| INTRODUCTION | | | | good citizen in God's Kingdom whether on Earth or in |
| In the Daily Telegraph Atlas of the World Today, a | | | | Heaven. |
| section captioned: "Nations in Turmoil", indicates that | | | | Forgiveness - "In the scripture, forgiveness occurs |
| we live in a turbulent world. Africa figures prominently | | | | whenever humans who have violated God's will cry |
| in this section as usual in terms of internal | | | | out for and receive His mercy. It is different from |
| disturbances, border disputes and causalities from | | | | mercy itself, which is God's staying His hand of |
| wars.1 In that same Atlas, under foreign aid, Africa is | | | | deserved judgment. Forgiveness begins with the |
| represented as a key recipient of foreign aid among | | | | acknowledge of one's guilt (1 Jn. 1:9) in God's eyes."8 |
| countries of the so-called Third World.2 But | | | | This is the stage where the offender and the |
| regardless of the plight of our people, a good sum of | | | | offended begin to feel comfortable with each other |
| the aid received goes into military expenditure. | | | | because the barrier that existed prior to this time has |
| In addressing the topic at hand, I will take into | | | | been covered (Kaphan), lifted up (nasa), sent away |
| account the following: | | | | (salach), loosed away (apoluo, sent or let off |
| The Biblical definition of Truth and Reconciliation | | | | (aphiemi).9 |
| The Biblical expression of Truth | | | | Without justice, repentance and forgiveness |
| The Non-negotiable pre-requisites of Reconciliation | | | | reconciliation is impossible and those who anticipate it |
| God's initiative in Reconciliation. | | | | may be working in vain. |
| THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF TRUTH AND | | | | RECONCILIATION IS GOD'S INITIATIVE |
| RECONCILIATION: | | | | By initiative, I mean God takes the lead or first step |
| What is Biblical Truth? The Bible is full of definitions, | | | | because it is His desire and purpose. Two passages in |
| descriptions and examples in regard to truth. | | | | both the Old and New Testaments set forth the idea |
| In its various uses the word occurs 113 times in the | | | | of God's initiative in reconciliation. To begin with, we |
| O.T. (Gen. 4 times; Ex. 2.) | | | | note that "Yahweh said to Abram, leave your |
| The number of occurrences of the word in the N.T. is | | | | country, your family and your father's house, for the |
| 108 | | | | land I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I |
| Hence, the word Truth is no mean word in the entire | | | | will bless you and make your name great, and you |
| Bible. | | | | will be a blessing. I will bless you, and whoever |
| Etymologically, the Old Testament word for truth is | | | | courses you, I will curse, and in you all people of the |
| EMETH, translated in the Septuagnt as aletheia with | | | | Earth will be blessed" (Gen. 12:1-3). The New |
| double meanings: (a) Objectively, it means the reality | | | | Testament counterpart is a fulfillment of the Old |
| of an appearance or a clearly demonstrated | | | | Testament passage. It reads: "Because in Christ, God |
| importance of a matter, such as religious truth (Rom. | | | | reconciled the world with Himself, no longer taking |
| 1:25), and particularly, Christian doctrine (Gal. 2:5). (b) | | | | into account their trespasses and entrusting to us the |
| Subjectively, it means truthfulness, sincerity and | | | | message of reconciliation. So we present ourselves |
| integrity of character (Jn. 8:44: 3 Jn. 3) as may be | | | | as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God |
| seen in the following phrases - to speak the truth | | | | Himself makes an appeal to you through us. Let God |
| (Rom. 9; ii Cor, 12:6; Eph. 4:25); and to do the truth | | | | reconcile you; this we ask in the name of Christ" (2 |
| (Jn. 1:6).3 | | | | Cor. 5:19, 20). In both Old Testament and New |
| In keeping with the foregoing definition, "God's truth | | | | Testament passages we observe the following: |
| and faithfulness are to be reflected in his people's | | | | (1) God takes the initiative to reconcile. (2) Man's sin |
| lives. So the King, who represented God as His ruler, | | | | does not determine God from reconciling man to |
