Washington Theological Consortium

Borschel, Audrey. “An Ecumenical Comparison of Niemoller’s Maundy Thursday Sermon, 1945, and Rahner’s Holy Thursday Homily, 1976.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 44:4 (Fall 2009): 541-562.
A Disciples of Christ minister compares and contrasts the Eucharistic themes of Maundy Thursday sermons of two prominent theologian/ecumenists. Despite the fact that the sermons were authored thirty years apart and in quite different circumstances, she finds commonality in theological themes that transcend denominationalism: the one-time sacrifice of Christ proffering forgiveness and redemption for believers and Christ’s presence in both the elements of the Eucharist and in the gathered community.

Ford, John T. “Immigration Ministry: An Ecumenical Opportunity?” Ecumenical Trends 39:1 (January 2010): 10-14.
The author describes the current plight of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and calls for the U.S. government to “find a just, humane way” to deal with them. He proposes six areas in which churches, working together ecumenically, can minister to immigrants, in light of the gospel command to love the neighbor.

Ford, John T. “‘Papal Infallibility’ in Ecumenical Perspective.” Ecumenical Trends 39:2 (February 2010): 17-21.
Fr. Ford, Professor of Theology at the Catholic University of America, examines ecumenical implications of the Roman Catholic doctrine of the pope’s “exercising that infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer endowed His Church” (First Vatican Council), in dialogue with the Protestant principle of sola scriptura and the history of the interpretation of the doctrine since the Council defined it (distinguishing “maximal,” “moderate,” and “minimal” views) and proposes a basis for ongoing ecumenical dialogue about infallibility.

Gros, Jeffrey. “Ecumenical Challenge in the African American Pentecostal Community.” Ecumenical Trends 38:11 (December 2009): 161-165.
A prominent Roman Catholic professor of ecumenism “summarizes Pentecostal ecumenical involvement, provides some background on the Church of God in Christ, and lays out challenges for those serving Christ’s reconciliation among his followers including African American Pentecostals.” He proposes that the road of spiritual ecumenism and healing of memories will be important approaches for ecumenical advancement together.

Jillions, John A. “Three Orthodox Models of Christian Unity: Traditionalist, Mainstream, Prophetic.” International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church 9:4 (November 2009): 295-311.
The author argues that the Orthodox tradition does not have a single unified approach to ecumenism as its Guidelines document would indicate, but rather three distinct and differing approaches. He describes the “mainstream” approach, derived from Georges Florovsky’s theology, as “respectful dialogue and collaboration” yet still seeking unity by means of “restoration of Christian unity through incorporation of the heterodox into the fullness of the Orthodox Church.” The “traditionalist” approach is characterizes as a return or restoration attitude with the Orthodox tradition believed to be the one true church and the ecumenical movement rejected. The ecumenical contributions of twentieth-century Orthodox theologians Sergius Bulgakov, Nicholas Afanasiev, Anton Kartashev, and Nicholas Zernov are described as providing an alternate, more open basis for a “prophetic” approach to ecumenism for today.

Kasper, Walter. “‘Harvesting the Fruits’ and the Future of Ecumenism.” Origins 39:37 (February 25, 2010): 597-601.
This article is the published version of Cardinal Kasper’s opening address to the “Harvesting the Fruits” symposium, sponsored in Rome in February 2010 with five representatives from each church involved in the “Harvesting the Fruits” study: the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Methodist Council, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Anglican Communion. Cardinal Kasper proposes the development of an “ecumenical catechism” in order to facilitate reception and a more “people-centered ecumenism.” (See also the book entry for Kasper, Walter, Harvesting the Fruits, below.)

Massa, James. “Testing the Reception of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.” Origins 39:31 (January 14, 2010): 508-514.
In an address given on October 29 at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC, the Head of the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs describes the Roman Catholic practice of indulgences and the ELCA decision to allow the ordination of homosexuals in committed monogamous relationships as test cases of the Joint Declaration.

Stamm, Mark W. “What Are We Doing? Thoughts about a Seminary Chapel Program in an Ecumenical Setting.” Worship 84:2 (March 2010), 123-137.
A professor of Christian worship at Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University) presents an analysis of the liturgical challenges and pedagogical functions of chapel practices at a denominational seminary with an ecumenical faculty and student body. He draws upon examples of controversial chapel practices (such as disposition of leftover consecrated elements and cleaning of purificators stained with wine) as well as liturgical innovations (e.g. Bluegrass Eucharist, Hip Hop services of the Word, a baseball thanksgiving service) to illustrate effectively his call for mutual respect and forbearance as the community implements its five-point statement of purpose for chapel worship (p. 122).

Williams, Rowan. “The Ecumenical Glass is Genuinely Half-Full.” Origins 39:27 (December 10, 2009): 444-449.
The Archbishop of Canterbury gave this address on November 19 in Rome at the Gregorian University in which he reviews the agreements reached in Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue and raises questions about “the character of the unfinished business between us,” particularly on the topics of authority in the church, papal primacy, and levels of decision-making in the church on issues such as the ordination of women.

Aguado, Maria Aránzazu. “Transformative Spirituality and Mission: An Ecumenical Project.” International Review of Mission 98:2 (November 2009): 218-231.
This is an overview of the work to date of a 2008-2010 World Council of Churches’ study on spirituality, positioning it as the central new vision of the ecumenical movement and exploring issues and methodologies. “As the Edinburgh World Missionary Conference in 1910 inspired the birth of the modern ecumenical movement, we aim to envision a new ecumenism by bringing transformative spirituality and mission to the heart of the ecumenical movement in the new century” (p. 219).

