Conference 2019

Reconciliation, Divine and Human

Logos conference, St Andrews, 6-8 June, 2019

The concept of reconciliation is central to the theology and ethics of the Judaeo-Christian tradition. In recent decades, moreover, its political relevance has come increasingly to the fore. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, for example, proved to be a vital element in the peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa.

Despite the prominent use of the term ‘reconciliation’, there is a lack of clarity as to how precisely it is to be understood. There is unclarity about:  (1) how it is interpreted in the Biblical sources; (2) how precisely it should be conceived theologically when it refers to the nature of God’s dealings with and rescue of a sinful humanity; (3) the implications of God’s reconciliation for humanity’s alienated mindset (Col 1:21); (4) how we construe the means of reconciliation in the inter-personal and socio-political contexts; (5) the relationship between reconciliation, forgiveness, and the pursuit of justice.

Consequently, the purpose of this conference is to encourage careful analysis of: (1) how this term should be construed in the theological and social/societal contexts; (2) how the conditions for reconciliation are to be conceived in these contexts; and (3) the implications of a theological understanding of divine reconciliation for a) understanding the relationship between human beings and God and b) for addressing dysfunctional relationships between human beings in contexts of conflict and alienation.

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Speakers

Kevin Diller	Amy-Jill Levine	Esau McCaulley	David Moffitt
Jürgen Moltmann	Louise Richardson	Christoph Schwöbel	Patrick Smith
	Eleonore Stump	N.T. Wright

Respondents

Richard Bauckham	Bruce Benson	Michelle Panchuk	Tim Pawl
Amy Peeler	Jonathan Rutledge	Kevin Timpe	Edwin Chr. van Driel
	Peter van Inwagen	Andrea White