ABSTRACT
In what follows I put forward three interrelated theses. The first is that Christian churches and faith communities have largely left out of account the social dimension of a theology of reconciliation, preferring to concentrate on the personal dimension. 2 This has had two effects. First, it renders the concept of limited use in situations of intergroup conflict or division. Secondly, and more importantly, it denies to the Christian community a vision of creation and salvation, and a description of the mission of the church, which speaks directly to the fragmented state of societies and of the world.