Benedict XVI. “Anglicanorum Coetibus: Apostolic Constitution on new Structures for Welcoming Former Anglicans into Catholic Church.” Origins 39:24 (November 19, 2009): 387-390; Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “Complementary Norms for the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus.” Origins 39:24 (November 19, 2009): 390-392; Father Ghirlanda, “The Significance of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus.” Origins 39:24 (November 19, 2009): 392-395.
The official text, implementation guidelines, and commentary on the papal invitation to disaffected Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church through the establishment of “personal ordinariates,” provision for Anglican liturgies, and the possibility of married Anglican clergy to be ordained as Catholic priests. Married bishops are explicitly excluded.

“Bilateral Dialogues – Yesterday and Today,” theme issue of Ecumenical Review 61:3 (October 2009).
Updates on the state of the search for full visible unity as of 2009 in various denominational traditions through their various bilateral dialogues.

Evangelicals and Catholics Together. “Do Whatever He Tells You: The Blessed Virgin Mary in Christian Faith and Life: A Statement of Evangelicals and Catholics Together.” First Things 197 (November 2009): 49-58.
The seventh joint statement of this unofficial dialogue group affirms Mary as the virgin mother of Jesus and theotokos, calls evangelicals to re-claim “a biblically precise, theologically robust love and honor of Mary,” addresses ongoing differences on the Marian doctrines of perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, the bodily assumption, and invocation of Mary, and calls for joint “rediscovery of the Mary of the Bible.”

Gregory, Wilton D. “10 th Anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.” Origins 39:19 (October 15, 2009): 310-312.
This is the homily that Archbishop Gregory preached for the U.S. Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation’s 10 th anniversary commemoration of the Joint Declaration in Chicago on October 1, 2009, in which he recommended that future work together include joint “study of the foundations of moral discernment in our respective traditions,” joint ecumenical projects, and “prayer and more prayer and more prayer.”

Gros, Jeffrey. “Rereading Paul Together.” Ecumenical Trends 38:9 (October 2009): 129-133.
The veteran Roman Catholic ecumenist proposes that a renewal of biblical devotion, a enriched understanding of Paul’s teachings on salvation through the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, and a common faith in biblical teachings on eternal life are ecumenical accomplishments that can lead divided Christians to deeper biblical literacy and mutual respect and advance the ecumenical agenda.

Harmon, Steven R. “Ecumenical Theology and/as Systematic Theology.” Ecumenical Trends 38:9 (October 2009): 134-137.
A Baptist professor at Beeson Divinity School regards ecumenical dialogue results as a form of constructive theology and proposes a deeper integration of ecumenical accords into theological education through systematic theology courses.

Kinnamon, Michael. “Celebrating Our History as a Movement for Unity: 25 th Peter Ainslie Lecture on Christian Unity.” Call to Unity 10 (October 2009): 1-4.
The Executive Director of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA reflects on the centrality of a passion for unity both in the NCCC and in the Disciples of Christ as a “community of distinctive purpose within the church catholic” (p. 3).

North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation. “Response to the Ravenna Document.” Origins 39:23 (November 12, 2009): 379-382.
The North American dialogue group’s response to the 2007 international Orthodox-Catholic statement on conciliarity, identifying key ecclesiological questions still unanswered in regard to the ecclesiology of the local parish, episcopal conferences, and universal primacy.

Radano, John A. “Ecumenical Dialogue in the 21 st Century, Some Steps Forward, and Some Continuing Concerns: A Catholic Perspective.” Ecumenical Trends 38:10 (November, 2009): 145-153.
A rich overview of the accomplishments of the ecumenical movement, highlighting ten achievements since 2000 (such as JDDJ, BEM, the Ravenna text, and the Global Christian Forum). Particularly interesting is his report on the Harvest Project, a forthcoming publication of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity analyzing all the dialogue reports between Roman Catholics and Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Anglican Communion on the topics of fundamentals of faith, salvation, the Church, and sacraments, in order to discover common ground and determine future directions.

Thomas, John H. “Polar Star or Shooting Star: Ecumenism’s Challenge Today: Tenth Joe A. and Nancy Vaughn Stalcup Lecture on Christian Unity.” Call to Unity 10 (October 2009): 19-24.
The General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ warns compellingly of the dangers of an ecumenism based on shared friendship, which he compares to a shooting star, and reminds us that the polar star of unity is Christ’s designation of all Christians as friends in Christ, friends not chosen, but given.

“Celebrating the Memory, Fr. Alexander Schmemann 1921-1983,” theme issue of St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly 53, nos. 2-3 (2009). From two international conferences on the legacy of the great Orthodox liturgical theologian, four of the papers have a particularly ecumenical perspective:

Creemers, Jelle. “Time will Teach us…Reflections on Thirty-Five Years of Pentecostal-Roman Catholic Dialogue.” Ecclesiology 5 (2009): 322-344.
Summarizes the history of the five phases of the dialogue to date, with a focus on the choices made in each phase, and asserts that progress can and will be made when the path of theological ecumenical dialogue follows spiritual ecumenism.

“One Church of Christ for the Sake of the World,” papers from the 2008 North American Academy of Ecumenists meeting. Journal of Ecumenical Studies 44, no. 3 (Summer 2009): 333-382.

Snell, Patricia, Christian Smith, Carlos Taveres, and Kari Christoffersen. “Denominational Differences in Congregation Youth Ministry Programs and Evidence of Systematic Non-Response Biases.” Review of Religious Research 51 no. 1 (September 2009): 21-38.
Four Notre Dame researchers investigated the youth ministry programs of all congregations in a particular urban area in Indiana by surveying 272 parishes and interviewing 42 youth ministers to identify differences in how youth groups are conducted. How and whether Bible study was provided was the most significant denominational difference found.

