Exclusions and Embrace
By Miroslav Volf
Exclusions and Embrace is written to look at the causes of conflicts and divisions between humans from the Christian perspective. Miroslav Volf, a Croat, writes only a few years after the Croatian war for independence. Writing from the perspective of someone who has experienced the conflict caused from deep divisions he has many interesting things to say. He argues that within the Christian faith, and teachings of the Bible, humans can begin to find the answers they desire for the causes of conflict, and possible solutions. His argument is well laid out, and he does a great job explaining his argument. Volf’s book is a great read and important for any Christian, because the issues it deals with are prevalent in the modern world.
Beginning as many would Volf starts with the causes of these conflicts. He looks at the boundaries humans build up between each other, and the hatred that can grows between different peoples. One of the more interesting points Volf points out is the lack of innocence in many cases. Few who endure great pain or alienation are able to remain innocent. Evil has a tendency to foster more evil. It is people’s blindness to this fact that allows hatred for people to grow and so does their need for revenge. Looking at themselves as victims and their enemies as aggressors they are able to justify terrible evils. Following this cycle it is likely that the victim of today will be tomorrows aggressor. It is also important to note the existence of an evil system in this world constantly working to pit people against each other. It is this system that creates and can allow for major powers bent on the destruction of whole races.
Volf gives his theory on reconciliation in the chapter he entitled Embrace. To quickly summarize his belief Volf believes that Gods reconciliation to humans, should serve as the model for reconciliation for all people. We are to not hold on to blaming others, but begin to accept our own roles in conflicts. This does not mean people don’t still acknowledging the mistakes of others, but to begin to work on forgiveness and allow room for grace. Like the prodigal son the wrongs of people should be forgiven, but also acknowledged. Another key aspect to healing is as Christians we are supposed to take on almost a new identity. This identity is the identity of Christ. Like Abraham who left his family to follow God we must begin to let go of some the ties that put us into conflict and remember first that above all Christ lives within us. This is not that all ethnicity is erased but that faith is the driving center for Christians. In this way humans must follow in Abraham’s footsteps. Abraham left his family to follow God, to him the most important thing that defined who him was God.
Gender differences are also touched on in this book looking at the trinity and the cross to provide for biblical views on the matter. Volf argues that there is a sort of duality between genders, but that there is also “equal dignity”. He also notes that the identity of one gender is tied to that of the other. He then moves onto to Justice and Oppression. Noting the justice of one group can often be at odds with the justice of others, and human conflict can often make reconciliation between these people hard Volf calls us to be lead by the Holy Spirit. We must not think that this work of reconciliation between people is impossible, but to know that it is possible through God.
The second book I read was Besa. This is an extraordinary book that recounts the stories of Muslims in Albania who protected Jews from the Nazi regime during World War II. Put together by Norman H. Gershman it is a compilation of pictures and testimonies of Albanian Muslims. Throughout the book one resounding fact speaks loudly. Each Muslim acts as if it was obvious that they should save the persecuted Jews. This may go against modern perception of the relationship between Muslims and Jews. However, as these Muslims show this relationship may not be as cut and dry as usually thought. In the modern world few are aware of the great deeds that these Muslims have accomplished. They put their lives at risk to save over two thousand Jews. Going further against what many think these Muslims say it was their faith that caused them to save these Jews. To often, especially in Christian circles, Muslims painted as pure evil without a true look at their history. This book is important to read , because it can begin to educate people in a new way on the history of relationships between Jews and Muslims.
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