Reconciliation, justice, spirituality : in conversation with John W. De Gruchy

Thesis (MDiv)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary concern of this study is to gain a better understanding of the interplay between the notions of reconciliation, justice, and Christian spirituality in the work of John W. de Gruchy in order to strengthen the profile of Christian spirituality. Through close readings of de Gruchy’s works on reconciliation and justice, as well as his own reflections on Christian spirituality, this study seeks to observe the nature and content of Christian spirituality as it pertains to justice and reconciliation. This study furthers the understanding of the contribution of Christian spirituality to the practice of reconciliation and as witness of public theology. It reveals the relational character of Christian spirituality, showing its value for engagement in practices of reconciliation and justice. These core concepts are found to be inherent in the covenantal relationship between God and humankind. Consequently, reconciliation is depicted as restoration; the contours of justice and right relationship in the transcendental, Platonist choice for truth, beauty and goodness serve to encapsulate these observations in de Gruchy’s work. Spirituality, reconciliation and justice are found to interrelate particularly in the sense that all are a means to an end, and ends in themselves.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die wisselwerking tussen die opvattings van versoening, geregtigheid en Christelike spiritualiteit in die werk van John W. de Gruchy met die oog op ‘n versterking van die profiel van Christelike spiritualiteit. Deur ‘n noukeurige lees van de Gruchy se werke oor versoening en geregtigheid en sy eie refleksies van Christelike spiritualiteit, poog hierdie studie om die aard en inhoud van Christelike spiritualiteit te bestudeer in sover as wat dit betrekking het op geregtigheid en versoening. Hierdie studie bevorder die begrip van Christelike spiritualiteit se bydrae tot die beoefening van versoening en dus die getuienis daarvan as publieke teologie. Die verhouding-gedrewe karakter van Christelike spiritualiteit word beklemtoon deurdat die waarde daarvan vir betrokkenheid in praktyke van versoening en geregtigheid duidelik word. Hierdie konsepte staan sentraal tot die verbondsverhouding tussen God en die mensdom. Gevolglik word versoening as herstel uitgebeeld; die kontoere van geregtigheid en regte verhoudinge in die transendentale, Platonistiese keuse vir die waarheid, skoonheid en goedheid omsluit hierdie waarnemings in de Gruchy se werk. Spiritualiteit, versoening en geregtigheid het veral ʼn onderlinge verband aangesien elkeen nie bloot ʼn middel tot ʼn doel is nie, maar ook self ‘n einddoel is