Emmanuel Foro

Reconciliatory Aesthetic & Doctrinal View of Rwanda 1994 Emmanuel Foro

In 1994, about 800000 Tutsi were killed in Rwanda and many other citizens met with their violent death in exile. Considering that the country was for 80% Christian, the question of 'radical evil' is concomitantly raised. How can we give a theological account of genocide in a Christian country? We know the litany of such atrocities across time and space in the world but the mystery remains unexplained. The Scriptures offer believers a frame of interpretation of History. Therefore 2 Cor 5:19, declaring Christ as the 'locus' of God's reconciling act can serve as foundation for a true aesthetic analysis of this 'negative social experience'. The pragmatic and aesthetic method identifies and elects true beauty with sure wisdom calling for the 'sacrifice of truth-making' - and eventually 'doing likewise,' that is forgiving - as if from a new right 'feeling-for-life'. Artists may see areas of practical relevance of their work. Friends of Rwanda, missionaries and peace-lovers may discover new perspectives in this study.