Young, Norman. “The Scope of Salvation: A Wesleyan Reflection Prompted by the Joint Declaration on Justification.” One in Christ 43 no. 1 (Summer 2009): 122-133.
The author, a twenty-year veteran of the Roman Catholic-Methodist dialogue team, analyses the Methodist rejection of predestination in light of the JDDJ and proposes a reworded theological formula that he believes might be acceptable to all: “without the church there is no salvation.”

Alfeyev, Hilarion. “The Orthodox Understanding of Primacy and Catholicity.” Sobornost 31:1 (2009): 6-17.
This is the Orthodox paper on primacy presented at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary’s Fellowship Conference by the Head of the Department of External Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church and Archbishop of Volokolamsk. It analyzes the Orthodox history and theology of the primacy of the bishop, contrasts it to Roman Catholic usage, challenges the concept of infallibility, and proposes a framework for acknowledgement of a “primacy of honour” of the Bishop of Rome by Orthodoxy. This acknowledgement would necessarily be predicated upon resolution of intra-Orthodox disagreements on primacy and upon the “restoration of the unity of faith, the unity of the dogmatic tradition of the ancient undivided Church.”

“A Bibliography of Interchurch and Interconfessional Theological Dialogues, Twenty-Fourth Supplement, 2009.” Bulletin, Centro Pro Unione No. 75 (Spring 2009): 25-41.
This is the 24 th installment of a comprehensive bibliography of international and national bilateral and multilateral dialogues, coded by confessional families, churches and councils. Each section includes information about the dialogues, texts and papers of the dialogues, and reflections and reactions.

Bordeianu, Radu. “Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue: Retrieving Eucharistic Ecclesiology.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 44:2 (Spring 2009): 239-265.
The author, a Greek Orthodox theologian from Duquesne University , analyzes the various ecclesiological and ecumenical perspectives of Nicolas Afanassieff, John Zizioulas, and Dumitru Staniloae, seeks to retrieve eucharistic ecclesiology and incorporate it with aspects of communion ecclesiology, and proposes four elements for an integrated communion ecclesiology: “doctrinal unity, episcopal communion, love, and eucharistic/sacramental communion.”

Harmon, Steven R. “Scripture in the Life of the Baptist Churches: Openings for a Differentiated Catholic-Baptist Consensus on Sacred Scripture.” Pro Ecclesia 18:2 (Spring 2009): 187-215.
Describes the function of Scripture in worship, catechesis, and confessions of Baptist churches and engages Vatican documents to identify eight areas of differentiated consensus that reflect convergence in Roman Catholic and Baptist understandings of Scripture.

Kinnamon, Michael. “On Being Hopeful Realists.” Ecumenical Trends 38:7 (July/August 2009): 107-108, 111.
This address of the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches discusses the balance of decision and risk, dialogue and outreach needed in order to accomplish effective ecumenical advocacy work.

Roberson, Ronald G. “The Papacy in Ecumenical Discussion Today.” Origins 39:10 (July 30, 2009): 171-175.
The National Workshop on Christian Unity ( Phoenix , April 2009) paper presented by the Associate Director of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

Schreck, Paul A. “New Maps for the Journey: Metaphoric Process in Ecumenical Theology.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 44:2 (Spring 2009): 159-179.
A Lutheran theologian describes the traditional bilateral dialogue process as an oppositional model and, using Luther and Rahner as examples, proposes in its place a metaphorical process model based on principles of speech-act theory.

Clayton, Paul B., Jr. “Sacramentum Caritatis: On the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church’s Life and Mission : An Anglican Review.” Ecumenical Trends 38:4 (April 2009): 49-56.
An Anglican ecumenist summarizes Pope Benedict XVI’s statement on the Eucharist and offers an Anglican perspective on it, heartily endorsing its central assertion that Christians are transformed by participation in the sacrament, yet also critiquing the tone which he characterizes as a “conservative, almost longing looking back to pre-Vatican II Roman Catholicism” (p. 56).

Clements, Keith. “Barmen and the Ecumenical Movement.” The Ecumenical Review 61:1 (March 2009): 6-16.
The first article in a theme issue on the significance of Barmen for today, in the 75 th anniversary year of the declaration, analyses the differing responses of Life and Work, Faith and Order, and the World Student Movement to the Confessing Church and its declaration in its time.

Johnstone, Carlton . “Understanding the Practice of ‘Church Two-Timing.’” International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church 9 (February 2009): 17-31.
The article explores why some people choose regularly to attend churches of two different denominations. Through a series of interviews with 50 young adults, the author concludes that these folk are generally integrated into the community life and more emotionally engaged with the “primary” church and generally limit their involvement with a “secondary” church to worship attendance. He offers encouragement to churches to provide space for the “two-timer” and to welcome them as long-term guests.

Lincoln, Andrew T. “Communion: Some Pauline Foundations.” Ecclesiology 5:2 (2009): 135-160.
Lincoln analyzes the biblical foundation of the ecumenical language of communion/koinonia, especially in the Pauline epistles. Paul Avis’ editorial calls this article “a challenge to communion ecclesiology.”

Reath, Mary. “Toward a Reformed Ecumenical Movement.” The Living Church 238:21 (May 24, 2009): 12-13.
A member of the U.S. Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue team encourages the search for unity in diversity, challenges the churches to learn from one another and study agreed statements, and calls for a focus on educational ecumenism and ecclesial learning. She calls for the establishment of an “Ecumenical Hall of Fame” and an emphasis on building ecumenical friendships at the local level.

