2001-2006 — A New Theological Urgency

From the beginning, our theological vision has drawn life from the nonviolent Sermon on the Mount, Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of Beloved Community, and Desmond Tutu’s Ubuntu theology — each of which understands human life as deeply interconnected. In this light, Girardian theology speaks across Catholic and Protestant traditions. It is rooted in Scripture, radically sacramental, and able to move beyond many inherited polemics of the Reformation. It also challenges Christian exceptionalism by inviting interfaith friendship and collaboration in the work of peace.

By the early 2000s, the theological relevance of mimetic theory was already becoming visible through a growing network of writers, websites, and communities. Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary brought Girardian interpretation of Scripture to pastors, preachers, and church professionals through weekly commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary. The Raven Foundation offered Girardian reflections on politics and popular culture. James Alison — Catholic theologian, priest, author, and advocate for gay people in the church — continued to articulate Girard’s insights for a wider audience.

These individual voices were essential. But something more was needed: a sustained theological conversation that could grow intellectually and spiritually over time, while drawing in new participants. What began to take shape was something like a theological guild or society working from mimetic anthropology.