Church History: Ecumenical Relations / Ecumenism

The theology of communion, or Koinonia, has been at the centre of the ecumenical movement for more than thirty years. It is central to the self-understanding of the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and has been prominent in the work of the World Council of Churches. This book, based on the 1996 Hulsean Lectures, examines the significance of Koinonia for contemporary ecumenical theology, tracing the development of contemporary understanding in critical engagement with the thoughts of Plato, Aristotle, the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, the Cappadocian Fathers and Augustine. In each case, reflection on community life is related to actual communities in which texts were produced. The importance of conflict and the place of politics for the Koinonia that constitutes the Christian churches is a major theme throughout. Communion is seen as a gift to be received and a discipline to be cultivated in the continuing practice of ecumenism.

The theology of the Eucharist has long been the subject of heated debate, particularly since the Reformation. George Hunsinger's book explores ways in which Christians might resolve their differences in this area. with the aim of fostering ecumenical convergence, he tackles three key issues dividing the churches about the Eucharist: real presence, Eucharistic sacrifice, and ordained ministry. Hunsinger, a Protestant theologian in the Reformed tradition, brings Eastern Orthodox views more systematically into the discussion than has been common in the West. He also discusses the social significance of the Eucharist. His detailed conclusion summarizes and clarifies the argument as a whole with an eye to explaining how the views proposed in the book could lead the churches, beginning with the Reformed church, closer to the day when obstacles to Eucharistic sharing are overcome. George Hunsinger has been chosen as the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth Prize by the jury of the Union of Evangelical Churches in the Evangelical Church in Germany.

The Second Vatican Council declared the restoration of unity among Christians to be one of its principal concerns. Division among the Churches scandalises the world and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of The Gospel to every creature. A key figure to have worked tirelessly at these aims is Cardinal Walter Kasper, one of the most experienced, authoritative, and respected members of the Vatican hierarchy. Here Cardinal Kasper summarises the results of the Catholic Church's official dialogues with Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican and Methodist Churches over forty years, sets out a blueprint for 'consensus and convergence', and sets out a map for the way forward for ecumenism. From such a source, this document is therefore of crucial importance. The book focuses on the major issues in ecumenical dialogue - Jesus Christ, The Holy Trinity, Justification, The Church and The Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. Cardinal Kasper explains the key issues at stake and offers signposts for the way forward so that the wish of Jesus may be fulfilled: That They May All Be One.

"There is today a dramatic reexamination of structure, authority, dogma - indeed, every aspect of the life of the Church is held up to scrutiny. Welcoming this as a sign of vitality, Avery Dulles has carefully studied the writings of contemporary Protestant and Catholic ecclesiologists and sifted out six major approaches, or "models," through which the Church's character can be understood: as Institution, Mystical Communion, Sacrament, Herald, Servant, and, in a recent addition to the book, as Community of Disciples. A balanced theology, he concludes, must incorporate the major affirmations of each. "The method of models or types," observes Cardinal Dulles, "can have great value in helping people to get beyond the limitations of their own particular outlook and to enter into fruitful conversation with others...Such conversation is obviously essential if ecumenism is to get beyond its present impasses."" "This new edition includes a new Appendix and Preface by the author."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

For decades students, professors, clergy, and general readers have relied on The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha as an unparalleled authority on the Apocrypha. This fifth edition remains the best way to study and understand the material at home or in the classroom. This thoroughly revised and substantially updated edition contains the best scholarship informed by recent discoveries and anchored in the solid Study Bible tradition.· Introductions and extensive annotations for each book by acknowledged experts in the field provide context and guidance.· Introductory essay on the Apocrypha gives readers an overview that guides more intensive study.· Maps and diagrams within the text contextualize where events took place and how to understand them.· A timeline, calendar, and essay on the Persian and Hellenistic Periods help to contextualize the books.A volume that users will want to keep for continued reference, The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha continues the Oxford University Press tradition of providing excellence in scholarship for the general reader. Generations of users attest to its status as the best one-volume Bible reference tool for any home, library, or classroom.

Cardinal Kasper is a distinguished theologian who was a colleague of Cardinal Ratzinger, Karl Rahner, and Hans Kung at The Universities of Munster and Tubingen. Kasper now heads the Vatican's Council for Promoting Christian Unity, with the specific task of fostering relations between the Catholic Church and other Christian Churches and Ecclesial communities. Here he outlines his vision for the unity of Christian Churches. A man with an open mind, Kasper covers one of the major responsibilities of the contemporary Catholic Church. His perspective of the uniqueness of The Catholic Church and its magisterium is presented here as a modern inquiry into the nature of truth. His views are enlightening and engaging, and reflect the important role of dialogue as understood by the Catholic Church, which also listen to other traditions and learn from them. Many will read it in the hope that the thought of this renowned, open-minded Church leader may give hope to people of all traditions that they may learn to understand Jesus's injunction - 'they may be one'.

