(Saturday 14th February 2015)
Now, aside from being a catchy title to a short piece, ‘exclusion’ and ‘embrace’ seem like pretty key concepts to grapple with pretty much anywhere you go in the world. When terrible things happen, we can move closer towards either embracing or excluding those whom we see as responsible for such atrocities. Whether it’s racism, blatant or hidden, found in so many different countries, or whether it’s open conflict fought in the name of religion, justice or liberation – or whatever the excuse – Jesus’ command to actually, truly love your ‘enemy’ often finds us at our most intolerable and unyielding.
…I guess that’s kind of why it’s so important. And why we need so much help with it.
Exclusion and Embracealso happens to be the title of MiroslavVolf’s most famous book.Volf, currently of Yale Divinity School, recently visited Bethlehem Bible College, discussing the relationship between Christians and Islam and, in line with his theology of embrace, how we may better work towards peace and a common ground, even despite our differences. A man whose theology and philosophy has been formed not only through extensive reading but by a life on the front lines of religious and societal conflict – Miroslav grew up in the in the midst of the Balkan conflict – Volf is in as good a positon as any to give advice on building bridges. And in this part of the world, we surely need that.
A posture of embrace – one seeking reconciliation and forgiveness among the blurred lines between perpetrators and victims, whilst not ignoring the need for justice – is the only answer to a world ravaged by sin, hatred, exclusion and the ongoing cycle that it inevitably breeds. When we exclude, at any level, we simply lay the foundations for more of the same.
Volf’s visit, appreciated by all at the college and by many visitors, was another timely encouragement to build towards God’s kingdom – a kingdom where all enemies are loved into extinction.
