James Warren on Magic and Mimetic Theory: A Discussion about “Compassion or Apocalypse?”

One of my favorite teachers of mimetic theory is James Warren. Jim is a magician who masterfully unveils the workings of mimetic theory in his book Compassion or Apocalypse: A Comprehensible Guide to the Thought of René Girard. Jim’s book is so good that it’s one of the few that I have in both book and ebook format. I highly recommend it!

In this engaging interview, Jim talks about the fundamental elements of mimetic theory: how desire is formed, the model/obstacle relationship, rivalry, scandal, and the importance of the biblical message in general and Jesus in particular.

Near the end of the interview, Jim discusses the title of his book. Are we at the point in world history where we have to choose between “compassion or apocalypse?” Does apocalypse refer to divine violence or to human violence? With the proliferation and ease of acquiring weapons of mass destruction, is there hope for our world?

Watch as Jim magically unveils the answer to those questions and many more in the video above!

Jim has much more on magic and mimetic theory at his website Biblical Peacemaking. To schedule Jim for a magic show at your school, business, or church, visit his site James Warren Magic.