Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 2002 The Rwandan Ethnic Crisis of the 1990s: An Historical Analysis of the Causes and a Strategy for Forgiveness and Reconciliation From a Seventh-day Adventist Perspective Hesron R. Byilingiro Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Byilingiro, Hesron R., "The Rwandan Ethnic Crisis of the 1990s: An Historical Analysis of the Causes and a Strategy for Forgiveness and Reconciliation From a Seventh-day Adventist Perspective" (2002). Dissertation Projects DMin. 534. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/534 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT THE RWANDAN ETHNIC CRISIS OF THE 1990s: AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES AND A STRATEGY FOR FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION FROM A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PERSPECTIVE by Hesron R. Byilingiro Adviser: Russell L. Staples ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE RWANDAN ETHNIC CRISIS OF THE 1990s: AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES AND A STRATEGY FOR FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION FROM A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PERSPECTIVE Name of researcher: Hesron Rukundo Byilingiro Name & degree of faculty adviser: Russell L. Staples, Ph.D. Date completed: August 2002 Statement of the Task In 1994, the central Africa nation of Rwanda experienced a large-scale genocide in which thousands of people were killed. Many Christians including Adventists participated in these mass killings. It is the task of this study to investigate (1) the historical causes of the genocide, (2) why Seventh-day Adventist Christians participated in the genocide, and (3) propose strategies for forgiveness and reconciliation from an Adventist perspective. Methodology The study is an historical and analytical investigation of the country and people of Rwanda from pre­ colonial to post-independence time. It draws on the personal experience and direct interviews of 94 church leaders and members of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Rwanda. The research has drawn on books and journals from libraries in the United States and overseas. Results The study reveals that prominent among the complex factors that led to the 1944 genocide in Rwanda were first, the promotion of Tutsi superiority over Hutus by some missionaries, colonialists, anthropologists, and historians; and second, that in spite of the phenominal growth of the church in Rwanda or perhaps partly because of it, there was a failure to effectively teach and practice the oneness of human beings in Christ. Conclusion First, in spite of all the good accomplished by church leaders in Rwanda, they failed to effectively teach the doctrine of unconditional love among the people. Second, there is a need for forgiveness and reconciliation among the people of Rwanda, who remain divided in the aftermath of the genocide of 1994. Third, the biblical and theological foundations of forgiveness and reconciliation are explored and developed in practical strategies, appropriate to the circumstances in Rwanda, for breaking down divisions and building a spirit of mutuality and community within the churches and subsequently also in the wider community. The Adventist Church is an instrument of hope for the people of Rwanda. It needs to lead in showing the way to unity through confession, forgiveness, reconciliation and renewal in Christ. The Church should promote this process through literature, public media, and the educational system. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE RWANDAN ETHNIC CRISIS OF THE 1990s: AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES AND A STRATEGY FOR FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION FROM A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PERSPECTIVE A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Hesron R. Byilingiro August 2002 THE RWANDAN ETHNIC CRISIS OF THE 1990S: AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES AND A STRATEGY FOR FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION FROM A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PERSPECTIVE A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Hesron R. Byilingiro APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Adviser Russell L. Staples Vvuis __ _ . ____________ Jercry Moon Dean, SD^TheoToe^Ical Seminary John McVay -\Ju ly <2 3. <3003^ Newton W." Hoilette Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ........................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ......................... 3 Statement of the Task .............................. 4 Justification ..................................... 5 Methodology ....................................... 7 Sources ........................................... 8 Description of the Study .......................... 8 II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE ETHNIC CRISIS IN RWANDA .... 11 Pre-Colonial Period .................................12 Two tribal groups-Hutus and Tutsis ........... 13 Social Structure ............................. 16 Position of the King in Pre-Colonial Rwanda ....18 The Hereditary power of Kingship ............. 20 The Cow as a Symbol of Economic Power ........ 21 Social Structure After 1860 .................. 23 The Colonial Era .................................. 24 Stereotypes by Colonialists .................. 24 Theory of Tutsi Superiority Advocated by Colonialists ............................ 26 Various Proponents of Tutsi Superiority ...... 29 Administrative System During Colonial Era .... 33 Post-Colonial Era to Independence and Beyond ...... 34 The Pre-Independence Situation ............... 34 The Massacre and Dispersion of the 1960s ..... 39 The Tutsis Search for Homeland and Identity ... 42 Conclusion 44 Ill. BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIANITY IN RWANDA 46 Religion and Social Structure in Rwanda Before the Arrival of Missionaries ....................... 47 The Coming of the Roman Catholic Church ........... 49 The First Roman Catholic Missionaries ........ 49 Roman Catholic Missionary Methods ............ 50 Concentration on the Ruling Class ..... .. ..... 51 The Mass Conversions of the 193 0s ............ 58 The Catholic Church Changes sides ............ 59 The Arrival of the Protestant Churches ............ 61 Lutherans, 1907 .............................. 61 Seventh-day Adventists, 1919 ................. 63 Baptists, 1920 .............................. 64 Anglicans, 1922 . ........................... 64 Pentecostals, 1940 ........................... 64 Methodists, 1940s ............................ 65 East Africa Revival ............................... 65 Revival Unites Tribal Groups ................. 67 Chiefs Converted to Protestantism ............ 67 Rivalry Between Catholics and Protestants .... 68 Protestants and the Ethnic Conflict before the Genocide ............................... 69 Seventh-day Adventist Mission ..................... 71 Early Developments in Adventist Mission ........ 74 Adventists and the Ethnic Conflict before the Genocide ........................... 76 Conclusion ........................................ 80 IV CHURCH AND STATE IN THE POST-INDEPENDENCE ERA .......... 82 Churches in Partnership with the Government ....... 84 The Catholic Church: Its Historical Relationship with the State .................. 87 The Church's Influence on Government Policy ... 87 The Church's Involvement in the Genocide ...... 88 The Protestant Churches: Their Historical Relationship with the State .................. 90 IV Initial Non-Partisan Relationship with the State .......................... 90 Following Catholic Church Model ............. 92 Working in Partnership with the Government .... 93 The Adventist Church: Its Relationship with the State ............................... 95 Adventist Church-State Relationships ......... 96 Adventist Work Across Ethnic Lines ........... 98 Conclusion ....................................... 100 V. The RWANDAN CRISIS .................................... 102 The Result of the Ethnic Conflict in 1966s........ 102 Rwandan Exiles in Uganda ................... 104 Attempt to Overthrow the Government ......... 106 Preparation to Kill Tutsis in Rwanda ........ 107 The 1994 Genocide ................................ 110 Suppression of the Media and the Lack of International Involvement .............. 112 Mass Killings ............................... 113 The Churches and Involvement in the genocide . 115 Seventh-day Adventist Church Involvement in the genocide ........................... 116 Conclusion .................................... 119 VI. A THEOLOGICAL AND BIBLICAL BASIS FOR FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION ................... 122 A Biblical Perspective on Forgiveness and Reconciliation .............................. 123 Jesus' Teachings on Forgiveness and Reconciliation .......................... 126 Forgiveness ................................. 127 Love of Enemies ............................. 12 9 Lord's Supper ............................... 130 Jesus' Prayer in John 17 .................... 131 The Cross ................................... 13 3 The Church .................................. 134 Paul's Teaching on Forgiveness and Reconciliation ........................ 136 v Forgiveness