{"product_id":"imitation-in-early-christianity-cornelis-bennema-9780802879929","title":"Imitation in Early Christianity: Mimesis and Religious-Ethical Formation","description":"\u003cb\u003eWhat did exhortations to \"follow Jesus\" or \"imitate Christ\" mean to early Christians?\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Cornelis Bennema\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0802879926\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780802879929\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/20\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 464\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"Cornelis Bennema","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":46739267813631,"sku":"9780802879929","price":60.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_5d96c512-3a80-4760-88ff-d5893b754aa2.jpg?v=1743277703","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/imitation-in-early-christianity-cornelis-bennema-9780802879929","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}