Dr. Kramer
COMS 560
16 April 2023
Hatred’s Ends
I couldn’t agree more with Dawson’s article, clearly depicts Christian proposal to peacemaking
in the new century. He began explaining how Christians are mobilized to be reconcilers. The
Bible teaches us in Corinthians 5:18, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to
himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” Reconciliation is a behavioral process in
which we take actions to restore a relationship or create a new one following forgiveness
(Abigail, R. A., 2014, p.207). He presents sin as a self-centered violation of relationship and
everyone has sinned; the good news is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we
can be reconciled to our creator and to each other. He explained how the church of Jesus Christ
has always been to see people reconciled to God through the Gospel, but the main hindrance to
this end has been us. Jesus didn’t tell us to apply the cross to the other person but to ourselves,
and this will give us the power to be reconcilers. Then, asking whom we hate and what can we
do about it, Dawson specifically applies these theological perspectives to enmity and
peacemaking. He presents a model of reconciliation to heal the wounds of the world, this means:
Confession- When people acknowledge the unjust or hurtful actions. In James 5:16 we
read, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may
be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Repentance- Turning from unloving to loving actions. In Act17:30 we read, “The times
of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
Reconciliation- Expressing and receiving forgiveness, reconciliation may result in a
transformed relationship. In Ephesian 4:32 we read, “Be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Restitution- Attempting to restore. In Jeremiah 30:17 we read, “For I will restore health
to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an
outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares.”
John Dawson provides hope for peace-making and gives a series of very practical suggestions to
aid those who wish to become reconcilers. He highlights the work of practitioners currently
working with religion, public policy, and conflict transformation, particularly in areas such as
Ireland and Africa.
Reference
Helmick, R. & Petersen, R. (2001). Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Religion Public Policy
and Conflict Transformation. Philadelphia, PA.: Templeton Foundation Press.
Lewis, Phillip. "FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION AS APPLIED TO NATIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS." Journal of Psychology and Theology 34.2 (2006):
175,176,178. ProQuest. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Cahn, D. D., Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication. Boston, MA:
Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
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