Reconciliation as a Controversial Symbol

Reconciliation is never simple and straightforward; it is often tied to ideological conflict, resulting in very different understandings of what this noble Christian ideal is all about.

In this important study, Dr. Demaine Solomons provides a thorough conceptual analysis of the term “reconciliation” within the context of Christian discourse in South Africa. Analysing literature from the 1960s onwards, particularly in theological reflections on social conflict within the country, the author explores the diverse interpretations of reconciliation. Drawing on the Christus Victor typology of atonement by Gustaf Aulén, this study facilitates ongoing theological reflection by offering a constructive reinterpretation of reconciliation in contemporary South Africa. By exploring creative uses of the reconciliation concept, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of its application in Christian contexts, offering a more complete version of how South Africa’s reconciliation “narrative” is understood and providing insight into how this theological concept might be understood in other social contexts.