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René Girard, Theology, and Pop Culture Spiral-Bound | August 10, 2021

Ryan G. Duns (Edited by), T. Derrick Witherington (Edited by), Jordan Almanzar (Contributions by), Brian Bajzek (Contributions by), Matthew Brake (Contributions by), Paolo Diego Bubbio (Contributions by), Erik Buys (Contributions by), George A. Dunn (Contributions by), Ryan G. Duns (Contributions by), Justin Lee (Contributions by), Daniel DeForest London (Contributions by)

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René Girard, Theology, and Pop Culture provides a fresh and engaging introduction to and the application of René Girard’s mimetic theory. From movies to social media, television to graphic novels, the contributors explore popular culture’s theological depths and challenge readers to consider what culture reveals about them.

In René Girard, Theology, and Popular Culture, fifteen contributors consider how Girard’s mimetic theory can be used to uncover and probe the theological depths of popular culture. Creative and critical engagement with Girard’s theory enables the contributors to offer fresh and exciting interpretations of movies (The Devil Wears Prada, Mean Girls, Star Wars), television (Hoarders, Cobra Kai), classical literature and graphic novels, and issues ranging from anorexia to social media. The result is a volume that establishes Girard as an innovative interpreter of culture and shows him as an invaluable guide for theologically reflecting on desire, violence, redemption, and forgiveness. Written in fresh and lively prose, the contributors demonstrate not only that Girard provides a powerful lens through which to view culture but also—and more provocatively—challenge readers to consider what popular culture reveals about them. Readers looking for an accessible introduction to mimetic theory and exploring its theological application will find this a welcome resource.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Original Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 266 pages
ISBN-10: 1978710089
Item Weight: 1.3 lbs
Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.0 x 9.0 inches
What a class act! These established and emerging Girard scholars demonstrate how mimetic theory, which cut its teeth on nineteenth-century novels, also illuminates contemporary film, television, and graphic novels—now that viewing has supplanted reading, as Girard acknowledges. And if these new genres don’t interest you, there are chapters on the weaponizing of Twitter, hoarding, anorexia, and the Church. Fr Duns’ introduction, explicating mimetic theory via The Devil Wears Prada, is a master class. A must for Girardians, an upskilling for theologians, a resource for preachers, and an education for pop culture junkies. -Scott Cowdell, Charles Sturt University
Ryan G. Duns is a Jesuit priest and assistant professor of theology at Marquette University. T. Derrick Witherington is the director of liturgy for Gesu Parish and adjunct lecturer of theology at Marquette University.