In Article 12, Hatred’s End: A Christian Proposal to Peacemaking in a
New Century, John Dawson discusses the faith helps us as Christians with
healing. John describes reconciliation as a time where we can fellowship and
enjoy the intimate interaction with individuals who were once our enemies. He
says that reconciliation is a miracle that was made possible to us by the sacrifice
Jesus Christ made on the cross. John Dawson says, “Everyone has sinned. Sin is
that which violates relationships, the selfish acts that separate us from one
another and from God; however an atonement for sin has been mediated through
Jesus’ sinless life, unjust death and triumphant resurrection.” Everyone has
sinned, and does commit some form of sin. Though we sin differently, our
peer’s sins are no worse or better than ours. A sin is a sin.
John asks the question “Whom do you hate?” He states we have all
encountered the temptation to hate at some point in our lives. Whether it is
caused by a situation at work, at home, with friends, or with family, hate has
existed in all of use at some time or another. We are then asked, “What can we
do about it?” We must open up our hearts. John reiterates that reconciliation
cannot be possible without first bringing our hearts to God. The healing period
begins once we have confronted our pasts honestly. We must face what has
happened in the past and bring it “to the front of the cross” before we can begin
forgiveness.
The biggest advantage of Article 12 was “Where do I start?” This section
provided reflection on how to manage and overcome hatred. The first step is for
us to become a worshiper. The first step stood out most, because we should
always keep God within the center of our lives. Nothing but good comes from
having God in our lives. The “Release Forgiveness and Refrain from Judgment”
was the next section that stood out most. In this section John discusses our use
of self-pity as the offended person in a situation.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8 reads, “Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they
will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass
away.” This passage from the Bible shows how ending hatred related to conflict
management. If we love one another more, and hate less, we would have less
conflict to begin with. This article coaches us how having less hatred in our
lives and talking it with love. Conflict cannot be resolved when hatred exists.
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