Summary: What are the roots of human violence? Many theses seek to explain societal rivalry, injustice, and scapegoating. Perhaps none is more thorough or persuasive than Rene Girard's. Yet do his theories on imitation, rivalry, violence, sacrifice, and religion find support in Scripture?

These scholarly essays engage this question at multiple levels. Especially Girard's theories on sacrifice and imitation are critically examined in these significant contributions to Girardian scholarshipwhich culminate in a response by Girard himself.

"In reading this rich collection of essays we are privileged to witness a vigorous exchange between spirited scribes and Ren