Smit, Peter-Ben. “Traditions in Dialogue: A Comparison of the Concept of Tradition in Old Catholic-Anglican, Orthodox-Anglican and Orthodox-Old Catholic Dialogue.” Ecclesiology 5:2 (2009): 212-236.
In this paper the example of a long-standing ecumenical triangle, Anglican-Orthodox-Old Catholic, will be used to illustrate the benefits of this ‘comparative ecumenical theology’ by studying the concept of Tradition as it has been treated in the Anglican-Orthodox and Old Catholic-Orthodox dialogues” (p. 212).

“Theological Education in Mission ” theme issue. International Review of Mission 98 (April 2009). Relevant articles include:

Wood, Susan. “What Makes the Church One?: A Roman Catholic Perspective. Ecumenical Trends 38:5 (May 2009): 73-79.
“The unity of the church consists in this mutual interpenetration of ecclesial structures which is soteriological, sacramental, and ministerial…A shared profession of faith, celebration of sacraments, and apostolic ministry remain as essential for ecclesial unity now as they did in Bellarmine’s time…” (p. 78).

Blezard, Robert C. “Toward Christian Unity: Study Guide.” The Lutheran 21 (December 2008): 20.
A brief 5-part congregational study guide on ecumenism from a Lutheran perspective. Each session includes an ecumenical topic, a reading assignment and a set of discussion questions.

Davey, Colin. “Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue: The Ravenna Agreed Statement,” Sobornost 30:2 (2008): 7-36.
A close reading and analysis of the 2007 Orthodox-Roman Catholic Ravenna Agreed Statement from the Anglican secretary to the first Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission and the Anglican/Orthodox Joint Doctrinal Discussions, who compares Ravenna’s theological assertions to the statements from those ecumenical dialogues.

DelMonico, Marc J. “Their Message Goes Forth to All the Earth: Towards a Franciscan-Ecumenical Approach to the Ecological Crisis.” Ecumenical Trends 37:10 (November 2008): 147-153, 159.
The author, a Ph.D. student at Catholic University , explains how a Franciscan approach can inform an ecumenical approach to the current ecological crisis and suggests how this perspective can provide a useful response at the “personal-local” and “social-national-global” levels.

Djomhoue, Priscille. “Manifestations of Ecumenism in Africa Today: A Study of the Mainline and Pentecostal Churches in Cameroon.” International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church 8 (November 2008): 355-368.
A description of the Christian church in Cameroon as two types: mainline denominations established by missionary societies (Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian) and Pentecostal churches, and an exploration of ways in which they might deepen their ecumenical efforts in that African context.

Fosarelli, Patricia. “That All May Be One: A Tale of Three Churches.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 43:4 (Fall 2008): 537-544.
This practical article describes specific local ecumenical educational initiatives, joint worship services and cooperative events held between three local parishes (Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian) in downtown Baltimore , Maryland in recent years.

Gros, Jeffrey. “A People on Pilgrimage – In Christ’s Prayer.” Ecumenical Trends 37:11 (December 2008): 161-164, 175.
Brother Gros addresses “three dimensions of ecumenical prayer: 1) spiritual disposition, 2) types of ecumenical prayer, and 3) spiritual exercises serving ecumenical prayer.” This is a very important new contribution to the literature of spiritual ecumenism.

Knieps-Port le Roi, Thomas. “Being One at Home: Interchurch Families as Domestic Church.” One in Christ 42:2 (Winter 2008): 341-359.
This paper, originally presented at the British Association of Interchurch Families 40 th anniversary conference in August 2008, explores the history and theology of the “domestic church” concept and then analyzes the theological and sociological potentialities of considering interchurch families an expression of this concept.

“Local and Universal Ecumenical Dialogue.” Theme issue of Exchange: Journal of Missiological and Ecumenical Research 37:4 (2008).
Most of this issue is devoted to analysis of and response to the 2003 Reformation-Catholic dialogue report from the Netherlands , “Local and Universal Ecumenical Dialogue.” The dialogue involved two Catholic groups (Roman Catholic and Old Catholic) and three Protestant groups (Netherlands Reformed Church, the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) which merged into the Protestant Church in the Netherlands while the dialogue was in progress. The English translation of the text is published here, along with responses from two Roman Catholic theologians, Jeffrey Gros and Peter de Meij, an Old Catholic theologian, Peter-Ben Smit, and two Reformed theologians, Allan Jansen and Henry Wilson.

“Making a Difference Together: Visions of the Ecumenical Future.” Theme issue of The Ecumenical Review 60:3 (July 2008).
Although dated July, this issue of the journal of the World Council of Churches just arrived in December. It is a rich issue with four articles devoted to the question of the future of the ecumenical movement:

National Association of Pastoral Musicians. “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism…One Song.” Pastoral Music 33:2 (December 2008): 64.
A succinct summary of the ecumenical diversity and richness of worship music used in Christian churches today, presented in a one-page format for reproduction as a bulletin insert.

Schlabach, Gerald W. “Catholic and Mennonite: A Journey of Healing.” One in Christ 42:2 (Winter 2008): 318-340.
A self-described “Mennonite Catholic” and director of BridgeFolk describes the vocation of those who live and work in ecumenical ministries using metaphors of bridging, healing, scarring, vision, and dialogue. A must-read for those contemplating long-term service in another tradition.

Tanner, Mary. “Growing Together in Unity and Mission: An Agreed Statement of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission 2007.” One in Christ 42:2 (Winter 2008): 371-381.
This article was originally a presentation made to the Anglican bishops of Lambeth 2008 to summarize, study and receive the 2007 IARCUM agreed statement.

