Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book outlines the interpretive framework that uses to examine the role religion played in the South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). It provides a brief history of this approach to international conflict resolution. The book provides a brief historical overview of the relationship between apartheid and Christianity in South Africa and demonstrates the role Christianity played in both perpetuating apartheid and challenging it. It talks about the highly contested topic of reconciliation and the role Christianity played in defining the various concepts of reconciliation that operated during life of the TRC. The Christian influence in the TRC helped shape the post-conflict reconstruction stage of South Africa's transition through an emphasis on truth-telling and reconciliation, despite certain limitations when it came to generating justice.