Friday's children : an examination of theologies of martyrdom in the light of the mimetic theory of Rene Girard
The thesis looks in detail at different understandings of the phenomenon and significance of Christian martyrdom, with a view to what is needed for an adequate doctrine of martyrdom for the present day. My primary methodological tool will be the 'mimetic' theory associated with the cultural anthropologist Rene Girard, which looks at the interrelations between culture, religion and violence. I work, therefore, with two aims in view: firstly, an enhanced doctrine of martyrdom, and secondly, an assessment of the utility or otherwise of mimetic theory when applied to a particular area of Christian doctrine. In a preliminary first chapter, I establish the theological context within which questions about martyrdom are to be raised, namely the doctrine of atonement. I provide a survey of recent reflection on the principal metaphors of atonement (victory over demonic powers, justice, sacrifice), and indicate how this approach may be of hel p in constructing a theology of martyrdom. The second chapter offers a description and definition of Christian martyrdom by way of an extensive historical survey, drawing upon biblical, martyrological and 'patristic sources. I show how this 'classical' doctrine of martyrdom contains
Kirwan, Michael Joseph
Christian martyrdom
Friday's children : an examination of theologies of martyrdom in the light of the mimetic theory of Rene Girard. The thesis looks in detail at different understandings of the phenomenon and significance of Christian martyrdom, with a view to what is needed for an adequate doctrine of martyrdom for the present day. My primary methodological tool will be the 'mimetic' theory associated with the cultural anthropologist Rene Girard, which looks at the interrelations between culture, religion and violence. I work, therefore, with two aims in view: firstly, an enhanced doctrine of martyrdom, and secondly, an assessment of the utility or otherwise of mimetic theory when applied to a particular area of Christian doctrine. In a preliminary first chapter, I establish the theological context within which questions about martyrdom are to be raised, namely the doctrine of atonement. I provide a survey of recent reflection on the principal metaphors of atonement (victory over demonic powers, justice, sacrifice), and indicate how this approach may be of hel p in constructing a theology of martyrdom. The second chapter offers a description and definition of Christian martyrdom by way of an extensive historical survey, drawing upon biblical, martyrological and 'patristic sources. I show how this 'classical' doctrine of martyrdom contains
child examination theology martyrdom light mimetic theory look_detail different understanding phenomenon significance christian martyrdom view need adequate doctrine martyrdom present_day primary methodological_tool mimetic theory associate cultural anthropologist look interrelation culture religion violence work therefore two_aim view firstly enhance doctrine martyrdom secondly assessment utility otherwise mimetic theory_apply particular area christian_doctrine preliminary first establish_theological context_within question martyrdom raise namely doctrine atonement provide survey recent reflection principal metaphor atonement victory demonic power justice sacrifice indicate may constructing theology martyrdom second offer_description definition christian martyrdom way extensive historical survey draw_upon biblical patristic source show classical doctrine martyrdom contains