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Books > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > Ecumenism
Theologians and leaders from many Churches and from the major world
religions, including the last four popes, have acknowledged as
unique in Christian history the spiritual gifts poured forth
through Chiara Lubich. Her spirituality of unity has the ultimate
goal of contributing to the unity for which Jesus prayed to his
Father: May they all be one (Jn 17:21). This volume gathers her
essential writings and for the first time presents them in a
systematic fashion. It is a summa of the charism of unity, which
will lead readers to ponder, understand and experience a
spirituality particularly suited to the era in which we live. The
history of the Church has seen many radicalisms of love ... that of
Francis of Assisi, of Ignatius of Loyola. There is also Chiaras
radicalism ... which seeks to make this love victorious in every
circumstance. Pope John Paul II
As you take a deep breath and submerge yourself in the waters; as
you rise wet and warned and welcome, prepared to walk into Lent,
hear this: You are loved by God. Each and every one of you:
cherished, adored, liked - just as you are. God loves you, Jesus
loves you, the Spirit loves you: Three-in-One. No exceptions.
Follow Christ's footsteps, walk into the wilderness - and dance in
the desert. Beloved of God, come on a journey.
Baptized in the Spirit creatively examines the most recent trends
in Pentecostal and charismatic theology, especially with regard to
the displacement of Spirit baptism as Pentecostalism s central
distinctive. The author begins by focusing on the significance of
the Holy Spirit in reciprocal and mutual work with the Son in
fulfilling the will of the Father. He also shows how the
pneumatological emphases in Pentecostal and charismatic theology
can help to correct the tendency in Western Christianity to
subordinate the Spirit to the Word."
This book treads new ground by bringing the Evangelical and
Dissenting movements within Christianity into close engagement with
one another. While Evangelicalism and Dissent both have well
established historiographies, there are few books that specifically
explore the relationship between the two. Thus, this complex
relationship is often overlooked and underemphasised. The volume is
organised chronologically, covering the period from the late
seventeenth century to the closing decades of the twentieth
century. Some chapters deal with specific centuries but others
chart developments across the whole period covered by the book.
Chapters are balanced between those that concentrate on an
individual, such as George Whitefield or John Stott, and those that
focus on particular denominational groups like Wesleyan Methodism,
Congregationalism or the 'Black Majority Churches'. The result is a
new insight into the cross pollination of these movements that will
help the reader to understand modern Christianity in England and
Wales more fully. Offering a fresh look at the development of
Evangelicalism and Dissent, this volume will be of keen interest to
any scholar of Religious Studies, Church History, Theology or
modern Britain.
Christianity Today Book of the Year award of Merit We generally
assume that those sitting around us in church share our beliefs.
But when our personal convictions are contested by fellow
Christians, everything changes. We feel attacked from behind. When
other Christians doubt or deny our convictions, we don't experience
it as a mere difference of opinion, but as a violation of an
unspoken agreement. Tim Muehlhoff and Rick Langer offer a guide to
help Christians navigate disagreements with one another. In today's
polarized context, Christians often have committed, biblical
rationales for very different positions. How do we discern between
core biblical convictions and secondary issues? How do we cultivate
better understanding and compassion for those we disagree with?
Muehlhoff and Langer provide lessons from conflict theory and
church history on how to avoid the dangers of groupthink and how to
negotiate differing biblical convictions to avoid church splits and
repair interpersonal ruptures. Christian unity is possible.
Discover how we can navigate differences by speaking in both truth
and love.
