Table of Contents

IntroductionPart One: Discourse How Dare We Speak of Reconciliation?Holy Grail or secular pact? Clarifying the GenreReconciliatoin: constructed and contestReconciliation as national project Reconciliation in Christian TraditionThe 'grand narrative' of redemptionThe Pauline trajectory of reconciliationConstructing the doctrineA public theology of reconciliationPart Two: Agency Reconciliation EmbodiedTreasure in clay jarsSociality, solidarity and vicarious actionSacraments of reconciliationVicarious confession of guilt Reconciliation and the Household of AbrahamAlienating memories and present realitiesThe household of Abraham and national reconciliationDialogue, commonality and differenceConviction, pluralism and covenantal obligationsPart Three: Process and Goal The Art of ReconciliationCreating space for interfacingTelling the truthListen to the sound of furyForgiveness as wisdom and power Covenanting together to Restore JusticeBeyond the social contractAcknowledging guiltReconnecting love, power and justiceA new covenant forged in hopeNotesSelect BibliographyIndex

About the Author

John de Gruchy is professor emeritus of Christian studies and a senior scholar at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is also an Extraordinary Professor at Stellenbosch University.