Ecumenism: A Guide for the Perplexed

by R. David Nelson, Charles Raith II

Overview

Ecumenism: A Guide for the Perplexed is a comprehensive introduction to the methods, achievements, and future prospects of the modern ecumenical movement. The authors begin the volume by charting out a serviceable definition of ecumenism, a term that has long been a source of confusion for students of theology and church history. They review the chronology of the modern ecumenical movement and highlight the major events, figures, accomplishments, and impasses. This historical survey is followed by critical examinations of three significant challenges for contemporary ecumenical theology and practice. Along the way, the authors provide commentary upon the difficulties and prospects that the ecumenical movement might anticipate as it enters this new millennium.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567573469
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/27/2017
Series:	Guides for the Perplexed
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

R. David Nelson is Acquisition Editor for Baker Academic and Brazos Press, USA.

Charles Raith II is Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy and Director of the Paradosis Center for Theology and Scripture at John Brown University, USA.

Table of Contents

Preface
Ch. 1: Introduction: What is Ecumenism? Toward a Definition of A Perplexing Term
Part I: The History of the Modern Ecumenical Movement
Ch.2: From Edinburgh 1910 to the World Council of Churches: Early Trajectories of the Modern Ecumenical Impulse
Ch. 3: The Great Decade: Ecumenical Advances During the 1960s
Ch. 4: Conciliar Breakthroughs and the Flowering of the Ecumenical Dialogues
Ch. 5: The Evangelical Trajectory of Modern Ecumenism
Part II: Three Ecumenical Challenges for Christianity's Third Millennium
Ch. 6: The Problem of Basic Differences
Ch. 7: The Challenge of Ecumenical Reception
Ch. 8: Criticisms of the Modern Ecumenical Movement
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

It is well designed for use as an introductory textbook for a classroom setting, though it could also serve as a stand-alone book. It is written for and highly recommended for those with a formal theological education but no prior experience in ecumenism.
Exchange

Nelson and Raith provide an introduction to ecumenism that is positive though not uncritical, concise yet thorough, scholarly but accessible.
Reading Religion

This lucid introduction to the modern ecumenical movement offers an informative and reliable overview of its history and obstacles. The result is a broad, yet theologically astute orientation to ecumenism. Particularly noteworthy is the claim that contemporary ecumenism is unintelligible apart from the contributions of evangelical Christianity. Nelson and Raith's passion for the church's unity will draw in many of those skeptical of ecumenism.
Hans Boersma, Regent College, Canada

From the Publisher