| must show faithfulness, be a Champion of Truth and | | | | Himself. (3) The beneficiaries of reconciliation have |
| be ready to expose whatever is unfair or false (Ps. | | | | themselves been entrusted with the ministry of |
| 45:4; Zech. 7:9). He must carefully adhere to God's | | | | reconciliation. This message of reconciliation is given |
| law (Prov.29:14)". According to Christianity, Jesus who | | | | from generation to generation beginning with the |
| is the embodiment of Truth announces to the | | | | book of Genesis in many different ways: |
| Praises, Sadducees and Scribes - "You will know the | | | | Reconciliation is Typologised - the dictionary definition |
| Truth and the Truth will make you free" (Jn. 8:32). | | | | of a type is that it is a class of thing having common |
| What is Reconciliation? | | | | characteristics; person or thing or event serving as |
| Reconciliation and Truth are two bed-fellows. | | | | illustration or symbol or characteristics specimen of a |
| Reconciliation is forever absent wherever truth is | | | | class".10 Two types readily come to mind: |
| lacking or neglected. This word is also a key word | | | | (a) coats of skin made for Adam and Eve before |
| within the vocabulary of the entire Bible. Though its | | | | they were sent out of the Garden (Gen. 3:21). "The |
| use is not as extensive as the word "Truth", yet it | | | | coats of skin were God's provision for restoring |
| demonstrated by the use of four verbs and one | | | | Adam and Eve's fellowship with Himself and imply |
| noun: (a) Kaphar - to cover, make atonement (Lev. | | | | slaying of an animal in order to provide them.11 |
| 6:30, 16:20; Ezek. 45:20); (b) Ratsah - to make self | | | | (b) the other type I would like to mention is the |
| pleasing (1 Sam. 29:4); (c) Apokatallato - to change | | | | brass serpent in Numbers 21:4-9. The story is that in |
| thoroughly from (Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20, 21); (d) | | | | their journey in the wilderness they, as usual |
| Katallasso - to change thoroughly (2 Cor. 5:18, 19); (e) | | | | murmured against God and Moses saying, "wherefore |
| Kattalage - a thorough change (n) (Rom. 11:15; 2 Cor. | | | | have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the |
| 5:18, 19).4 | | | | wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any |
| Therefore, looking at the foregoing analysis of the | | | | water, and our soul loathes and they killed many. The |
| word, one should then conclude that in or order to | | | | people repented and asked Moses to plead to God |
| mediate reconciliation a great deal of covering of | | | | on their behalf. The Lord command Moses to make a |
| wrong and thorough change has to take place in | | | | serpent of brass and set it upon a pole so that |
| both the offender and the offended. Much is involved | | | | whoever looked upon it might be healed. Moses did |
| in order to overcome enmity or take away the | | | | as requested and the people were healed. The brass |
| cause of a quarrel. "We may apologize for the hasty | | | | serpent is a type of Christ's death on the cross. |
| word, we may pay the money due, we may make | | | | Reconciliation is Dramatized - Apart from other |
| what reparation or restitution is appropriate. But in | | | | events; one notable incident where reconciliation is |
| every case the way to reconciliation lies through the | | | | dramatized is in the Lord's Supper. All three Gospels |
| effective grappling with the rot cause of the | | | | record the incident of the Lord's Supper albeit with |
| enmity."5 That is a summary of the biblical definition | | | | slight variations. But the main elements and purpose |
| of the words - Truth and Reconciliation. Without | | | | which is the remission of sins leading to reconciliation |
| truth, reconciliation is impossible. | | | | are preserved in each Gospel. This drama of salvation |
| THE BIBLICAL EXPRESSION OF THE TRUTH | | | | history is again revealed to the Corinthians by Paul |
| This section should preferably be called the practical | | | | who additionally emphasized among other things, the |
| biblical expression of the Truth. God's truth is not to | | | | responsibility of the participant which is - to |
