Introduction, pages 22-31

The Cross at the Center

In this section, Volf states clearly that the cross, and the theology of self-donation, will be at the center of his work. It is in the work of the cross and the Crucified One that we can begin to understand how to approach the other, and how to begin true reconciliation.

Volf notes that the theology of the cross has often focused on God's identifying with the victim; with those who are weak, hurt, marginalized, and suffering. While this is, of course, true, Volf wants to redirect our attention to the other audience implied. If there are victims, there are victimizers; if there are those who are powerless and marginalized, then there are those who are powerful and are at the center of all the action. As Christians, we must affirm that God came in the person of Jesus Christ for all people, victim and victimizer alike. "As God does not abandon the godless to their evil but give the divine self for them in order to receive them into divine communion through atonement, so also should we--whoever our enemies and whoever we may be."

This reminder that the promise of atonement is for all people is a needed corrective. We are to practice Christ-like self-donation in order to bring about reconciliation and change.

The Scandal and the Promise

Of course, the theology of the cross and of divine self-donation is scandolous. As Volf points out in this section, this theology has been abused to subjugate women and minorities, calling on them to give of themselves without an equal requirement to give in return. This, though, is intrinsic in the scandal of self-donation. Christ came to give all, and the response of the disciples as well as the religious leaders showed clearly that there was no enforcing the requirement that they give all in return. Because Christ has given all, hoping for all in return but not having that hope granted, we have a true image of what our own self-donation can mean.

It is when we abandon our hopes that "reason" and "control" and "progress" will bring about healing in the world and lead us all into civilized relationships, that we can realize the truer hope that is offered in the cross and our Divine example. Then, "a new hope in self-giving love can be born," and true reconciliation may be found.

Themes and Steps

Here, Volf sets out the structure for the body of the book; what he is going to say and how he is going to say it. He begins with an exploration of welcoming, which he calls "embrace," and how we are to enter into this spirit as Christians in the 21st century. At the same time, he recognizes that blind acceptance of the other can never lead to true reconciliation, so an aspect of embrace must include truth-telling and justice-seeking. This he explores further in his work on exclusion, and what it means to embrace fully without embracing completely.

Now we are ready to begin reading Part One, which I will review shortly.