What we sing shapes what we believe - this is an incontrovertible
truth as regards the song of the Church. It has led many Westerners
to believe that Jesus was a silent baby (Away In A Manger) and a
docile child (Once In Royal David's City). It has suggested that
militarism is an apt metaphor for discipleship (Onward Christian
Soldiers) and this misconception is closely allied to decay (Abide
With Me). It has also led to the assumption that, as regards
religion, 'the West is the best' (O'er Those Gloomy Hills of
Darkness, etc). This is not to discount the value of these and
other favourite texts. It is, rather, to suggest that the songs we
sing reflect the theology of our times, and theology is always in
process because God is always on the move. The songs in this
collection are not the antidote but rather a supplement both to
traditional hymnody and to the narrow spectrum of biblical and
emotional content in much praise and worship material. They are
songs intended, as the title (which comes from the words of Jesus)
suggests, to liberate us from limited horizons. Hence there are:
songs which shun dated, churchy language and instead embrace
contemporary speech; songs which prove that the southern hemisphere
has more to offer than Kumbaya; songs which take the world
seriously, because God takes it seriously; songs which allow
worship to be more than predictable praise; songs which challenge
the dominance of a performance mentality because they are meant for
all to sing. Because we have never set out to provide peerless
performances of flawless music, we hope that this album will not
just be something to listen to, but may encourage all of God's
people to sing.
Advancing strong, scholarly discussion on the Holy Spirit and the
church in the context of the ecumenical movement, six theologians
in five different churches offer new theological and pastoral
insights into the work of the Holy Spirit in the churches of
Christianity, in ecumenism, and in witness. With The Church:
Towards a Common Vision (World Council of Churches) document
serving as a common point of reference, a pastoral perspective is
distinctive throughout. Relating theology to non-theological
knowledge of the contemporary cultural context, as well as
application to pastoral practice, this book draws from, and is
applicable to, clergy formation, preaching, lay discipleship,
church-world relations, social mission, congregational life,
grass-roots ecumenical cooperation, and witness to Christ and the
gospel by racial minorities.
Increasingly, the modern neo-liberal world marginalises any notion
of religion or spirituality, leaving little or no room for the
sacred in the public sphere. While this process advances, the
conservative and harmful behaviours associated with some religions
and their adherents exacerbate this marginalisation by driving out
those who remain religious or spiritual. And all of this is seen
through the lens of social science, which seems to agree that
religion remains important, if not in spiritual sense, at least as
a source of folklore and a means of identification: religions
remain rooted in the societies from which they emerged, and the
legal systems of many of those societies emerged from religious
sources, even if those societies remain unwilling to admit that
fact. In the modern materialistic world of conformity, religion is
less a source of guidance than a label of identification. The world
therefore faces two issues. First, the decreasing level of
spirituality in the 'West' widens the gap between worshippers and
those who have left their faith (eg agnostics and atheists, or
those who look at religion as a matter of 'picking and choosing'
from a range of options). And, second, the strong connections to
religion which remain in many nations, but which are often misused
in the secular public sphere (both in the West and
internationally). In such divided worlds, both religious and
secular forces tend to lock themselves into closed groupings of
'pure truth' and in so doing increase the level of disagreement, in
turn producing radicalism. In short, the modern world is divided in
two ways: between religious and non-religious (although some have
argued that the non-religious secular is itself a form of civil
religion), and between those subscribing to divergent
understandings of the same religious tradition. While hyperbolic
and histrionic, the term 'culture wars' nonetheless best captures
what we see happening in the public sphere today. The question
emerges, then: how best to accommodate the democratic principle
which posits that the majority should feel that it lives in a
society of its own with the human rights principle, holding that is
necessary to ensure the full protection of the minority's rights?
How to balance these seemingly opposed principles? We are very
familiar with the differences that appear between secular and
sacred in the modern world; yet, what of the similarities amongst
scriptures and laws which seek to encourage mutual understanding,
cooperation and even cohabitation? Because religion itself is a
source of law, a set of exhortations or commands as much as a set
of rights, every major religion offers an approach to encountering
'the Other' in a positive, constructive, affirming way; and it is
here that religions reveal much that they have in common. This book
draws together the work of scholars engaged in exploring the
possibilities for a 'utopian' world in the sense fostered by St
Thomas More. The essays explore those dimensions of religious and
civil law where 'love' - however that is defined by relevant texts
- fosters and encourages acceptance of 'the Other' and will offer
perspectives on the ways in which religious or civil/state law
command one to act in the spirit of 'love'.
