Tutu offers it at a time when the world is engaged in geopolitical crisis. In this post-9/11 era, when religious beliefs are the fulcrum that spins the wheels of fear, discrimination and exclusion, he issues a call to all faiths in general — and to the Christian Church, his faith, in particular — to rediscover their divine mandate to be a reconciler, and not be seduced by worldly powers and systems that keep human brokenness in place.
This is a collection of speeches delivered in a variety of venues during his 40-year sojourn in the wilderness of peacemaking. It is largely influenced by his life struggle with apartheid, and how that experience has become the kinetic force that causes him to wade into some of the most acute social struggles. Tutu is uncompromisingly Christian. Jesus Christ is Lord. He also recognizes that those with other faith traditions should be respected. Being able to love and care despite differences is the glue that mends brokenness. The book’s title serves not to deny Christians as beneficiaries in the will of God, but to open the will to all whom God has created.
The radical priest invoking the prophet Jeremiah confesses that he is, by nature, not comfortable with confrontation; still, there is something within that won’t allow him to keep his peace wherever there is suffering and pain between people and communities. The foundation of his belief is derived from the African word, Ubuntu, loosely translated according to Tutu as, “a person is a person through other persons.” It suggests that no matter where we fall in the defining boxes of diversity — whether by race, color, creed, class, gender, socio-economic, or political persuasion — we all belong to one family. All are made in the image of God.
The speeches are illuminating salvos launched to shed light on the barriers of conflict that keep division in the human community in place: racism, sexism, injustice, historical hatred, and vengeance. At the risk of being severely criticized, Tutu calls people of the faith world who are at odds — in the Middle East, in post-Apartheid South Africa, even in the Christian church with its nagging political, theological and inclusion struggles — to agree to disagree and honor each one’s unique place in the realm of God.
At the core of Tutu’s quest for healthy reconciliation and community is forgiveness and restorative justice. Using the Zacchaeus-Jesus encounter (Luke 19:1-10), Tutu shows it was Jesus’ choice to see the value in the controversial tax collector that led him to not only become charitable, but also feel compelled to provide reparations to those whom he had wronged. Subsequently, he went from persona non grata to redeemed community member. This is the panacea needed to restore fractured community.
God Is Not A Christian reminds us that zealous love of God should lead to zealous love and respect of others.
Sterling Morse is is coordinator for cross cultural ministries and congregational support, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
