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by Cornelis Bennema (Author), Michael J. Gorman (Foreword by)
What did exhortations to "follow Jesus" or "imitate Christ" mean to early Christians?
Cornelis Bennema examines mimesis as a religious-ethical concept in early Christianity--the imitation of Jesus (and other exemplars) to become a better, more Christlike person. Situating appeals for imitation in the New Testament and Apostolic Fathers within the cultural and social context of the broader Greco-Roman world, Bennema shows how early Christian mimesis was not about literal replication, but instead was a creative, cognitive, and transformative means for shaping conduct and character. As part of this study, Bennema explores key questions about the historic origins of early Christian mimesis; the language that early Christian authors used to articulate the concept of mimesis; the scope, nature, and workings of mimesis in each major section of early Christian literature; and how early Christians navigated the challenges of imitating exemplars (such as Paul or Jesus) who were not physically present. Offering well-researched answers to these questions, Bennema provides readers with a nuanced and informative picture of exhortations to imitation in the New Testament and Apostolic Fathers.Author Biography
Cornelis Bennema teaches New Testament studies at the London School of Theology. His publications include A Theory of Character in New Testament Narrative, Encountering Jesus: Character Studies in the Gospel of John, and Mimesis in the Johannine Literature.
Number of Pages: 464
Publication Date: March 20, 2025
