The purpose of this study paper is to state more fully the Christian basis for the "costly lessons" affirmed in the resolution (now in Appendix A) and for the directions signaled in its title, "to repent, to restore, to rebuild and to reconcile." In practical terms, repentance can simply mean changing the direction of our policy, but it means here changing assumptions about how international relations are done. Similarly, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group (Baker?Hamilton Commission) speaks frequently of the need for "national reconciliation" in Iraq, building on dialogue, equitable sharing of oil and other resources, and even?controversial "amnesty" for …