Ecumenism: A Guide for the Perplexed

by Nelson, R. David; Raith II, Charles

• ISBN13: 9780567573469
• ISBN10: 056757346X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2017-07-13
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T&T Clark

Summary

Ecumenism: A Guide for the Perplexed is a comprehensive introduction to the methods, achievements, and future prospects of the modern ecumenical movement. The authors begin the volume by charting out a serviceable definition of ecumenism, a term that has long been a source of confusion for students of theology and church history. They review the chronology of the modern ecumenical movement and highlight the major events, figures, accomplishments, and impasses. This historical survey is followed by critical examinations of three significant challenges for contemporary ecumenical theology and practice. Along the way, the authors provide commentary upon the difficulties and prospects that the ecumenical movement might anticipate as it enters this new millennium.

Author Biography

Charles Raith II, Ph.D., Ave Maria University, teaches in the Honors College at Baylor University. His dissertation, titled Aquinas and Calvin on Romans: Theological Exegesis and Ecumenical Theology, explores Aquinas's and Calvin's interpretation of Romans through a comparative analysis of their Romans commentaries. Among other places, Raith's work has appeared in the International Journal of Systematic Theology and the Journal of Theological Interpretation.

Table of Contents

Introduction: What is Ecumenism? / Part I: Answering the Edinburgh Imperative: A Brief History of the First Century of the Modern Ecumenical Movement / 2. Faith and Order, Life and Work: Early Trajectories of the Ecumenical Impulse / 3. The Great Decade: Ecumenical Advances during the 1960s / 4. The Flowering of the Multilateral Dialogues / 5. The Evangelical-Catholic Trajectory / 6. An Ecumenical Winter / Part II: Challenges for Conemporary Ecumenical Theology and Practice / 7. Ecumenism to what End? Models of Ecumenical Convergence / 8. The Debate over Basic Differences / 9. The Problem of Reception / 10. Criticisms of Modern Ecumenism / 11. Epilogue: Towards a Fruitful Ecumenical Future