Building Cultures of Reconciliation

Social scientists and social workers, ministers and other leaders of faith-based communities, many different persons today recognize that the era into which we are rapidly moving may be characterized by social circumstances that are unlike those that have shaped our recent past. Such change inevitably brings different forms of personal and social tension. The purpose of this web page is to suggest ways by which the resources of the schools of the Boston Theological Institute might be of assistance as we move into new social terrain.

The material that is found here is designed to promote better negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution and transformation insight and skills. It is to enable us to learn to listen to one another and to understand better. Since the BTI is a consortium of seminaries, theology schools and university divinity schools, the material that is found here is inevitably oriented toward religious ideas and understanding, i.e., it draws upon and is related to the deepest values of people and of our culture and cultures. It is also theological. This is because theology is the structure of religion. It makes possible language about that which is most meaningful to us.

Building cultures of reconciliation implies a process. It begins with recognizing the origins of conflict. It often means learning to see the structural violence that lies just beyond the horizon of our own interests – and learning to deal with practices and attitudes that contribute to conflict rather than mutuality. Social conflict is inherent in human relations and is manifest and internal to the persons and parties involved. It is that which reveals difference. Conflict can escalate and eventuate in a variety of outcomes, some of which are destructive. Some can contribute to reconciliation and mutual well being. This does not imply agreement, although it may. Indeed, difference can enrich as well as enflame. Building cultures of reconciliation means developing proactive attitudes and practices that make community possible.

Reconciliation happens as persons or groups begin to shape their lives in positive relation to one another. It happens as people learn to deal with what separates them and as they find a bridge to new attitudes and practices that enable people to live in relation to one another, not in isolation from each other.

Forgiveness is the means toward breaking the cycles of hostility and violence that lock people into repetitive patterns of mutual destructiveness. A culture of reconciliation is established as persons seek repairative, transformative, or restorative justice.

The Boston Theological Institute was founded in order to promote understanding and cooperation, not to erase difference, but to find in difference ways that enhance human experience and deepen patterns of community. Deep change draws upon our assumptions about life, or ontology. It implies a way of understanding, or an epistemology. This must eventuate in practice, or ethics. Building cultures of reconciliation is what churches are all about, or should be. Such a culture happens within and among churches as well as outside of faith-communities insofar as principles of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restorative justice are implemented. These values, and the patterns that work for justice and that build peace, are the focus of this web page.