Reviewed by Josiah Taru, Boniuk Institute
The second edition of Exclusion and Embrace, written two and half decades after the first edition, demonstrates that the world still grapples with the challenges of identity-based conflicts. Drawing from the war in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Christian theologian Miroslav Volf shows how the polarized identities – based on religion, race, and ethnicity - that were responsible for the war in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, are still with us today, albeit with new manifestations. Volf proposes a Christ-centered theology of embrace as one way of breaking the resurgence of identity-based conflicts and building lasting reconciliation. Following the example set by the Triune God, Volf calls Christians to embrace people from diverse identities by recognizing their worthiness and dignity as fellow human beings. Christianity modeled around Jesus leads to porous identities that accept differences and find how to co-exist with differences. Volf’s key contribution is that reconciliation informed by the principles of Triune God seeks neither to homogenize nor eradicate differences, rather it respects and celebrates diversity in humanity (p.98). Volf puts across the theology of embrace in a lucid and nuanced way. Every chapter opens with a discussion of incidents from the war in Yugoslavia or Volf’s personal experience, followed by intellectual debates and modernist theoretical insights that inform peacebuilding, justice, reconciliation, equality, and truth-telling among other relevant concepts. Every chapter concludes with theological reflections, showing how the Triune God has provided a model for Christians to follow.
The sub-title “A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation” sums up the themes explored in the book. The new introduction speaks to the constructions of insulated identities that leave little room for embracing of categories of people labeled as ‘them’. Globalization has fragmented the world instead of uniting it. The nation-state has remained important in the construction of an insulated identity. BREXIT, Make America Great Again (MAGA), and the handling of immigrants come to mind. Modernity based on abstract universal values and principles has also failed to increase inclusivity. Volf proposes the Christian theology of embrace as a solution. The theology of embrace is outlined in two parts. Part one consists of three chapters that provide strategies for creating Christian morality, personhood, and subjectivity that align with the theology of embrace. The theology of embrace requires Christians to construct their master identity around their relations with God. Volf does not call for the abandonment of diversity, rather Volf views things like racial or ethnic diversity as enriching to Christianity. Christians are situated in God and their cultures. In chapter 3 titled Exclusion, Volf details mechanisms of exclusions that are deployed by powerful groups of people in different societies. Any form of exclusion burns bridges and weaponizes identities. Chapter 4 titled Embrace is the central chapter that deals with the pragmatics of embrace. Volf builds the theology of embrace, noting that embrace is built upon a Triune God who receives the other into self and undertakes a re-adjustment of identity in light of the other’s alterity (p. 110). Christianity promotes personhood and identities that are porous. Such identities are malleable and enriched by differences that others bring. The drama of embrace – described in the same chapter - is a powerful illustration for depicting the process of embrace. Effective embrace involves four stages namely, opening arms, waiting, closing arms and opening arms again. The drama of embrace is best seen on the Cross when Jesus welcomed sinful humanity into his kingdom.
Part two which consists of three chapters revisits some of the challenges that have the potential to undermine the effectiveness of the theology of embrace. Furthermore, Volf proffers theological solutions for dealing with these challenges. In Chapter 5, the challenge of oppression, and justice based on reason are discussed in detail. Human efforts for justice fall short of satisfying the parties involved. Volf calls for transcended justice based on God’s universal love of all people. Chapter 6 lays bare the challenges of deception and truth-telling in reconciliation processes. Selective amnesia, forgetting, and amplifications lead to different narratives about the same event. Disagreements increase. The narrative of the powerful prevails. Volf argues that embrace precedes truth-telling and forgiving. Chapter 7 deals with violence and peace, presenting Jesus as both judge and messiah who will end all forms of exclusion, violence, and injustices. In the Epilogue, Volf addresses critiques against the first edition of Exclusion and Embrace. He further expands on some concepts and ideas not adequately addressed in previous chapters.
Exclusion and Embrace is pitched in a way that makes it accessible for different categories of readers. Through creatively weaving personal experience, intellectual debates, and theological reflections, Volf’s style appeals to the general public, non-Christians, academics and scholars, and Christian clergy and laity respectively. Exclusion and Embrace is a book I recommend to scholars and students studying religious studies, theology, peace studies, political science, history, anthropology, and psychology. It is a book that politicians, practitioners, chaplains, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) officers, and members of commissions tasked with leading reconciliation efforts must have as it offers step-by-step guidance on cooperation and reconciliation in where there is diversity or in the aftermath of conflict and violence.