[Greek] συμμιμητής (symmimētēs), [Latin] imitator: fellow imitator, one who mimics, one who imitates, to do what is seen to be done by someone else; Php.3:17
Plato’s concept of essence (the idea of the thing is the thing) becomes the inspiration for Nike’s marketing slogan “Just do it.”
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: Throughout history, man has imitated (mimicked) activities from nature: spiders (weaving and sewing), and birds (building), etc. Art seeks to copy or imitate. Such examples include drama, painting, sculpture, music, and dance. Interestingly, Plato viewed the poet (and artists) as mere imitators. Plato looked down upon tragic poets during his lifetime. God created the essence of the idea. The carpenter becomes a secondary creator. The painter or poet are just imitators, giving expression to the idea. They copy reality, remaining remote from the truth.
Ethical imitation: The notion of imitating or mimicking develops in the ethical sphere. Imitating in a negative sense can be illustrated in what is showy, aped, and weak and unoriginal copying. Emphasis is focused more on being good or imitating a good man. Children are called to follow the good example of their parents. Students are called to be attentive and obedient to their teachers. Plato’s Republic 597c states “God is the real author of the couch that has real being. God is its true and natural begetter. The carpenter is also a creator of some particular couch. The painter is the imitator of the thing which those others produce.” Plato’s Republic 601a states “The poet himself, knowing nothing but how to imitate it, lays on words and phrases. The creator of this phantom, we say, knows nothing of the reality but only the appearance.” Euripides’ Helen 940 states “I beseech you, grant me this favor, and imitate the character of a just father; for this is the fairest glory for children, when the child of a good father resembles its parents in character.”
Old Testament: The notion of imitation is generally a foreign concept in the Old Testament. There is no thought that we must imitate God. God is incomparable and inimitable to man in being and action. The Hellenistic philosopher Philo mentions obedience in imitation of fathers (and commands of their fathers). Men should imitate God.
New Testament: This term means joint (fellow) imitator. Paul presents himself as a type (model) on whom the Phillipians should conduct themselves. They are to follow his example of authority, not perfection. This imitation becomes a form of obedience. Paul states that those, who follow him, may experience suffering and will experience resurrection. In contrast, Paul references others who conduct themselves as enemies of Christ. Their end is in destruction.
Scripture:
“Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.” Php.3:17
Paul calls upon the Phillipians to follow his example in conducting themselves. He calls them to be obedient.
Conclusion:
Imitate, imitation, mimic
I had never really considered that early man would observe and imitate the actions of creatures in the world. It was interesting to discover Plato’s view of creation and imitation. God and carpenters are creators. However, artists (painters, poets, writers, etc) are only imitators, giving expression to reality. Plato’s concept of essence is that the idea of a thing is the thing. (For example, one’s idea of a chair has more “chairness” than any manufactured chair). This concept provides the basis for Nike’s marketing slogan “Just do it!” It is also interesting how imitation enters into the ethical realm. Good character and obedience are the results of this idea.
In the Old Testament, it is significant to note that God does not directly apply to imitation. Imitation does not apply since God is so incomparable and different from man. However, Philo speaks of imitating God in being obedient to fathers (and commands of fathers).
In the New Testament, Paul calls upon the Phillipians to follow his example in being faithful to Christ. This is a form of obedience.
The Greek noun poiema means workmanship. And yet God is the perfect poet and I bet you didn’t know it!