Temmerman, Ray. “Interchurch Families as Domestic Church: More Real than Imperfect? Ecumenism 171 (Fall 2008): 4-13.
The leader of the online Interchurch Families movement explores interchurch marriage as an expression of “domestic church” (ecclesia domestica), drawing upon the classic marks of the Church.

Ecumenism 170 (Summer 2008): 8-27.
This issue includes a series of papers on the Eucharistic theology of various denominations from an ecumenical perspective:

Gros, Jeffrey. “Struggle and Reconciliation: Some Reflections on Ecumenism in Chile.” International Review of Mission 97 (January/April 2008): 50-64.
An excellent overview of twentieth-century Christianity in Chile and 40 years of Catholic-Protestant (usually Pentecostal) ecumenical relations in that country.

Holeton, David R. “Ecumenical Liturgical Consensus: A Bumpy Road to Christian Unity.” Studia Liturgica 38 (2008): 1-16.
The Presidential Address for the 40 th anniversary conference of the Societas Liturgica surveys the twentieth-century developments toward a common lectionary, a common catechumenate, a common Eucharistic ordo, and common liturgical texts, and the challenges to that consensus posed now by the recent Church of England revision of the Lord’s Prayer text and the Roman Catholic changes to liturgical texts proposed by Liturgiam authenticam.

Lancaster, Sarah Heaner. “Baptism and Justification: A Methodist Understanding.” Ecclesiology 4 (2008): 289-307.
In response to the World Methodist Council’s vote to sign on to the Roman Catholic-Lutheran Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, a Methodist theologian explains John Wesley’s teachings on justification and baptism and what those teachings can contribute to ecumenical dialogue: “we honor the meaning of baptism when we seek to express the dynamic work of God for our salvation in all its manifestations” (p. 307).

Neuhaus, Richard John. “Reconciling East and West.” First Things 188 (December 2008): 23-28.
One could consider this article a kind of a “state of the union” overview of the work towards Roman Catholic-Orthodox ecumenical accord, especially the dialogue around papal primacy. Neuhaus’ view is that “the only thing lacking for full communion with the Orthodox is full communion” (p. 27-28).

“Pentecostal Catholic Dialogue with a Methodist Twist!” Ecumenical Trends 37 (2008): 4-11.
Three articles in this issue address the accomplishments, challenges and potential of these ecumenical relations:

Small, Joseph D. “Local Church – Universal Church.” Ecumenical Trends 37 (September 2008): 124-126.
This paper from the 2008 National Workshop on Christian Unity presents a Reformed perspective, in dialogue with Roman Catholic theology, on the ecumenical debates over definitions of church as local-universal and visible-invisible.

Bolognesi, Pietro. “A History of the Relationship of the Evangelical Alliance with the Roman Catholic Church.” Evangelical Review of Theology 32:3 (2008): 210-223.
Reviews and analyzes the history of the dialogue between the Evangelical Alliance and Roman Catholics since Vatican II and challenges the EA to develop a theological approach in order to have a common methodology for dialogue with Rome .

Bouwen, Frans. “The Official Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church: 1973-1992.” One in Christ 42 (Summer 2008): 75-98.

Carter, David. “Catholic-Methodist Dialogue: Promise, Hope and Caution.” One in Christ 42 (Summer 2008): 148-170.
A British Methodist summarizes Methodist reception and caution around the ministry issues of the 2006 Catholic-Methodist document, The Grace Given You in Christ and posits that the Methodist Church might be ready to accept a differentiated consensus around episcopacy.

Daniels, Harold M. “Lutherans and Reformed Living Together in Full Communion: Ten Years.” Call to Worship 42:1 (2008-2009): 1-8.
Describes the history of the American Lutheran-Reformed relationship and concrete ways in which the first decade of full communion has been lived out at the national level, mid-level judicatories, seminaries, and congregations.

Dieter, Theodor. “Luther Research and Ecumenism.” Dialog 47 (Summer 2008): 157-166.
A German Lutheran theologian analyzes the differing methodologies of Luther research and ecumenical dialogue.

Epting, Christopher. “The Nature of the Unity we Seek.” Ecumenical Trends 37 (July/August 2008): 108-109.
The Episcopal Church’s Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations brings the lessons of the church’s 1979 Declaration on Unity to bear on current tensions within the Anglican Communion.

Gros, Jeffrey. “Fifty Years and Running: Oberlin 57, Back and Beyond.” One in Christ 42 (Summer 2008): 171-186.
One of the premier ecumenists of the century summarizes the 50-year history of the National Council of Churches Faith and Order movement in the U.S.A.

Kinnamon, Michael. “Pray Without Ceasing.” Ecumenical Trends 37 (July/August 2008) 97-100.
The new General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA ’s keynote address from the 2008 National Workshop on Christian Unity in which he seeks to bring together Faith and Order and Life and Work concerns into a unified ecumenism grounded in prayer for unity.

Murphy, Gannon. “Reformed Theosis?” Theology Today 65 (2008): 191-212.
A Reformed theologian proposes “a reconsideration and reformulation of the viability of theosis within classical Reformed theology.”

O’Gara, Margaret. “Ecumenical Dialogue: The Next Generation.” Origins 38 (July 31, 2008): 154-163.
A Canadian Roman Catholic theologian’s perspective on the future challenges for ecumenical relations, including the papacy, infallibility, The church’s authority, women’s ordination, ethics, and relations with non-Christian religions.

Ryan, Thomas. “The Evolving Face of Ecumenism.” One in Christ 42 (Summer 2008): 139-147.
A description of monasticism as “ecumenical terrain” as experienced in Focolare, Taize, Syndesmos, L’Arche, and Bose.

