Disunity about Unity: “All in Each Place” vs. Christian World Communions
The 1961 assembly of the World Council of Churches in New Delhi, India, had yet another ecumenical vision in mind: “all in each place.” The idea was that ecumenical reconciliation must begin locally, so that all Christians in each “place” … Continue reading
Disunity about Unity: Organic Union vs. United/Uniting Churches
The Anglican counter-proposal to the federalism model for unity is known as “organic union.” The word “organic” here emphasizes the body-imagery of the church, the interconnectedness of many parts but in a single whole. Naturally this relates to the episcopal … Continue reading
Disunity about Unity: Spiritual Unity vs. Federalism
The founding ecumenical insight is that there already is some kind of unity among the churches. Every church professes that the true church is one; the difference of opinion is where the boundaries lie around this one church. Time spent … Continue reading
Luther on Word, Sacraments, and Worship
From Luther’s First Lectures on the Psalms (1513–1515), Psalm 68: “[N]ote that the strength of Scripture is this, that it is not changed into him who studies it, but that it transforms its lover into itself and its strengths… It is … Continue reading
Disunity about Unity
Over the years, the ecumenical movement has gotten wider and wider in its scope. Some would say the movement to end division has itself become divided. This is probably the result of the churches realizing just how much is involved … Continue reading
An Interview with Theodor Dieter, Lutheran Ecumenist
Tell us how you became an ecumenist. First: When I was a student of Protestant theology and philosophy I studied twice the magisterial book The Theology of Justification in Martin Luther and Thomas Aquinas by the Catholic theologian Otto Hermann … Continue reading
…and the Methodists Get in on the Action!
It was amazing enough that Lutherans and Catholics together for the first time in their history made a mutual doctrinal statement together in the Joint Declaration. But nobody expected the amazing follow-up: the world’s Methodist churches signing on as well! The … Continue reading
Letter to Pilgrims–A Guest Post by Katie A. Wilson
(We admit it: Katie is our sister-in-law, married to Andrew’s older brother Jed. But it was such a great letter we thought you might enjoy reading it too, and she said it was OK.) My dear Andrew and Sarah, What God is … Continue reading
Australia Ahead of Everybody Else
While the final text of the Joint Declaration was undergoing review in the Catholic Church and in the member churches of the Lutheran World Federation, the folks Down Under were way ahead of the game. They looked into the JD … Continue reading
Sweden and Finland Get Justified Too
The international agreement in the Joint Declaration, with both churches signing at the highest level, was a huge breakthrough. The JD is binding and permanent. But the reality is that nothing is binding and permanent unless the whole church receives … Continue reading
The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification: So Much More Exciting Than It Sounds
This bulkily named declaration is exciting, first of all, because it’s the first time ever that the Lutheran and Catholic churches mutually committed to a statement about the Christian faith. Given the range and depth of their accusations against each … Continue reading
From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”
“First, when I feel that I have become cool and joyless in prayer because of other tasks or thoughts (for the flesh and the devil always impede and obstruct prayer), I take my little psalter, hurry to my room, or, … Continue reading
On the Way to the Joint Declaration
Since Lutherans have said for centuries now (to be precise, since Franz Turretini in 1682) that the doctrine of justification is the doctrine on which the church stands or falls, it’s not surprising that it has been central to Lutheran-Catholic … Continue reading
Spiritual Ecumenism, the Soul of the Movement
It’s good to watch our own speech; it’s good to listen and learn from others; it’s good to undertake fresh study into the Christian faith itself. But the Christian faith, though asking the best of our minds, is never content … Continue reading
Ecumenical Instructions for Catholics (Protestants, Please Eavesdrop)
While much visible ecumenical work takes place at an official level—like in the national and international dialogues—Unitatis Redintegratio expects all Catholics to get involved in some way or another. The decree lays down the marching orders for this new Catholic … Continue reading
