Barton Books — Published Titles

This book calls readers to active peacemaking. Drawing on the experiences of participants in reconciliation processes in South Africa and Northern Ireland, Dr Heather Thomson examines the difficult paths of justice and forgiveness in these troubled lands and their broader contribution to conflict resolution. She blends insights from psychologists, moral philosophers, lawyers, theologians and victims to show how peace can proceed from violent bloodshed. The Things that Make for Peace highlights spiritual paths to peace and strategies for raising children equipped to build a more peaceful world. In this ground-breaking work, Dr Thomson shows why peacemaking demands integrity between the outer works of political activism and the inner work of maturing spiritually.
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“Heather Thomson dares her readers to embrace the venture of peacemaking by offering a vision of reconciliation underpinned by restorative rather than punitive justice. With great sensitivity, honesty and understanding she draws on the insights of post-apartheid South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to reveal the full cost of the things that make for peace. A wonderfully written book and compulsory reading for anyone daring to give peace a chance”.
Reverend Dr Ockert Meyer, former Cape Town parish minister
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Dr Heather Thomson works at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra. She is Lecturer in Theology at the School of Theology, Charles Sturt University and a member of its Public and Contextual Theology Strategic Research Centre. She visited South Africa, Edinburgh and Northern Ireland as part of her research for this volume. The author of many published essays and scholarly articles, this is her first book.

Download invitation to the booklaunch (and an order form) to be held in Canberra on Monday 27 July. Location: St Mark's National Theological Centre, 15 Blackall Street. Off -street parking available.