Sisto, Walter Nunzio. “The Economic-Immanent Method: Implications of Karl Rahner’s Trinitarian Theology for the Contemporary North American Catholic-Orthodox Ecumenical Movement.” Ecumenical Trends 37 (July/August 2008): 104-107.
A Ph.D. student examines the impasse over the filioque clause between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism and proposes Rahner’s theology of the immanent Trinity as a “bridge theology” that would allow for resolution of this issue.

Smit, Peter-Ben. “The Developing Understanding of Authority and Primacy in Anglican-Roman Catholic-Old Catholic dialogue after the Second Vatican Council.” International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church 8 (August 2008): 11-231.
The author, an Old Catholic priest who teaches at General Seminary (Episcopal), argues that Anglican, Roman Catholic and Old Catholic dialogue has made positive progress to the point of implementing a universal primacy acceptable to all three traditions.

Swarat, Uwe. “The Dialogues Between the European Baptist Federation and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 43 (Summer 2008): 333-350.
A review of the history of dialogue between the churches of the Leuenberg Agreement (1973) with the European Baptist Federation and the developing convergence toward table and pulpit fellowship despite ongoing divergence over baptismal theology.

Tabbernee, William and Beverly Roberts Gaventa. “Interpreting the Scriptures Together: Seeking the Visible Unity of the Church.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 43 (Summer 2008): 295-308.
A proposal for developing a common ecumenical biblical hermeneutic as a foundation for ecumenical dialogue.

Tjorhom, Ola. “An ‘Ecumenical Winter’? Challenges in Contemporary Catholic Ecumenism.” The Heythrop Journal 49 (September 2008): 841-859.
A Roman Catholic ecumenist draws upon Vatican II’s Unitatis redintegratio to identify steps the Roman church might take to “rescue” the ecumenical movement: a sustainable spiritual ecumenism, intermediate steps towards Eucharistic fellowship, and appreciation for ecclesial diversity, leading to opportunities for a new ecumenical strategy of differentiated consensus and the quest for ecumenical reception.

Cadge, Wendy, Laura R. Olson, and Christopher Wildeman. “How Denominational Resources Influence Debate about Homosexuality in Mainline Protestant Congregations.” Sociology of Religion 69 (Summer 2008): 187-207.
The authors conducted telephone interviews with the clergy of 30 congregations ( Evangelical Lutheran Church in America , Presbyterian Church USA and United Methodist) in one northeastern U.S. city to assess how the congregations addressed the issue of homosexuality and what resources were provided by the denominations for congregational study of the issue. Findings indicated that the parishes responses to the issue were influenced by the denomination’s materials and recommended process.

Dieter, Theodor. “Luther Research and Ecumenism.” Dialog 47 (Summer 2008): 157-166.
The article compares and contrasts the aims of Luther research and how that research impacts the consensus sought and differentiations achieved in doctrinal ecumenism.

Fahey, Michael A. “Shifts in Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant Ecclesiology from 1965 to 2006.” Ecclesiology 4 (2008): 134-147.
A Roman Catholic theologian attempts to present a “confessionally comprehensive survey” of shifts in ecclesiology over the past forty years. While a 13-page journal article cannot provide comprehensive coverage, the author offers a helpful summary of areas of consensus (e.g. the doctrine of the Trinity as starting point and the impact of the liturgical renewal movement) and identifies the “unfinished agendas” for ecclesiology (most importantly, integrating the results of ecumenical agreements into denominational ecclesiology).

Hein, David. “Radical Ecumenism: A Teaching Moment for Anglicanism.” Sewanee Theological Review 51 (Pentecost 2008): 314-328.
An Anglican author promotes an ecumenism of receptivity to the other, instead of an ecumenism that seeks formal agreements drawing upon Cardinal Avery Dulles’ recent work on alternative forms of ecumenism, the witness of modern-day Old Order Amish in forgiveness, and the historical example of Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf.

“His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Visits Pope Benedict XVI and the Church of Rome.” SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism 152 (May 31, 2008): 1-4.
This article describes the visit of His Holiness Karekin II to Rome on May 6-9 and gives the texts of Pope Benedict’s welcoming remarks, the response from His Holiness Karekin II, Pope Benedict’s speech in the private audience with the Catholicos, and the speech of His Holiness Karekin II in response, all on the theme of spiritual ecumenism and prayer for unity, seeking together the particular guidance of the Holy Spirit for unity as each tradition celebrates the festival of Pentecost.

Murphy, Gannon. “Reformed Theosis?” Theology Today 65 (2008): 191-212.
In this article, a Reformed theologian finds common ground between the classical Reformed doctrine of “Christ in us” and the Orthodox theological concept of theosis. Drawing upon Reformed theologians Calvin, Kuyper, Watson, Strong, and Berkhof, patristic authors, and Orthodox theologian Timothy Ware, the author proposes a “reformed theosis” grounded in a biblical theology of the word.

Small, Joseph D. “Praying for the Unity of the Church.” Ecumenical Trends 37 (June 2008): 1-5.

The Director of Theology, Worship and Education Ministries of the Presbyterians Church USA exegetes Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 and asserts that “the basic form of prayer for the unity of the church is prayer of confession...we are all complicit in our disunity.”

Toussaint, Loren L. and David R. Williams. “National Survey Results for Protestant, Catholic, and Nonreligious Experiences of Seeking Forgiveness and of Forgiveness of Self, of Others, and by God.” Journal of Psychology & Christianity 27 (Summer 2008): 120-130.
This study of 1,087 Americans correlates attitudes towards forgiveness of others with religious commitment: moderate Protestants and Catholics ranked similarly, and higher in forgiveness, than those with no religious affiliation. Conservative Protestants ranked highest in seeking forgiveness of others. No difference was found between religious Christians and non-religious people in levels of forgiveness of self. Protestants and Catholics reported congruent levels of feeling forgiven by God, and at a higher level than those with no religious affiliation.

