First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 7 Character and Imitation

Chapter Summary Is there someone who comes to mind that you would like to imitate? The nineteenth century Irish poet, Oscar Wilde, famously quipped, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” This is most likely not what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Instead, Paul called for believers to follow his example of imitating God. In fact, such imitation was expected of those who were called His children (Eph 5:1). In oral cultures, imitation is an important way to pass along information about the way to live. In fact, one might argue that imitation is the most effective means to make disciples. We see it as children imitate their parents or when young athletes imitate the professionals. We see it even in the students of Greek philosophers as well. The

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