Key Reference Works for the Study of Ecumenism
New Ecumenical Texts as of November 30, 2011
Almen, Lowell G. and Richard J. Sklba, eds. The Hope of Eternal Life: Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue XI: Common Statement of the Eleventh Round of the U.S. Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue. Minneapolis: Lutheran University Press, 2011.
The final report of the most recent round of U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue traces the biblical and historical issues on theological topics around the afterlife, and identifies common affirmations, distinctive teachings, convergences, and challenges on death and intermediate states, judgment, heaven and hell, purgation, prayer for the dead, and indulgences.
Disciples of Christ-Roman Catholic International Commission for Dialogue. “The Presence of Christ in the Church, with Special Reference to the Eucharist: Fourth Agreed Statement of the Disciples of Christ-Roman Catholic International Commission for Dialogue, 2003-2009.” Call to Unity Issue 12 (October 2011): 58-74.
The report reiterates the two traditions’ shared commitment to unity, describes Christ’s presence through the world, the church, and the sacraments, finds convergence and differing emphases in Eucharistic theology around real presence and sacrifice, and describes disagreements around episcope and how the ordained represent Christ.
International Ecumenical Peace Convocation. “Glory to God and Peace on Earth: The Message of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, May 2011.” Call to Unity Issue 12 (October 2011): 44-46.
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. “Christian Understanding of War in an age of Terror(ism): A Vision and Study Paper.” Call to Unity Issue 12 (October 2011): 47-57.
World Council of Churches, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the World Evangelical Alliance. “Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct.” The Ecumenical Review 63:3 (October 2011): 347-352.
The culmination of a five-year study process, this statement is intended to provide a practical model for churches and mission boards to use in developing local guidelines for witness and mission with those of other faiths and those without a faith affiliation.
World Council of Churches Central Committee. “An Ecumenical Call to Just Peace.” Call to Unity Issue 12 (October 2011): 37-43.
This text was “received, endorsed and commended for reflection, collaboration and common action” by the Central Committee in February 2011.
World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs Working Group on Social Justice and Common Goods. “Social Justice and Common Goods: Policy Paper.” The Ecumenical Review 63:3 (October 2011): 330-342.
Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement . 2nd edition. Edited by Nicholas Lossky et al. Geneva : WCC, 2002.
The Ecumenical Movement: An Anthology of Key Texts and Voices . Edited by Michael Kinnamon and Brian E. Cope. Geneva : WCC; Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 1997. (updated edition forthcoming 2010)
Faith and Witness Commission of the Canadian Council of Churches, ed. Liturgies for Christian Unity: The First Hundred Years, 1908-2008. Toronto : Novalis, 2008.
Growth in Agreement: Reports and Agreed Statements of Ecumenical Conversations on a World Level . Edited by Harding Meyer and Lukas Vischer. New York : Paulist Press, 1984.
Growth in Agreement II: Reports and Agreed statements of Ecumenical Conversations on a World Level, 1982-1998. Edited by Jeffrey Gros, Harding Meyer, William G. Rusch. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 2000.
Growth in Agreement III: International Dialogue Texts and Agreed Statements, 1998-2005 . Edited by Jeffrey Gros; Thomas F Best; Lorelei F Fuchs. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 2007.
A History of the Ecumenical Movement : vol. 1: 1517-1948 edited by Ruth Rouse and Stephen C. Neill; vol. 2: 1948-1968 edited by Harold E. Fey. 4 th edition. Geneva : WCC, 1993.
A History of the Ecumenical Movement, vol. 3, 1968-2000 . Edited by John Briggs, Mercy A. Oduyoye, George Tsetsis. Geneva : WCC, 2004.
In One Body through the Cross: The Princeton Proposal for Christian Unity. Edited by Carl E. Braaten and Robert W. Jenson. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 2003.
The Ecumenical Future: Background Papers for In One Body through the Cross: The Princeton Proposal for Christian Unity. Edited by Carl E. Braaten and Robert W. Jenson. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 2004.
Matlins, Stuart M. & Arthur J. Magida, eds. How to be a Perfect Stranger: the Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook . 4 th ed. Woodstock , Vt. : SkyLight Paths Pub., c2006.
A handbook of practical advice for attending worship services in denominations and other religions, such as: basic beliefs of that tradition, in what portions of a service a visitor may participate, what books are used, who officiates, what is appropriate attire, whether contributions are expected, etc.
Rusch, William G. Ecumenical Reception: Its Challenge and Opportunity . Philadelphia : Fortress, 2007.
A key work on how to integrate ecumenical agreements into the life of the church.
Sawyer, Mary R. Black Ecumenism: Implementing the Demands of Justice. Valley Forge : Trinity Press International, 1994.
The Unity We Have and the Unity We Seek: Ecumenical Prospects for the Third Millennium . Edited by Jeremy Morris and Nicholas Sagovsky. London , New York : T & T Clark, 2003.
Updated November 30, 2009
Key Reference Works for the Study of Ecumenism
Growth in Agreement: Reports and Agreed Statements of Ecumenical Conversations on a World Level. Edited by Harding Meyer and Lukas Vischer. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
An anthology of the official statements of bilateral agreements between denominations up to 1984.
Growth in Agreement II: Reports and Agreed statements of Ecumenical Conversations on a World Level, 1982-1998. Edited by Jeffrey Gros, Harding Meyer, William G. Rusch. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
An anthology of the official statements of bilateral agreements between denominations from 1982-1998.
Kinnamon, Michael and Brian E. Cope, eds. The Ecumenical Movement: an Anthology of Key Texts and Voices. Grand Rapids , Mich. : W.B. Eerdmans Pub., 1997.
Lossky, Nicholas, et al. Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement, 2 nd edition. Geneva: WCC Publications, 2002.
Matlins, Stuart M. & Arthur J. Magida, eds. How to be a Perfect Stranger: the Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook. 3rd ed. Woodstock, Vt.: SkyLight Paths Pub., c2003.
A handbook of practical advice for attending worship services in denominations and other religions, such as: basic beliefs of that tradition, in what portions of a service a visitor may participate, what books are used, who officiates, what is appropriate attire, whether contributions are expected, etc.
Rouse, Ruth A and Stephen Charles Neill. History of the Ecumenical Movement. 3rd ed. Geneva : World Council of Churches, 1986-2004. A comprehensive history of the 20th century ecumenical movement, in three volumes.
Rusch, William G. Ecumenical Reception: Its Challenge and Opportunity. Philadelphia: Fortress, 2007.
A key work on how to integrate ecumenical agreements into the life of the church.
