A Western Theology Of Reconciliation

Sin estranges and alienates people from God and each other, but God reconciles the world to himself through Christ. Christians celebrate their reconciliation to God in Christ by means of baptism and the Eucharist. Yet, admission of guilt and genuine sorrow for sin, as made evident in fasting, almsgiving, and other acts, are part of the way the church deals with sin after baptism. Paul and the Theology of Reconciliation in Christ The message of Jesus is a message of reconciliation. His words, his actions, in fact his whole life, death, and resurrection are concerned with reestablishing a loving relationship between God and the individual; between individuals as brothers and sisters to one another; and between humankind and the world God created. Reconciliation forms an integral part of gospel living. Reconciliation can be understood simply from its secular usage as a coming back together, a restoration of harmony after some separation or alienation (e. g. , Acts 7:26; Moses trys to…