The subtitle “A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation is an almost perfect description of this book. The author a Croatian Theologian who is a professor at Yale University Divinity School has certainly provided us with something thoroughly theological and he diligently explores what it means to be a person amongst persons, especially in the context of differences of race, culture and religion and how these, with all their differences can dwell together. There is a distinctly political element to this book as it examines reconciliation between nations and tribes. Volk looks at the opinions of an astonishing array of authors as they approach these matters from both modern and postmodern viewpoints and all the while he is seeking to expose both the strong and weak points in their arguments. All this he does in the light of what he believes to be the overall testimony of God revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This is not light weight, but for those willing to undertake a slow, concentrated and open minded reading of its chapters it will be a tremendous contribution to the widening of their understanding of justice and love as it is in God, should be in the church and amongst the peoples of the world. Everything points to that New Creation where a new human community will be formed by God because of the work of Christ and His cross, when everything just shall have been accomplished and memory of wrongs removed. The hope for the world does not lie in the answers offered by post modernism or modernism, come to that, but in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do we live in the midst of enemies, when nation rises against nation and tribe against tribe, when our hearts cry out for justice for the alienated and oppressed and we are conscious of our own inability to perceive aright, afflicted as we are with the tendency to deceive both ourselves and others when the pressure is on. For us, as for all, there is sure and certain hope in God! Volf’s writings are enriching, not only because of his Christian views and his brilliant intellect, but also because of his Balkan background. He is cosmopolitan, someone who has historical, international and Christian perspectives.
