by Paul Lynch
First published 2024
Paul Lynch tackles the crisis facing religion in nations where Christianity no longer dominates public life. He develops what he calls "theorhetoric," a new method for discussing the divine that draws heavily on René Girard's mimetic theory. Girard identified violence, order, and sacralization as the core elements of the sacred within religious traditions. Lynch takes these insights and crafts a different approach to speaking about God, one that embraces meekness rather than rivalry, works within existing traditions while transforming them, and seeks holiness without exclusion or violence. His project centers on reimagining four key concepts: meekness, sacrifice, atonement, and holiness. Through this framework, Lynch proposes how religion might evolve in our current era. The book combines philosophy, sociology, rhetorical studies, and theology to address where religious thought and practice might head next.
Genres: philosophy, sociology, religion, theology, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic
220 pages · Hardcover · Penn State University Press