Towards Reconciliation

"Informal in tone and remarkably accessible, this book makes a compelling case that the reconciliatory potential of Christian faith can't be realized without a theory of scapegoating. Masterfully presenting Rene Girard's anthropology as the definitive resource for this effort, Gifford weaves references to film, literature and scripture into a narrative that traces a sure path from toxicity to reconciling relationships. The definitive guide to Girard for 21st century readers." Martha J. Reineke PhD, Professor of Religion, University of Northern Iowa, and President, Colloquium on Violence and Religion "I'm so glad that a wider readership can now join those listeners in Coventry who were lucky enough to hear the original lectures. This book offers a stunningly complete overview of Rene Girard's thought and shows how to begin applying his insights, with so much wisdom and finesse in the interpretations. The range of examples offered is just wonderful: I'd never heard of Croghan man, but what a perfect find ... " James Alison, Catholic Priest and Theologian "From the Irish Peace Process and work in conflicts elsewhere, I know that Rene Girard's work needs to be better understood. With his characteristic eloquence and vigour, Paul Gifford introduces these ideas, but for those who are already familiar he points up the deeper understanding they bring to religion and violence just when we urgently need to halt the descent into mimetic violence. Its timeliness and relevance cannot be doubted." Professor, the Lord Alderdice FRCPsych, Director of the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford "Amid the blame-shifting, the lure of identity politics and the failure of secularised societies to understand either the danger or the redemptive force of religion, Paul Gifford's book offers clarity and hope. Introducing Rene Girard's revolutionary understanding of the connection between violence and the sacred, he shows how this is progressively undermined and finally overthrown in the texts of Western Christianity. A wonderfully lucid exploration of the dark side of human civilisation, this is also a challenge to confront the lure of sacred violence while we have time." Angela Tilby, Canon Emeritus of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford and Canon of Honour of Portsmouth Cathedral