ISBN 0800636007Reconciliation is God’s gift in Christ. It inevitably includes justice and peace. This is the Christian tradition that addresses both interpersonal and social relations — and was the formative influence on the vision of the TRC. In chs. 2 and 3, De Gruchy considers the Christian tradition.
Then, in ch. 4, he shows the broader implications well beyond south Africa, writing on “Reconciliation and the Household of Abraham.” At a time when “homeland security” may lead us to disregard our own principles and law — the arrest and lawyer-less seclusion of Arabs and Pakistanis — we owe it to ourselves to read and ponder this book, especially ch. 4, in order that we may become more aware of our ties both to Judaism and Islam.
Reconciliation is written with passion — and also with nuanced analysis of South Africa’s past and present. But it covers far more, since its analysis reflects on the human and social conditions of a world in desperate need of reconciliation. Who can counsel us, convict and convince us? Who can speak to our issues? De Gruchy can and does.
Desmond Tutu, former Archbishop of Cape Town and TRC chair, wrote: “I warmly recommend this timely book.” There is no better recommendation.
