Mimetic Type and Antitype: A Girardian Comparative Reading of the Women of Genesis 3:1–6, 20 and John 2:1–12

Saint Peter as ‘Sympresbyteros’

“…Thus, Scripture reflects the presence of positive and negative exemplars, and the subsequent effects (for better or worse) derived from each. In his Girardian comparative analysis of Eve (Gen 3:1–6, 20) and Mary (Jn 2:1–12), Nathan O’Halloran (2017, p. 227) concludes regarding the exemplars of negative and positive mimēsis :The purpose of the characterization of the women [i.e., Eve and Mary] as ‘representatives’ for this essay is that their behavior thus becomes demonstrative of universal patterns of behavior: in Eve’s case of how human beings generally in fact do act (negative mimesis), and in Mary’s case of how human beings ought to act (positive mimesis).This illustrates the necessity of Christians (especially, pastors/educators/parents) to effectively model positive behaviors (externally) and motivational desires (internally). The insufficiency of modeling/imitating exterior behavior is highlighted in NT texts such as 2 Cor 11:12–15.…”