Benedict XVI, Pope. “Ecumenical Service.” Origins 37 (May 1, 2008): 751-753.
The text of the pope’s remarks at the ecumenical prayer service held in New York City on April 18 with 250 Christian leaders, including “May the word of God we have heard this evening inflame our hearts with hope on the path to unity.”

Craddock, Fred. “Othering.” Restoration Quarterly 50 (Second Quarter 2008): 121-125.
An ecumenical sermon on the Christian call to be in relationship with people different from ourselves, preached by Craddock at Hazelip School of Theology, Lipscomb University. “Is kindness to be done because we are children of God who are gracious people in circumstances complex amidst people with whom we don’t agree, whom we abhor in all kinds of conditions? Relationships at best are hard and difficult but never so much as to give us any excuse for being other than gracious.”

DeVille, Adam A.J. “Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Primacy: A Plea for a New Common Approach.” Ecumenical Trends 37 (April 2008): 5-7.
A review of the recent difficulties encountered in Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, particularly the inter-Orthodox disagreement over the role and authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and a proposal for establishing a common method and a collaborative bilateral effort to address the issue of the primacy of Constantinople .

Eight Catholic and Protestant Bishops. “Ecumenical Statement on Immigration to the People of Kansas.” Origins 37 (April 10, 2008): 685-686.
Bishops from the Kansas judicatories of the Roman Catholic, United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America , and Episcopal traditions call the people to work for “a humane resolution of the problem of illegal immigration.”

Francis, Leslie J. and Mandy Robbins. “The Relationship Between Denominational Affiliation and Spiritual Health Among Weekly Churchgoing 13- to 15-year-old Adolescents in England and Wales.” Journal of Education and Christian Belief 12:1 (2008): 21-39.
This study of 34,000 Anglican, Roman Catholic, Free Church, Pentecostal, and Jehovah’s Witness teenagers finds differences in spiritual health correlated to denominational identity, in ways congruent with denominational theological stance. Charts analyze the responses by denomination within four categories: personal domain, communal domain, environmental domain, and transcendental domain.

Kasper, Walter. “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Origin and Continuing Inspiration of the Ecumenical Movement.” Centro Pro Unione Semi-Annual Bulletin 73 (Spring 2008): 15-20.
The President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity reflects on the history and legacy of the Week of Prayer and spiritual ecumenism for the 21st century. “The unity of the church is like an icon of the Trinity.”

Nepi, Loredana, comp. “A Bibliography of Interchurch and Interconfessional Theological Dialogues: Twenty-third Supplement – 2008.” Centro Pro Unione Semi-Annual Bulletin 73 (Spring 2008): 21-45.
This is the 23 rd installment of a comprehensive bibliography of international and national bilateral and multilateral dialogues, coded by confessional families, churches and councils. Each section includes information about the dialogues, texts and papers of the dialogues, and reflections and reactions.

Radano, John A. “The Catholic Church, Faith and Order, and BEM.” Centro Pro Unione Semi-Annual Bulletin 73 (Spring 2008): 3-14.
This paper summarizes the Catholic Church’s relationship with the World Council of Churches and the Faith and Order movement, addresses the Catholic Church’s official response to the Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry document of 1982, and summarizes how the convergence achieved in the BEM document will impact future ecumenical relations.

Radano, John A. “The Future of Our Journey: Issues Facing Ecumenism.” Ecumenical Trends 37 (May 2008): 4-10.
This is the published text of the paper on the future of ecumenism that Monsignor Radano presented at the 50 th anniversary NCCC Faith and Order Conference in Oberlin in summer 2007.

Schreck, Paul A. “Under One Christ: Implications of a Roman Catholic Recognition of the Confessio Augustana in C.E. 2017.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 43 (Winter 2008): 90-110.
A Lutheran proposes that the next step for Lutheran-Roman Catholic rapprochement after the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification ought to be a mutual acceptance of the Augsburg Confession as an authentic confession of the catholic faith.

Sheldrake, Philip. “A Spirituality of Reconciliation: Encouragement for Anglicans from a Roman Catholic Perspective.” Journal of Anglican Studies 6 (June 2008): 107-26.
A Roman Catholic professor of theology from the University of Durham, England offers insights on reconciliation and discernment from the Rule of St. Benedict and the Eucharist for the current conflicts in the Anglican Communion. “The Eucharist is the laboratory of reconciliation,” he writes.

Bush, John C. and Jeffrey R. Gros. “Journey in Faith: Forty Years of Reformed-Catholic Dialogue: 1965-2005.” The Ecumenical Review 59:2-3 (2007):293-314.

Clapsis, Emmanuel. “Towards a Mystical and Prophetic Spiritual Life.” The Ecumenical Review 59:2-3 (2007): 189-206.

A Greek Orthodox perspective on the elements of ecumenical spirituality: liturgy, community, tradition, love of God and neighbour, openness to the activity of the Holy Spirit, mysticism, and prophecy.

Davies, Susan E. “Christian Unity in the Face of God.” Ecumenical Trends 37:3 (2008): 33-36.

The author, co-chair of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Faith and Order Commission, reflects on the connections between ecumenism and work for justice.

Del Colle, Ralph. “Mary, the Unwelcome (?) Guest in Catholic/Pentecostal Dialogue.” Pneuma 29 (2007): 214-225.

Kasper, Walter. “The Current State of Ecumenical Dialogue.” Origins 37 (December 20, 2007): 450-454.

