Mimetic Rivalries in the Bible: Cain, King Saul, the Pharisees, and Jesus Christ

René Girard, a French philosopher of social science, introduced the concept of mimetic rivalry, which occurs when a group of people compete to emulate one another. This form of rivalry is often fueled by the desire to gain status and attention, leading to conflicts and ultimately leading to the scapegoat mechanism. The Bible, according to Girard, contains numerous examples of mimetic rivalries, especially in stories such as that of Cain and Abel, King Saul and David, the Pharisees and Jesus Christ.

The Origin of Mimetic Rivalry: Cain and Abel

In Genesis 4, the story of Cain and Abel provides an early example of mimetic rivalry. Both Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to God, but God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's. This acceptance was witnessed by others, indicating that there was a broader audience present. Cain's offering was rejected, while Abel's was accepted, encouraging others to emulate Abel. This led to a violent and tragic outcome, as Cain, feeling jealous and shamed, murdered his brother Abel.

King Saul and David: The Biblical Parallel of Political Mimetic Rivalry

In the story of King Saul and David, found in 1 Samuel 18-27, a similar dynamic unfolds. After David's heroic victory over Goliath, the people began to express their admiration for him, with chants praising David over Saul. Saul, fearing that he would be marginalized or even eliminated from the line of kingship, became deeply jealous and sought to eliminate David. This resulted in repeated attempts to kill David and ultimately led to David becoming a rival to Saul's kingship.

The Religious Mimetic Rivalry: The Pharisees and Jesus Christ

The final example of mimetic rivalry is seen in the relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees, as recounted in the Gospels. By declaring that the Law of Moses was no longer the ultimate path to salvation and that he himself was supreme, Jesus sparked significant conflict with the traditional religious leaders of his time. The Pharisees, who held a position of religious authority, felt threatened by Jesus' teachings and influence. They tried to eliminate Jesus through covert means but ultimately resorted to betrayal, leading to his crucifixion. This event illustrated how the dynamics of mimetic rivalry can escalate to grave and destructive outcomes.

Consequences of Mimetic Rivalry

These stories, especially those of Cain, King Saul, and the Pharisees, demonstrate the destructive nature of mimetic rivalry. Instead of seeking self-improvement or abandoning their corrupt ways, the antagonists in these stories unleashed their self-pity and malice upon their rivals. This behavior not only silenced their reprovers but also further entrenched the mimetic rivalry.

One key takeaway is that mimetic rivalry often leads to scapegoating, where one individual is blamed and punished for the collective tensions and conflicts. This mechanism is deeply rooted in human psychology and can have severe consequences in both religious and political contexts.

Keywords: mimetic rivalry, Bible stories, scapegoat mechanisms