Persuasions of God: Inventing the Rhetoric of Rene Girard

The nations of the global north are in a post-secular or post-Christian period, and Paul Lynch pursues a project of "theorhetoric" to reinvent God through the reimagined themes of meekness, sacrifice, atonement, and holiness. This book draws on mimetic theory to answer the question of where religion goes next and will be valued by religious studies and communications scholars.

Format: Hardback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 20 March 2024
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

The nations of the global north find themselves in a transformative era marked by significant shifts in the practice, expression, and impact of religion. This period is often referred to as a post-secular or post-Christian era, where the traditional frameworks of religious belief and practice are being reevaluated and reimagined. In his book, Persuasions of God, Paul Lynch embarks on a groundbreaking project of "theorhetoric," a novel approach to speaking about the divine.

Lynch's quest for new religious forms arises in the context of the lingering influence of Christianity, prompting him to turn to the renowned twentieth-century thinker René Girard for inspiration. Girard, known for his profound insights into the sacred and its expression within the Christian tradition, becomes Lynch's guiding light as he seeks to invent a post-Christian way of speaking to, for, and especially about God.

Lynch leverages Girard's mimetic theory, which posits that the sacred is the intersection of violence, order, and sacralization at the heart of religion. By reinterpreting these themes through the lens of meekness, sacrifice, atonement, and holiness, Lynch proposes a paradoxical rhetoric that refuses rivalry, actively exploits tradition through complicit invention, and boldly seeks a holiness free from exclusionary violence.

The project of theorhetoric, as envisioned by Lynch, is to reinvent God through the reimagined themes of meekness, sacrifice, atonement, and holiness. Persuasions of God offers a profound exploration of these themes, providing a reimagined framework for religion that is relevant and meaningful in our post-secular age.

This interdisciplinary work blends philosophy, sociology, rhetorical studies, and theology, drawing on mimetic theory to address the question of where religion goes next. It will appeal to religious studies and communications scholars, as well as anyone interested in the future of Christianity in our modern world. Through his innovative approach, Lynch invites us to rethink our relationship with the divine and explore new avenues for spiritual growth and transformation.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271097091