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This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: • This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. • A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. • This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. • The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. • When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CONTEXT ON A THEOLOGY OF RECONCILIATION: CASE STUDIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF DIVINITY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY LEAH ELIZABETH ROBINSON EDINBURGH SCOTLAND 2011 DECLARATION I declare that: a. this thesis has been composed by myself; b. the work is my own; c. the work has not been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification. Signed: Leah E. Robinson ABSTRACT The Influence of Social Context on a Theology of Reconciliation: Case Studies in Northern Ireland. Author: Leah E. Robinson Advisor: Dr. Cecelia Clegg The theology of reconciliation, as it applies to God’s relationship with humanity, has been studied extensively throughout ecclesial history. Currently, theologians are expanding this research to include the “horizontal” element of reconciliation, or the implications of God’s relationship with humanity on human to human relations. This dissertation further examines the development of the horizontal understanding of the theology of reconciliation in the context of two Christian reconciliation communities in Northern Ireland, the Corrymeela and Cornerstone Communities. This is attempted by exploring the use of the concepts most commonly associated with the theology of reconciliation, truth, justice, repentance and forgiveness, as interpreted through past publications of Cornerstone and Corrymeela and in interviews with current members. This study illustrates, through the use of a theology of reconciliation model, how the social context moves one’s theological beliefs between a focus on liberating tendencies (justice and truth) and reconciling tendencies (repentance and forgiveness). The result of this analysis show that within both Communities, throughout the years of the Troubles to now, it has been possible to map a movement between a focus on reconciling and liberating tendencies that correlates to the stability of the social context. Implications for further study include: creating a clearer definition of the theology of reconciliation, exploring the theology of reconciliation within other conflict-ridden areas, and working to establish the theology of reconciliation as existing under the umbrella of traditionally understood local theology. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This work is dedicated to Tim, Kathy, and Cody Robinson and Cecelia Clegg who kindly put up with me during the madness that comes with writing a PhD. To the members of the Corrymeela Community and the Cornerstone Community and the people of Belfast for their unending hospitality and eagerness to contribute to academic works pertaining to the field of reconciliation. To Dominic McDonnell, who taught me the merits of a quiet and calming spirit in the work of reconciliation. To Susie Penman who helped me edit this dissertation and upon whose writing talents and friendship I cannot speak highly enough. And finally, to the memory of Fannie Mae Veazey, James Robinson, David Stevens, Paddy Connolly and Paul McDonnell, who all passed away during my time at Edinburgh and were never able to see the product of their inspiration. I am eternally grateful. TABLE OF CONTENTS MODELS iii DIAGRAMS iv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Research Question 1 Importance of Study 4 Methodology 5 CHAPTER TWO: THE THEOLOGY OF RECONCILIATION Introduction 19 The Biblical Background 20 Ecclesial Developments 26 Current Theological Perspectives on the Theology of Reconciliation 42 A Perspective on the Theology of Reconciliation 54 Conclusion 75 CHAPTER THREE: A HISTORY OF NORTHERN IRELAND Introduction 79 St. Patrick and Early Invasions 80 The Tudors 82 The Ulster Plantation 84 The 1641 Rebellion to The Home Rule Movement 87 The First Era of Troubles: 1919-1923 93 “The Static Society”: 1924-1963 96 The O’Neill Administration: 1963-8 100 The Second Era of Troubles: 1969-1993 106 The Peace Process 125 A Summary of the Historical use of Reconciliation in Northern Ireland 135 Conclusion 144 i CHAPTER FOUR: THE CORRYMEELA COMMUNITY Introduction 148 The Corrymeela Community Corporate History 150 A Corporate Historical and Theological Summary for Corrymeela 175 The Corrymeela Community Today 181 Personal Perspectives From Current Staff and Members 196 Interviewees Historical and Theological Summary 223 CHAPTER FIVE: THE CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY Introduction 230 The Cornerstone Community Corporate History 232 A Corporate Historical and Theological Summary for Cornerstone 247 The Cornerstone Community Today 251 Personal Perspectives From Current Staff and Members 258 Interviewees Historical and Theological Summary 288 CHAPTER SIX: DISCUSSION Introduction 292 How the Social Context has Influenced the Corrrymeela and Cornerstone Communities 293 The Cornerstone Community and the Corrymeela Community: Historical and Theological Connections and Divergences 321 Conclusion 330 CHAPTER SEVEN: CONCLUSION Summary of Previous Chapters 346 Implications of Research 347 Further Study 353 Original Contributions 359 WORKS CITED 360 INTERVIEWS 373 APPENDICES Appendix One: Interview Questions 375 Appendix Two: Research Ethics Declaration 377 ii MODELS Model One: The Place Called Reconciliation by John Paul Lederach 51 Model Two: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation 64 Model Three: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: Views on the TRC by South African Clergy and Politicians 68 Model Four: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: The Kairos Theologians 70 Model Five: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: Black Churches in the United States of America during the Civil Rights Movement 72 Model Six: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: The National Council of Churches in Korea, “Declaration of the Churches of Korea on National Reunification and Peace” 74 Model Seven: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: Ray Davey’s Founding Vision for Corrymeela 294 Model Eight: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: The Corrymeela Community During the Troubles 297 Model Nine: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: Corrymeela During the Peace Process and Beyond 300 Model Ten: The Social Context’s Influence on a Theology of Reconciliation: The Cornerstone Community 313 Model Eleven: Reconciliation as it has Tended to be Portrayed by the Northern Ireland Government 333 iii DIAGRAMS Diagram One: Social Context Levels Within Northern Ireland 65 Diagram Two: The Agreed Upon Theological Themes at Cornerstone 316 Diagram Three: The Debated Future of Cornerstone 318 iv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1 “If ever there was a theological theme that had to be developed in relation to the world in all its agony and hope, this [reconciliation] is that theme.”2 Introduction to the Research Question The interest in Jesus’ death on the cross and what it means for humanity is as old as Christianity itself. From the beginning, those who have called themselves Christian have contemplated the idea of the atonement and what it means for humanity’s relationship with God. The theology of reconciliation has been analysed by some of the greatest scholars of the past generations. Post World War II, however, the focus on the theology of reconciliation began to shift from a heavily doctrinal view to one that concentrated more on the social realm of Christian life. With the emergence of various intra-national conflicts throughout the world such as Israel-Palestine, South Africa and Northern Ireland, it became clear that theology could no longer reside within the safe walls of academia. Christianity needed to find its position amidst the turmoil and secure a place in communities in conflict. Like many branches within theology that began to emerge during this time, such as Liberation Theology, literature concerning the social aspect of the theology of reconciliation began to develop in countries that were suffering from conflictual states. South Africa is one example of this development. Theologians in this context took elements from the theology of reconciliation and, in a practical form, established the country’s Truth and Reconciliation 1 All biblical references are from the New Revised Standard Version: Anglicized Edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press), 1995. 2 John W. De Gruchy, Reconciliation: Restoring Justice (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002), 28. 1 Commission. This, along with the African concept of Ubuntu theology, which emphasises the importance of the interconnectedness of humankind, led to the development of a social theology of reconciliation that has been analysed