How has Christian tradition developed its understanding of the problem of salvation for non-Christians? How do the Christian churches appraise the spiritual values of those other religions whose members collectively make up the majority of mankind? Christianity and the Wider Ecumenism explores the growing shift from efforts toward unity within Christianity to broader, more far-reaching attempts at greater harmony among world religions (the "wider ecumenism"). Editor Peter Phan traces the trend back to the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) but notes that, in the last ten years or so, the movement has become pronounced. in addition to Vatican II, the World Council of Churches has established a Dialogue with People of Living Faiths and ideologies. Also, the growing number of courses on campus in comparative religions testifies to the critical importance of interfaith studies and dialogue in our religiously plural world. Despite resistance by some Christians to this new trend, there is a willingness on the part of others to support the "wider ecumenism," even to abandon any claim to Christ's/Christianity's uniqueness, definitiveness, absoluteness, and superiority. They rightly point to the need for faith in God as Absolute Mystery, to Christian praxis in favor of justice and freedom, and to the enormous historical suffering and conflicts, caused by the myth of Christian uniqueness. They add that we live today in a world village in which dialogue with other religionists and societies, as full equals, is imperative, perhaps for our very survival. Not mere contact but active cooperation and mutual understanding is required now more than ever to deal with urgent global issues involving mass poverty and starvation, religious fanaticism, the threat to the environment, and the omnipresent danger of nuclear destruction. These problems are far too important to be left to governments. The essays in this volume are the Product of fifty leading scholars, from across the Christian spectrum, seeking to clarify and to affirm the immense significance of interreligious dialogue for Christianity in our new planetary society.

Between 1993 and 1996 a World Council of Churches study examined the relationship between ecclesiology -- our understanding of what the church is -- and ethics -- what the church does -- in responding to problems and issues facing the world today. Gathered in this single volume are the reports from three consultations (Costly Unity, Costly Commitment and Costly Obedience), along with major papers from the third, which focused on the church as a community in which people are formed morally. This ecumenical enquiry offers fresh insights into critical issues for all who are seeking a renewed vision of the ecumenical movement. Among the themes are: the imperative for ecumenical ethical reflection and engagement; the church as a community in which moral formation takes place -- through its teaching and through its life; the ethical dimension of worship, baptism and eucharist; the relation between koinonia (fellowship) and the quest for justice, peace and the integrity of creation; the churches' relationship to movements and action groups.

What is Ecumenism? Is Christian unity a legitimate hope or just a pious illusion? The aim of this book is to analyze the real obstacles that stand in the path to unity and to propose solutions, where these are possible. Distinguished authors from the main Christian denominations offer a unique insight into the problem of Christian divisions and the relationships between Christian communities. This work is not a politically correct exercise in diplomacy; rather, it informs the reader about the actual state of the ecumenical dialogue.

A broad-based, ecumenical anthology on spirituality that explores the contours and riches of its contemporary expression within the Christian tradition.

It's increasingly common to be invited to a wedding, funeral or other religious service for someone of a different faith. This easy-to-read religious etiquette guidebook helps the well-meaning guest feel comfortable and participate as fully as possible.

What sort of theological education and ministerial formation is needed to prepare Christian leaders who can inspire new life and renew and transform the church? That critical question is being posed today in a context of social and cultural upheavals which have left many historic church institutions with unprecedented doubts and uncertainty. Five fascinating portraits of "theological education" in the Bible by the Indian Jesuit Samuel Rayan are followed by presentations and responses on the areas of ecumenism, tradition, financial support, education of the whole people of God, and renewal.

Employing fresh, innovative readings, Edgardo Colon-Emeric examines and underscores the centrality of the concept of perfection for the theologies of Thomas Aquinas and John Wesley--and finds them, surprisingly, largely complementary. Utilizing the image of a kneeling ecumenism, he offers a practical account of how ecumenical conversations can move forward. At a time when many Methodists struggle to understand Catholicism and many Catholics know little of Wesley and Methodism, this stimulating work provides the church as a whole a communal grammar of holiness, in demonstrating how the theologies of perfection of Aquinas and Wesley have significant messages for both groups.
--Jason E. Vickers, Associate Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies, United Theological Seminary "Journal of Theological Studies"

The historical course of Christianity in the twentieth century has been strongly marked by the Ecumenical Movement and the Liturgical Movement, and often these currents for the recovery of the Church's unity and the renewal of its worship have flowed together. In this book Geoffrey Wainwright draws on his three decades of active participation in both movements to offer a theologically informed account of what has been at stake in them, what their achievements have been, and what tasks remain for them to accomplish.