An address by the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in which he asserts that “Ecumenism is not an option but a holy obligation,” and analyzes three “fields of ecumenism”: Roman Catholic relations with the Orthodox, Reformation churches, and Pentecostal Christians.

Tavard, George H. “A Theological Exploration of Ecumenical Hospitality.” The Ecumenical Review 59:2-3 (2007): 242-256.

A preeminent Roman Catholic ecumenist uses hospitality as a “paradigm of our relationship with God” and thus with one another, through koinonia ecclesiology, for the sake of unity and reconciliation.

Voss, Klaus Peter. “Source of Renewal or Sign of Stagnation? A Brief Look at the Week of Prayer.” The Ecumenical Review 59:4 (2007): 423-429.

In an issue focused on the 100 th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a member of the international committee reflects on the impact of the Week of Prayer observance on the ecumenical movement and the life of the church.

New Journal Articles of Note on Ecumenism as of January 2008

“Bishops as Ecumenical Leaders,” Catholic Theological Society of America Panel. Ecumenical Trends 36 (December 2007): 166-175.

Skylstad, William S. “Our Common Reconciling Ministry,” 166-169.
Anderson, H. George. “Bishops as Leaders in Ecumenical Dialogue,” 170-172.
Brown, Tod D. “Bishops as Leaders in Ecumenical Dialogue: Reflections on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations,” 173, 175.

In this panel discussion from the Catholic Theological Society of America’s annual convention, Bp. Skylstad presents a Roman Catholic perspective and Bp. Anderson a Lutheran perspective, with response from Bp. Brown, a Roman Catholic.

Christian Orient: A Journal of Eastern Churches for Creative Theological Thinking 28 (December 2007).

This entire issue is dedicated to papers on ecumenism, including articles on an Indian perspective on future church, differing understandings of apostolic succession, and questions on ecumenism raised by modern philosophy.

Crossin, John W. “What Does God Want Us to Do? A Meditation on Discernment.” Ecumenical Trends 36 (November 2007): 145-149.

The executive director of the Washington Theological Consortium elucidates spiritual ecumenism through the elements of spiritual discernment: prayer, humility, reconciliation and healing, spiritual friendships, and obedience.

Ferguson, Thomas. “Apostolicity, Apostolic Succession, and the Historic Episcopate: Reconciliation of Ministries in the Church of North India and Implications for the United Methodist-Episcopal Dialogue.” The Anglican 36 (July 2007): 15-26.

This paper, by the Associate Deputy of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the Episcopal Church, explores potential learnings for current United Methodist-Episcopal dialogue from the Church of North India ’s experience with reconciliation of ministries.

Ford, John T. “Ecumenical Agreements: Material for a Retreat?” Ecumenical Trends 36 (October 2007): 129-133.

The ecumenical movement’s current expert in methodology (see following entry) suggests helpful approaches to the study of ecumenical documents in parish and seminary settings, as well as identifying some specific temptations that threaten effective reception of these documents.

Ford, John T. “Oberlin 2007: The Need for an Expanded Methodology?” Ecumenical Trends 36 (September 2007): 117-120.

Fr. Ford, professor in the School of Religious Studies at Catholic University of America, has used his vast ecumenical experience to develop a methodology for assessing the effectiveness of ecumenical conversation using the categories of “resonance” (agreement despite differing terminology), “dissonance” (disagreement masked by the use of similar terminology), and “nonsonance” (confusion resulting from the dual lacunae of understanding and of communication). This important article furthers Ford’s ecumenical nomenclature by adding a fourth category: “ordinance,” to describe receiving ecumenical agreements and incorporating them into the life of the church.

Journal of Ecumenical Studies 42 (Fall 2007).

This exceptionally useful issue is devoted to papers from the Oberlin II Conference celebrating 50 years of Faith and Order in the U.S. and papers from the 2005 and 2006 North American Academy of Ecumenists conferences. The general theme is “widening the circle of ecumenical conversation.” A veritable ecumenical feast!

Lewis, Dick. “The Dublin Conference: Aspects of Reconciliation.” The Window: The Anglican- Lutheran Society, Issue 84 (December 2007): 1.

The Anglican-Lutheran Society is an international ecumenical society dedicated to furthering relations worldwide between Anglicans and Lutherans. This issue of the journal reports on the biennial conference, held in Dublin in September 2007. This issue also includes Gillian Kingston’s presentation to the conference on “Ireland Today: An Introduction to Irish History and Culture.” The U.S. chapter is the International Lutheran-Episcopal Society , U.S. ; website: http://www.alsocietyusa.org/.

MacDonald, Timothy. “A History of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” Ecumenical Trends 36 (September 2007): 113-116.

Schattauer, Thomas H. “Liturgical Studies: Disciplines, Perspectives, Teaching.” International Journal of Practical Theology 11 (2007): 106-137.

A comprehensive overview of the “landscape” of the liturgical movement: its history, theology, and pastoral aspects in conversation with six key scholars: Paul Bradshaw, Robert Taft, Gordon Lathrop, Geoffrey Wainwright, Mark Searle, and Lawrence Hoffman. The author’s integrative teaching approach, based on liturgy as “communal practice,” could be useful in many denominational contexts.

Root, Michael. “Bishops, Ministry, and the Unity of the Church in Ecumenical Dialogue: Deadlock, Breakthrough, or Both?” Catholic Theological Society of America Proceedings 62 (2007): 19-35.

The premier Lutheran ecumenist analyzes the current state of the question re Roman Catholic non-recognition of Lutheran episcopacy and proposes a “scalar” approach (recognition as “real but imperfect”) as a way forward.