| be construed always as philosophical or ideological. It | | | | remember Christ, examine oneself and proclaim the |
| is practical in many aspects: | | | | death of Christ till He comes (1 Cor. 11:23-34). |
| In regard to God's creation in Gen. 1 and 2: these | | | | Reconciliation is Actualized - Theologically speaking, in |
| two chapters narrate the truth of the creation drama | | | | my opinion; there is a sense in which the typological |
| in two strands - (a) The Cosmological strand gives a | | | | and dramatic aspects of reconciliation are prophetic |
| detailed picture of creation: Creation of earth, light | | | | whereas this third aspect is reconciliation's fulfillment. |
| and probably angles; separation of the upper and | | | | This is the actual crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ |
| lower waters by space; creation of plant life; creation | | | | recorded by a all four Gospels (Mt. 27:27-66; Mr. |
| of the sun, moon and stars; creation of fish and fowl; | | | | 15:21-47; Lk. 23:26-55; Jn. 19:17-42).12 |
| creation of land animals and man; creation was | | | | As far as reconciliation is concerned, God uses types, |
| completed and man rests. In the second strand of | | | | drama and Christ's act on the cross apart from the |
| Creation - the anthropological strand (in Genesis | | | | written word. Reconciliation is God's initiative. |
| Chapter two), we see a summary of God's creative | | | | The remedying of our present predicament should be |
| act. It centers around man (Adam and Eve) and is | | | | the responsibility of all Sierra Leoneans but the |
| complementary, not contradictory to the first. | | | | present democratic government should lead us all in |
| One could learn four truths from this two-fold | | | | this matter. It would be nonsensical to have a people |
| creation story: Creation confirms the truth about | | | | who are willing to work for the development of the |
| Divine ownership ("In the begging God create the | | | | country when the government they have chosen is |
| Heavens and the Earth" - Gen. 1:1). This fact refutes | | | | as it were the champion and architect of all forms of |
| six philosophies - Atheism, Polytheism, Evolution, | | | | corruption. The remedy the government is to give |
| Pantheism, Materialism and Fatalism. 2 - Creation is | | | | should be three-fold: |
| declared good by the Creator six times (Gen. 1:4, 10, | | | | (a) make its organizational structure a type or model |
| 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). 3 - Creation is to be taken care of | | | | of reconciliation |
| by man (Gen. 1:27 - 29; 2:15). 4 - Man violates the | | | | (b) make the day to day running of government |
| truth about divine ownership and human responsibility | | | | ministries a drama of reconciliation |
| (Gen. 3). | | | | (c) make the improved way of life of the people the |
| In regard to reciprocal relationship (Exo. 20:1 - 10). | | | | actualization of reconciliation. |
| Biblical truth is also expressed in regards to reciprocal | | | | CONCLUSION |
| relationships - as it relates to divine right: "Thou shall | | | | In addressing the topic: "What the Bible says about |
| have no other gods before me; Thou shall not make | | | | Truth and Reconciliation. And its application in Sierra |
| unto thee any graven image; Thou shall not take the | | | | Leone." I have taken into account the following: |
| name of The Lord Thy God in Vain; remember the | | | | The Biblical definition of Truth and Reconciliation |
| Sabbath day to keep it holy. The truth of the matter | | | | The Biblical expression of Truth |
| is, God requires no rivals and demands absolute | | | | The Non-negotiable pre-requisites of Reconciliation |
| worship. | | | | and God's initiative in Reconciliation. |
| As it relates to human right: Honour thy father and | | | | God wrote the Scriptures and spoke reconciliation but |
| mother; Thou shall not kill; Thou shall not commit | | | | above all He made the people see it through types, |
| adultery; Thou shall not steal; Thou shall not bear | | | | drama and acts. It is, therefore, the responsibility of |
| false witness; Thou shall not covet. | | | | this government, the church and every citizen not |
| The Biblical expression of Truth in regard to God's | | | | only to writ and talk reconciliation, but to typologize, |