Advancing strong, scholarly discussion on the Holy Spirit and the
church in the context of the ecumenical movement, six theologians
in five different churches offer new theological and pastoral
insights into the work of the Holy Spirit in the churches of
Christianity, in ecumenism, and in witness. With The Church:
Towards a Common Vision (World Council of Churches) document
serving as a common point of reference, a pastoral perspective is
distinctive throughout. Relating theology to non-theological
knowledge of the contemporary cultural context, as well as
application to pastoral practice, this book draws from, and is
applicable to, clergy formation, preaching, lay discipleship,
church-world relations, social mission, congregational life,
grass-roots ecumenical cooperation, and witness to Christ and the
gospel by racial minorities.
When Hindus and Sikhs become followers of Christ, what happens
next? Should they join Christian churches that often look and feel
very unfamiliar to them? Or to what degree can or should they
remain a part of their Hindu/Sikh communities and practices?
Uncomfortable with the answers that were provided to them by
Christian leaders in northwest India, six followers of Christ began
Yeshu satsangs that sought to follow Christ and the teachings of
the Bible while remaining connected to their Hindu and/or Sikh
communities. 'Ecclesial Identities in a Multi-Faith Context'
contextualises the practices and identities of these leaders and
their gatherings, situating these in the religious history of the
region and the personal histories of the leaders themselves.
Whereas some Christians worry that the Yeshu satsangs and related
'insider movements' are syncretising their beliefs and are not
properly identifiable as 'churches', Darren Todd Duerksen analyses
the Yeshu satsang's narratives and practices to find vibrant
expressions of local church that are grappling with questions and
tensions of social and religious identity. In addition to his
ethnographic approach, Duerksen also uses recent sociological and
anthropological theory in identity formation and critical realism,
as well as discussions of biblical ecclesiology from the Book of
Acts. This study will be a helpful resource for those interested in
global Christianity, the practices and identities of churches in
religiously plural environments, and the creative ways in which
Christfollowers can engage people of other faiths.
A comprehensive series of essays exploring Peter C. Phan's
groundbreaking work to widen Christian theology beyond the Western
world Peter C. Phan's wide-ranging contributions to theology and
his pioneering work on religious pluralism, migration, and
Christian identity have made a global impact on the field. The
essays in Theology without Borders offer a variety of perspectives
across Phan's fundamental work in eschatology, world christianity,
interreligious dialogue, and much more. Together, these essays
offer a comprehensive assessment of Phan's groundbreaking work
across a range of theological fields. Included in the conversation
are discussions of world Christianity and migration, Christian
identity and religious pluralism, Christian theology in Asia, Asian
American theology, eschatology, and Phan's lasting legacy. Theology
without Borders provides a welcome overview for anyone interested
in the career of Peter C. Phan, his body of work, and its
influence.
Should Christianity's theological face remain largely European and
North American in the twenty-first century in the wake of the
expansion of Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin
America? The question about the "theological face" of Christianity
cannot be ignored. For too long African, Asian, and Latin American
theologians have been left out of mainstream theological
discussions. Few standard textbooks on Christian theology
acknowledge the unique contributions theologians from these
continents have made to global Christianity. Introducing Christian
Theologies: Voices from Global Christian Communities is a
two-volume textbook that alters the predominantly European and
North American "theological face" of Christianity by interacting
with the voices of Christian communities from around the globe.
Introducing Christian Theologies explores the works of key
theologians from across the globe, highlighting their unique
contributions to Christian theology and doctrine.
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.
In the early seventeenth century, as the vehement aggression of the
early Reformation faded, the Church of England was able to draw
upon scholars of remarkable ability to present a more thoughtful
defence of its position. The Caroline Divines, who flourished under
King Charles I, drew upon vast erudition and literary skill, to
refute the claims of the Church of Rome and affirm the purity of
the English religious settlement. This book examines their writings
in the context of modern ecumenical dialogue, notably that of the
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) to ask
whether their arguments are still valid, and indeed whether they
can contribute to contemporary ecumenical progress. Drawing upon an
under-used resource within Anglicanism's own theological history,
this volume shows how the restatement by the Caroline Divines of
the catholic identity of the Church prefigured the work of ARCIC,
and provides Anglicans with a vocabulary drawn from within their
own tradition that avoids some of the polemical and disputed
formulations of the Roman Catholic tradition.
