base drives. Isn’t this the either/or approach? It’s been my experience and my observations that the way from either/or to both/and is through awareness, acceptance and action, i.e., let go and let God. Godspeed.
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You don’t eradicate it; you integrate it. That’s why Jesus said ‘Do not resist evil’. Once you’re aware of what has caused the hostile or negative feeling in yourself, then it can be transformed. If it’s merely banished, it’ll come back much more fiercely. Repressing feelings you consider unacceptable turns them into monsters.
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It makes a lot of sense and caters to my optimistic nature. I hope he’s right.
Alicia
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Well, that was nothing short of astounding… the Gospel implications are mind blowing.
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Tim,
I find this very interesting. I have moving away from theology, spiritual reading, and biblical research into Philosophy and relational ideas. The Hebraic ideas that are purely relational are turned into religious codes and language barriers. We developed a entire culture based on a “Violent God.” One scholar from the University of Chicago
shared how the Christian idea of “Sovereignty” influenced sttructures of government.
I find this deals more with the function of Evil rather than the theological chalkboard on the Origins. The Perceived “duality” is rooted in our social perceptions. Thank You Tim for your continual investment in the Function of Reconcilation. -
Humans sof-wired for empathy and connection + modern technology + Greatest Story Ever Told = Tremendous Potential for our age! I love this! It’s so contrary to the “doom and gloom” scenarios built upon a “hard-wired” prophetic time table. Thank you for sharing it!
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omg!
How long have I been sayin’ this! If I write anymore it will be like years of babbling so I’m leavin’ it at that!
Ok well just one more thing – imo this has the potential to expand past humanity and totally redefine our relationship with nature.
Incredible post and video! This is the heart of what drives my personal spirituality. I linked to your insightful article to get the word out. Incredible stuff.
Peace and blessings,
Eruesso