| creation in Gen. 1 and 2, and in regard to reciprocal | | | | dramatize and actualize it in daily deeds so that the |
| relationships having to do with divine and human right | | | | offender and the offended can live harmoniously |
| must never be disregarded or violated. The world, | | | | again and make this country a heaven of rest for all. |
| Africa and Sierra Leone in particular will never be in | | | | Another classical passage that epitomizes |
| peace until we face up squarely to the Truth about | | | | reconciliation is the story of the prodigal son in Luke |
| God's divine right, human right and responsibility. | | | | Chapter 15. The Father initiates reconciliation through |
| THE NON-NEGOTIABLE PRE-REQUISITES OF | | | | love; the Prodigal Son concepts reconciliation through |
| RECONCILIATION | | | | repentance; the servants worked for reconciliation |
| Where the truth about divine right, human right and | | | | through duty. But the elder brother tried to hamper |
| responsibility has been violated time without number, | | | | reconciliation through pessimism and hate. |
| the offender and the offended cannot come to the | | | | 1. Grant, Neil and Al., The Daily Telegraphy Atlas of |
| round table of reconciliation unless the right conditions | | | | the World Today (London: The Daily Telegraph, |
| or pre-requisites are put in place. Otherwise what we | | | | 1978), pp.142/3. |
| get is a parody of reconciliation. Therefore, between | | | | 2. Grant, Neil and Al., The Daily Atlas of the World, |
| Truth and Reconciliation, what should fill that gap are | | | | pp. 78/9. |
| Justice, Repentance, and Forgiveness: | | | | 3. Abbott-Smith, G., A Manual Greek Lexicon of the |
| Justice - This word comes from two Hebrew words: | | | | New Testament (Edinburgh: T and T. Clark Ltd., |
| (a) Tsedeq or Tsedeqah, meaning rightness or | | | | 1986), p. 20. |
| righteousness. It further connotes "that which ought | | | | 4. Young, Robert., Analytical Concordance to the Bible |
| to be so, that which matches up to a sandard".6 The | | | | (London: Lutterwork Press, 1970, pp. |
| second word is mishpat. "The noun mishpat can | | | | 798. |
| describe the whole process of litigation or its end, | | | | 5. Marshall, I. H. (Ed.), New Bible Dictionary (3rd Ed) |
| usually case law, based on past precedents (Ex. | | | | Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1999), p. |
| 21-23). Mishpat is what needs to be done in a given | | | | 1002. |
| situation if people and circumstances are to be | | | | 6. Willmington, H. L., Willmington's Guide to the Bible, |
| restored in conformity with tsedeq or tsedeqah (i.e. | | | | 1984, pp. 1, 4. |
| rightness or righteousness).7 As a lecturer, students | | | | 7. Wright, Christiper J. H., An Eye for An Eye |
| sometimes tempt me to confuse my understanding | | | | (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1983). p. |
| of justice. They would ask me to excuse them from | | | | 134. |
| attending a particular class due to circumstances | | | | 8. Wright, Christiper J. H., An Eye for An Eye |
| beyond their control. But in granting them permission, | | | | (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1983). p. |
| they sometimes expect me to mark them present. | | | | 134. |
| Justice requires one to make right judgment in | | | | 9. Yarbrough, R. W., "Forgiveness and Reconciliation" |
| relation to the standard that has been set. | | | | in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology |
| Repentance - this is the requirement of Justice. In | | | | (Leicester: : Inter-Varsity Press, 2000). p. 498. |
| both the Old and New Testaments, the verbs | | | | 10. Young, Analytical Concordance to the Bible, p. 367. |
| nacham and metanoew mean to change one's mind | | | | 11. Allen, R. E. (Ed.), The Oxford Dictionary of Current |
| or purpose, hence, to repent (Jer. 4:28; 1 Kgs 15:29; | | | | English (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989), p. |
| Lk. 17:3, 4). The noun, metanoia means, an | | | | 816. |
| after-though, change of mind, repentance from sin | | | | 12. Rytrrie, C.C., The Rytrie Study Bible (Chicago: |
| (see 1 Jn. 1:8-10). The offender who humbly submits | | | | Moody Press, 1978), p. 12. |
| to the verdict of justice will repent in tears and be a | | | | |