{"product_id":"9780802879929","title":"Imitation in Early Christianity : Mimesis and Religious-ethical Formation by Cornelis Bennema","description":"\u003cb\u003eWhat did exhortations to ?follow Jesus? or ?imitate Christ? mean to early Christians?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardback","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56420364616053,"sku":"9780802879929","price":47.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/products\/9780802879929","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}