An important interfaith dialogue examines causes of global
inequality and explores solutions. In A World of Inequalities:
Christian and Muslim Perspectives, fourteen leading Christian and
Muslim scholars respond to the global crisis of inequality by
demanding and modeling interreligious dialogue. This volume takes
an intersectional approach, examining aspects of global inequality
including gender, race and ethnicity, caste and social class,
economic and sociopolitical disparities, and slavery. Essays
explore the roots of these realities, how they are treated in
Christian and Muslim traditions and texts, and how the two faiths
can work together to address inequality. A World of Inequalities
brings readers into the conversation, inviting them to engage in a
similar dialogue by offering pairs of essays alongside texts for
close reading. Scholars, religious leaders, and students of
theology and theological ethics will find this a useful resource to
address this pressing issue.
Jung's correspondence with one of the twentieth century's leading
theologians and ecumenicists On Theology and Psychology brings
together C. G. Jung's correspondence with Adolf Keller, a
celebrated Protestant theologian who was one of the pioneers of the
modern ecumenical movement and one of the first religious leaders
to become interested in analytical psychology. Their relationship
spanned half a century, and for many years Keller was the only
major religious leader to align himself with Jung and his ideas.
Both men shared a lifelong engagement with questions of faith, and
each grappled with God in his own distinctive way. Presented here
in English for the first time are letters that provide a rare look
at Jung in dialogue with a theologian. Spanning some fifty years,
these letters reveal an extended intellectual and spiritual
discourse between two very different men as they exchange views on
the nature of the divine, the compatibility of Jungian psychology
and Christianity, the interpretation of the Bible and figures such
as Jesus and Job, and the phenomenon of National Socialism.
Although Keller was powerfully attracted to Jung's ideas, his
correspondence with the famed psychiatrist demonstrates that he
avoided discipleship. Both men struggled with essential questions
about human existence, spirituality, and well-being, and both
sought common ground where the concerns of psychologists and
theologians converge. Featuring an illuminating introduction by
Marianne Jehle-Wildberger, On Theology and Psychology offers
incomparable insights into the development of Jung's views on
theology and religion, and a unique window into a spiritual and
intellectual friendship unlike any other.
Practical theology has outgrown its traditional pastoral paradigm.
The articles in this handbook recognize that faith, spirituality,
and lived religion, within and beyond institutional communities,
refer to realms of cultures, ritual practices, and symbolic orders,
whose boundaries are not clearly defined and whose contents are
shifting. The International Handbook of Practical Theology offers
insightful transcultural conceptions of religion and religious
matters gathered from various cultures and traditions of faith. The
first section presents 'concepts of religion'. Chapters have to do
with considerations of the conceptualizing of religion in the
fields of 'anthropology', 'community', 'family', 'institution',
'law', 'media', and 'politics' among others. The second section is
dedicated to case studies of 'religious practices' from the
perspective of their actors. The third section presents major
theoretical discourses that explore the globally significant
diversity and multiplicity of religion. Altogether, sixty-one
authors from different parts of the world encourage a rethinking of
religious practice in an expanded, transcultural, globalized, and
postcolonial world.
'Christian Warfare in Rhodesia-Zimbabwe' takes a hard look at the
history of the Salvation Army in Rhodesia-Zimbabwe and its long
history with both the government and the rest of the church. Norman
H. Murdoch examines in-depth the parallels between the events of
the First Chimurenga, an uprising against European occupation in
1896-97, and the Second Chimurenga in the 1970s, the civil war that
led to majority rule. At the time of the first, the Salvation Army
was barely established in the country; by the second, it was fully
entrenched in the ruling class. Murdoch explores the collaboration
of this Christian mission with the institutions of white rule and
the painful process of disentanglement necessary by the late
twentieth century. Stories of martyrdom and colonial mythology are
set in the carefully researched context of ecumenical relations and
the Salvation Army's largely unknown and seldom accessible internal
politics.
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