The Genesis of Reconciliation: The Reconciliation of Genesis

Abstract

The article begins by explaining the reason for the author's selection of the motif of reconciliation as a key to understanding Genesis in missional terms. She draws attention to the fact that though 'reconciliation' is often linked to mission, in reality the theological connections between mission and reconciliation are not always clearly spelt out. Additionally Robert Schreiter's seminal work on the subject has largely ignored the Old Testament.The article then identifies the key episodes in Genesis where reconciliation is explored, that between Jacob and Esau and that between Joseph and his brothers. She draws attention to the way that these two scenes are in effect the climax of a motif which has run through the entire book, the relationship between 'pairs', and particularly between brothers. The article suggests that the theme of reconciliation as it is explored in Genesis offers a significant challenge to a too ready focus on particularity.This contribution to the BISAM project in missiological reading of the Bible explores the Book of Genesis from the standpoint of the theme of reconciliation, a motif which has become increasingly significant in missiological reflection during the last twenty years. The 2005 CWME gathering in Athens, with its motto, 'Come Holy Spirit heal and reconcile', was a visible statement that a thirst for reconciliation lies at the heart of our mission thinking today.It is appropriate to begin by setting the context out of which I write. Currently I work part of my time as theological consultant for a Church of England mission agency, USPG

Exploring a retrospective narrative in Genesis 45:1–15

“…Obviously, Genesis 45 is a continuation of Genesis 44; it has a direct affinity with the immediate preceding chapter. Logically speaking, the episode of Genesis 45 could not have been tenable if not for Judah's persuasive pathos of eloquence (Joosten 2016:21-23) in Chapter 44, which brought Joseph's sudden 1.See inter alia (Amos 2006;Heffelfinger 2016;Krusschwitz 2012;Lambe 1999;Lindvall 2013;Mandlfo 2004).…”