Convergence or Divergence in Theology of Religions?

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-115
Author(s):  
Rolf Kjøde
Keyword(s):  
Cape Town ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
Theology Of Religions ◽  
Christian Mission ◽  
The World ◽  
World Council ◽  
To Come ◽  
Global Church ◽  
Evangelical Theology

If there is an ongoing convergence in understanding of mission between the two traditions of the global church named as conciliar and evangelical, can we trace this in the theology of religions? This study investigates this question by studying two recent and comprehensive mission documents, Together towards Life (ttl) and the Cape Town Commitment (ctc). Theology of religions is a topic fundamental and decisive for understanding the nature of Christian mission. The article concludes that the World Council of Churches (wcc) seemed to come closest to the evangelical theology of religions in the years leading up to 1989. Through ttl, the wcc officially seems to confirm an inclusivism with a wider opening towards pluralist aspects. The evangelical emphasis on proclamation, truth and uniqueness of Christ in ctc is not compatible with this development. A shift of direction in theology of religions since 1989 is detectable in ttl, while evangelical theology of religions is relatively stable in its fundamental thinking. 如果在协会派与福音派这两种普世教会的传统中，对宣教的认识有融合的话，那么我们能否在它们的宗教神学中追溯到些什么呢？本文就此对Together towards Life (ttl) 和 Cape Town Commitment (ctc) 两份复杂的宣教文献进行研究考查。宗教神学是对基督教宣教本质的理解最基本也是最根本的课题。本文得出的结论是。普世协会 (wcc) 似乎在1989年前的几年，与福音派的宗教神学最贴近。透过 ttl，wcc 正式确认了其对多元主义完全敞开的包容主义，而福音派着重的宣告，真理及基督的独一性是与此发展互不兼容的。自 1989 年以来， 可以找到 ttl 里宗教神学的改变，而福音派的宗教神学其基本思想却是相对稳定的。 Si existe en realidad un proceso de convergencia en la comprensión de la misión entre las dos tradiciones de la iglesia mundial: la conciliar y la evangélica; ¿podemos descubrirlo en la teología de las religiones? Para responder a esta pregunta, este estudio analiza dos documentos exhaustivos y recientes sobre la misión: Juntos por la vida (ttl, siglas en inglés) y el Compromiso de Ciudad del Cabo (ctc, siglas en inglés). La teología de las religiones es un tema fundamental y decisivo para comprender la naturaleza de la misión cristiana. El artículo concluye que el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (wcc, siglas en inglés) parece acercarse más a la teología evangélica de las religiones perteneciente a los años anteriores a 1989. A través de ttl, el wcc parece confirmar oficialmente un inclusivismo con una apertura más amplia hacia aspectos pluralistas. El énfasis evangélico sobre la proclamación, la verdad y la singularidad de Cristo en ctc no parece compatible con este proceso. Se detecta en ttl un cambio de orientación en la teología de las religiones desde 1989, mientras que la teología evangélica de las religiones es relativamente invariable en su pensamiento fundamental. This article is in English.

A New Ecumenism? Christian Unity in a Global Church

2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 596-613
Author(s):  
Thomas Rausch
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
The World ◽  
Independent Churches ◽  
New Churches ◽  
World Council ◽  
Recent Statement ◽  
Global Church ◽  
The Church ◽  
Common Vision

The author asks if a new ecumenism might be emerging, one that can bring the burgeoning new Pentecostal-charismatic-independent churches of the Global South, most of them non-liturgical or sacramental, together with the traditional churches of Europe and North America that continue to lose members. The article assesses the recent statement of the World Council of Churches, The Church: Toward a Common Vision, seen by many of the new churches as too Western and Eurocentric, and asks if we need a new way of envisioning the ecumenical future.

THE EMERGENCE OF RESISTANCE TO ECUMENISM IN THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (ROC) IN THE POST-PERESTROIKA PERIOD OF RUSSIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 74-93
Author(s):  
V.A. LIVTSOV ◽  
◽  
A.V. LEPILIN ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Russian Orthodox ◽  
Orthodox Church ◽  
International Level ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
Russian Orthodox Church ◽  
The World ◽  
World Council ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Emergence Of Resistance

The main purpose of the article is to analyze the emergence of opposition to ecumenism in the Rus-sian Orthodox Church (ROC) in the post-perestroika period of Russia. The article examines the issues of interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), the aspects of opposition to the ecumenist movement in the Russian Federation in the post-Soviet realities. The author comes to the conclusion that in the post-perestroika period, a number of representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church were negatively disposed towards ecu-menism and considered this movement a heresy. The issues of this kind caused disagreement not only at the international level, but also within the structure of the ROC itself.

Presbyterian Ecumenism

2019 ◽  
pp. 251-264
Author(s):  
Louis B. Weeks
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Of Christ ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
Biblical Authority ◽  
The World ◽  
World Council ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
Federal Council Of Churches

Most Presbyterians possess an ecumenical spirit. They recognize other denominations as parts of the Body of Christ just as surely as their own. They cooperate enthusiastically in service, worship, and witness with Christians in many different denominations. Their reliance on biblical authority and agreement with Christians in other communions on many theological issues have led American Presbyterians to be involved in practically every major ecumenical endeavor. Many Presbyterians have been leaders in these enterprises as well. The Old Light and New Light Presbyterian reconciliation, major revivals in America and Europe, the mergers of denominations and comity arrangements for mission have provided energy and vision for ecumenism. The planting of newer Reformed churches—in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and predominantly Catholic countries in Europe—embodied this ecumenism. Mainstream Presbyterians played an important role in numerous ecumenical organizations including the Evangelical Alliance, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Federal Council of Churches, the Faith and Order and the Life and Work movements, and the World Council of Churches. Those who left the larger Presbyterian denominations to create new Reformed bodies have likewise engaged in ecumenism. In recent years, however, the extensive formal ecumenical ties have been eclipsed by the extensive ecumenism of local Presbyterian congregations and their individual officers and members.

Reviewing and Responding to the Thought of Choan-Seng Song

1977 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Keyword(s):  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Recent Book ◽  
Theological Seminary ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
Christian Mission ◽  
World Council ◽  
Christian Literature ◽  
Princeton Theological Seminary ◽  
Theological Thought ◽  
Academic Year

Choan-Seng Song, formerly Professor of Theology and Principal of Tainan Theological College in Taiwan and now Associate Director of the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, is among the most stimulating of present-day Asian theologians. Dr. Song has become increasingly well known to missiological circles in North America through his service as a visiting professor at Princeton Theological Seminary during the academic year 1976–77. His book Christian Mission In Reconstruction: An Asian Attempt was first published in Madras by the Christian Literature Society of India in 1976. Orbis Books has scheduled an American edition to appear in the fall of 1977. The Occasional Bulletin of Missionary Research invited D. Preman Niles, Professor in the field of Biblical Studies at the Theological College in Pilimatalawa, Sri Lanka, and Charles C. West, the Stephen Colwell Professor of Christian Ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey to write brief articles on “Reviewing and Responding to the Thought of Choan-Seng Song.” Although Dr. Song's recent book is intended to be a particular focus of those two reflections, they go beyond it to a wider consideration of his theological thought. In turn, Dr. Song was invited to submit a “reaction-to-the-reactions.” The three articles follow in that order.

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