Thoughts on 'The End of Memory'

Our memory is funny thing. Why do we remember events in a certain way and does this memory do the events justice or injustice. Miroslav Volf tackles this subject in The End of Memory, a semi-biographical look at how to remember rightly.

We all have had wrongs committed against us. Whether these have been wrongs of the physical, emotional or countless ways people wrong each other. What we do with these wrongs will determine how healthy we live. Not that all wrongs are the same, but how does one integrate these wrongs to our larger story or identity. If these wrongs make or define our story will evidently have a negative effect on our lives.

One question do all our experiences or memory needed to be integrated into our life as being meaningful. Volf states that this is clearly an axiom during the 20th & 21st century, but is this possible. He goes on to state that not all experiences can be successfully integrated into having profound meaning and that we need to consciously forget events.

My thought was how often do we remember events dishonestly or unjustly. What I mean by that is do we demonize the other person's action and remember our actions innocently?

Volf's ideas are still floating around, but he does put forth a systematic and broad proposal of how to remember. In closing Volf attempts to integrate all our memory to the after life and how we will be reconciled to everyone. What role will our memory play in those mysterious and hopeful days.

It is refreshing to read as Volf attempts to struggle with this profound question and look to any and all discussion of the question in a distinctly christian manner.