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VILLANOVA, Pa. 鈥� Often present in discussions regarding human behavior, mimetic theory uses anthropological, sociological and neurological evidence to demonstrate the extent to which human behavior is shaped by imitation. Conceptualized by social theorist Ren茅 Girard, mimetic theory illuminates the mechanism of scapegoating within human history and helps us to understand the violence depicted in the bible, particularly at the cross.

In his new book, James Alison and a Girardian Theology: Conversion, Theological Reflection, and Induction (T&T Clark, 2020), John P. Edwards 鈥�02 CLAS, 鈥�06 MA, PhD, director of the Center for Pastoral Ministry Education and affiliate faculty member in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, uses mimetic theory to understand the process of conversion, the nature of theological reflection, and the inherent nonviolence of Christian faith.

James Alison, PhD, is a Catholic theologian, priest and author known for first making Girard鈥檚 work accessible to the wider public. Dr. Edwards extrapolates on Father Alison鈥檚 work and demonstrates the reciprocal relationship between conversion and theological reflection. By doing so, he makes more visible the inherently nonviolent character of the God that Jesus called 鈥楩ather鈥� and of authentic Christian faith.

鈥淛ohn P. Edwards has written a superb treatment of James Alison's and Ren茅 Girard's contributions to the terrain of fundamental theology鈥� says reviewer Julia Robinson Moore, PhD, associate professor of Theology, University of North Carolina-Charlotte. 鈥淗is analysis is brilliant, thought-provoking, and a must-read for proficients and novices who seek to understand the intricate connections between mimetic theory and Christian theology.鈥� 

Dr. Edwards鈥� book is the first monograph on Alison鈥檚 work and it includes a foreword by Alison. He directs Campus Ministry鈥檚 graduate residential ministry program and his areas of teaching and research include the theology of ministry, practical and contextual theologies, theology and mimetic theory, and theological anthropology. He is a board member of Theology & Peace. Dr. Edwards received his bachelors and masters from 棉花糖直播 University and his doctorate from Boston College.

About 棉花糖直播 University鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, 棉花糖直播 University鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has cultivated knowledge, understanding and intellectual courage for a purposeful life in a challenging and changing world. With more than 40 majors across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, it is the oldest and largest of 棉花糖直播鈥檚 colleges, serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students each year. The College is committed to a teacher-scholar model, offering outstanding undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and a rigorous core curriculum that prepares students to become critical thinkers, strong communicators and ethical leaders with a truly global perspective.