History and the Paraclete

Abstract

The Ecumenical ReviewVolume 35, Issue 1 p. 3-16 History and the Paraclete René Girard, René Girard René Girard is Andrew B. Hammond professor of French language, literature and civilization at Stanford University, California, USA. In his study on the origin and the mechanisms of violence (La violence et le sacré, Grasset, 1972; English translation, Violence and the Sacred, Johns Hopkins University, 1978), he advanced a new approach to the entire field of human sciences. In a later publication (Des choses cachées depuis la fondation du monde, Grasset, 1978) he extended his approach to the study of the biblical text, thus in effect proposing a new principle of biblical interpretation which could have far-reaching theological implications. The present article is taken from the chapter of his most recent work, Le bouc émissaire, also published by Grasset (1982) and is reprinted here in English with the permission of the author and the publisher. While the argument presented in this chapter can be understood in isolation, a few footnotes have been added for clarification which it is hoped may stimulate ER readers to explore Girard's approach further. The text has been translated by the WCC Language Service.Search for more papers by this author René Girard, René Girard René Girard is Andrew B. Hammond professor of French language, literature and civilization at Stanford University, California, USA. In his study on the origin and the mechanisms of violence (La violence et le sacré, Grasset, 1972; English translation, Violence and the Sacred, Johns Hopkins University, 1978), he advanced a new approach to the entire field of human sciences. In a later publication (Des choses cachées depuis la fondation du monde, Grasset, 1978) he extended his approach to the study of the biblical text, thus in effect proposing a new principle of biblical interpretation which could have far-reaching theological implications. The present article is taken from the chapter of his most recent work, Le bouc émissaire, also published by Grasset (1982) and is reprinted here in English with the permission of the author and the publisher. While the argument presented in this chapter can be understood in isolation, a few footnotes have been added for clarification which it is hoped may stimulate ER readers to explore Girard's approach further. The text has been translated by the WCC Language Service.Search for more papers by this author First published: January 1983 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-6623.1983.tb03544.x AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume35, Issue1January 1983Pages 3-16 RelatedInformation