Reparations and Reconciliation

This book begins with an apology. Any book about reparations, reparatory theologies and reparatory justice must recognise and apologise for the legacies of slavery. Reparations and Reconciliation is part of a wider conversation and movement that explores theology and reparations. The volume discusses the decolonial commitment of the Council for World Mission (CWM), looks at how the intentionality of its mission theology has discontinued the mission understanding and practice of the London Missionary Society and considers what, if any, unconscious habits may be continuing as legacies. The volume draws on the legacies of slavery work pioneered by Peter Cruchley’s radical theological commitment to deconstructing whiteness and addressing the legacies of Christian colonialism. It also builds on an earlier Council for World Mission research project Deconstructing Whiteness, Empire and Mission (2023) led by Anthony Reddie and Carol Troupe.

Reparations and Reconciliation is an important attempt to help ecclesial communities to engage in more constructive conversations on reparations. It addresses this by drawing on voices from across the globe, with contributors from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Britain, Jamaica, Guyana, Brazil and the USA. These scholars and activists bring together multiple intersecting insights to what is an ongoing conversation.