The book ends with a chapter on the 1950 statement by the Council's central committee, "The church, the churches and the WCC", which remains a key document on how the WCC understands its own identity and role.
Included in this collection of documents from the twentieth-century ecumenical movement are passages from texts produced by assemblies, conferences, and studies of the World Council of Churches and similar bodies, covering three areas of historical concern within modern ecumenism: faith and order, life and work, and mission and evangelism.
This book is a harvest of the ecumenical work done to advance economic, social and ecological justice since the 9th assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Porto Alegre till the 10th WCC assembly in Busan. It outlines the milestones in the journey leading up to the Bogor statement on "Economy of life, justice and peace for all," also included in this volume.
This handbook is currently in development, with individual articles publishing online in advance of print publication. At this time, we cannot add information about unpublished articles in this handbook, however the table of contents will continue to grow as additional articles pass through the review process and are added to the site. Please note that the online publication date for this handbook is the date that the first article in the title was published online. For more information, please read the site FAQs.
"A charter for interreligious learning as part of the common Christian life, Who Do We Say That We Are? is an ecumenical document on interfaith relations that asks not so much, 'What do we think of them?' as 'How are our Christian self-understandings changed and enriched by engagement with our neighbours' faith?'" --S. Mark Heim, Samuel Abbot Professor of Christian Theology, Andover Newton Theological School, Massachusetts Perhaps more than ever, in our globalized context we meet persons of other faiths and religious traditions. When empathetic, such meetings can be revealing about their lives and commitments. Yet how do they change our own identity and illuminate our own faith? In light of interreligious encounter, who do we say that we are? This brief work, distilled from lengthy and broad theological consultation facilitated by the World Council of Churches, suggests ways in which our faith is deepened and exciting new vistas opened on traditional Christian faith commitments through interreligious dialogue and engagement. Our sincere engagements with the other can lead to a growing grasp of our own faith identity and, indeed, more profound encounter with the mystery of God. (Series: Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation Programme) [Subject: Religious Studies, Christiani Theology]
The most comprehensive scholarly survey of Karl Barth’s theology ever published Karl Barth, arguably the most influential theologian of the 20th century, is widely considered one of the greatest thinkers within the history of the Christian tradition. Readers of Karl Barth often find his work both familiar and strange: the questions he considers are the same as those Christian theologians have debated for centuries, but he often addresses these questions in new and surprising ways. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth helps readers understand Barth’s theology and his place in the Christian tradition through a new lens. Covering nearly every topic related to Barth’s life and thought, this work spans two volumes, comprising 66 in-depth chapters written by leading experts in the field. Volume One explores Barth’s dogmatic theology in relation to traditional Christian theology, provides historical timelines of Barth’s life and works, and discusses his significance and influence. Volume Two examines Barth’s relationship to various figures, movements, traditions, religions, and events, while placing his thought in its theological, ecumenical, and historical context. This groundbreaking work: Places Barth into context with major figures in the history of Christian thought, presenting a critical dialogue between them Features contributions from a diverse team of scholars, each of whom are experts in the subject Provides new readers of Barth with an introduction to the most important questions, themes, and ideas in Barth’s work Offers experienced readers fresh insights and interpretations that enrich their scholarship Edited by established scholars with expertise on Barth’s life, his theology, and his significance in Christian tradition An important contribution to the field of Barth scholarship, the Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth is an indispensable resource for scholars and students interested in the work of Karl Barth, modern theology, or systematic theology.
The ecumenical prayer cycle is the annual prayer journey of Christians in solidarity with the people and churches of the whole world, focusing on different countries or regions each week. Available in print and online, the prayer cycle has become a spiritual guidepost of the ecumenical movement, as it enables Christians everywhere to identify and pray with their sisters and brothers around the globe. This edition largely retains the geographic sequence of earlier editions. It also retains the sequence of elements in each week: an introductory word about each region, intercessions of thanksgiving and petition specific to the context, and a compilation of prayers from the region. Enhanced by photos and song suggestions, it also adds some thematic sections or weeks as well, centring Christian prayer on some of the most pressing issues that confront global Christianity, from peace to environment to migration to gender relations. This edition also ties the annual circumnavigation in prayer to the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, the ecumenical initiative that asks Christians everywhere to join in transformative work for all humanity. The ecumenical prayer cycle becomes itself a virtual pilgrimage, a spiritual encounter with the gifts and challenges of Christian churches around the world. Ester Pudjo Widiasih, from the Javanese Christian Churches in Indonesia, is programme executive for spiritual life, and also serves the Faith and Order Commission, in the World Council of Churches. Karen L. Bloomquist is has directed theological work of the ELCA (Chicago) and Lutheran World Federation (Geneva). Most recently, she served as Dean at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, and her latest book is Seeing-Remembering-Connecting: Subversive Practices of the Church (2016). Subject: Religious Studies, Christianity]
Walking together in faith and solidarity - What does it mean to go on pilgrimage? And further: what does it mean for Christians around the world to understand their discipleship in terms of pilgrimage in God's realm of justice and peace? This engaging and inspiring volume, developed by the Theological Study Group of the World Council of Church's Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, takes stock of the spiritual, social, and theological meanings of this global ecumenical initiative and its relevance to different regional, confessional, and generational contexts. The thirteen contributions are enlivened by personal stories of the authors and perspectives of the traditions they represent, and the volume offers constructive ways in which Christians can renew their notion of what it means to be authentically church today. "Our journey of faith is personal yet never fully private. In fact, our relationship with God draws us ever closer to those around us, learning from and accountable to those in need and those who live at the margins. This volume shows us what it means to live as pilgrims journeying on toward justice, and what it means to see not just ourselves but also our faith communities and our whole life together in this way." - Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the Foreword Susan Durber is a minister of the United Reformed Church in the UK and Moderator of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order. Her publications include Preaching like a Woman (SPCK, 2007) and Surprised by Grace: Parables and Prayers (URC, 2013). Fernando Enns is an ordained minister from the Mennonite Church, Germany, and Professor of Peace Theology and Ethics at the Free University of Amsterdam. He also directs the Institute for Peace Church Theology at Hamburg University, Germany, and serves on the central committee of the WCC. Among his related publications is Just Peace: Ecumenical, Intercultural, and Interdisciplinary Perspectives (Pickwick, 2013).
"Life is marked by different stages, which are part of our ongoing pilgrimage...part of the mosaic of life that we are all building step by step." - Emilio Castro (1927-2013) This is the passionate and engaging story of the first Latin American to serve the World Council of Churches as general secretary. A fervent believer in the power of the spoken word, Emilio Castro used his oratorical abilities to call for social change and ecumenical engagement throughout a career that took him from his native Uruguay to the halls of world power. How apt it is then that this biography, based on an extensive series of interviews in 2006, includes Castro's own vivid re-telling of many of those moments. Carlos A. Sintado, from Argentina, is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church who worked in the WCC for more than 20 years and holds a doctorate from Drew University. Manuel Quintero Perez is an elder of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cuba who has served the World Student Christian Federation, Latin American Council of Churches, and WCC. Tony Coates has been translating for the WCC since 1982. He is an ordained minister of the United Reformed Church in the United Kingdom.