Christianity and Christian Theology
Encyclopedia of Ecumenical Movements: History, Theology, Institutions, Dialogues, and Global Christianity
21 Volumes
General Vision
Aim
To provide the first comprehensive encyclopedia covering:
- Origins of Christian unity and division
- Historical schisms
- Reunion movements
- Ecumenical theology
- Major councils
- Denominations and traditions
- Ecumenical organizations
- Regional movements
- Bilateral and multilateral dialogues
- Social and political dimensions
- Contemporary challenges and future prospects
Target Audience
- Scholars
- Universities
- Seminaries
- Church leaders
- Ecumenical organizations
- Researchers in religion and history
VOLUME I: Biblical and Patristic Foundations of Christian Unity
Purpose
Explore how the idea of Christian unity emerged in Scripture and the early Church.
Major Sections
Part I: Biblical Foundations
- Unity in the Old Testament
- Covenant and peoplehood
- Unity in Jesus’ prayer (John 17)
- Pauline theology of the Body of Christ
- Apostolic Church and unity
Part II: Apostolic Age
- Jerusalem Church
- Antioch and mission
- Apostolic succession
- Early ecclesial structures
Part III: Patristic Foundations
Articles on:
- Ignatius of Antioch
- Irenaeus of Lyons
- Cyprian of Carthage
- Athanasius of Alexandria
- Augustine of Hippo
Synopsis
This volume establishes the theological DNA of ecumenism by showing how Christian unity was understood before major divisions emerged.
VOLUME II: Councils, Creeds, and the Formation of Christian Orthodoxy
Major Themes
- Ecumenical Councils
- Development of doctrine
- Formation of creeds
- Canon law
Extensive Entries
- First Council of Nicaea
- First Council of Constantinople
- Council of Ephesus
- Council of Chalcedon
- Later councils
Synopsis
Examines how doctrinal consensus was created and how disputes eventually generated divisions.
VOLUME III: Early Schisms and the Fragmentation of Christendom
Coverage
- Arian controversy
- Nestorian controversy
- Monophysite controversies
- Oriental Orthodox separations
- East-West tensions
Churches Covered
- Coptic Orthodox Church
- Armenian Apostolic Church
- Syriac Orthodox Church
Synopsis
A detailed study of the first ruptures in Christian unity.
VOLUME IV: The Great Schism and East–West Relations
Major Topics
- Causes of 1054
- Papacy
- Filioque controversy
- Byzantine theology
- Crusades
Key Entries
- East–West Schism
- Fourth Crusade
Synopsis
Explains the most consequential division in Christian history and later reconciliation attempts.
VOLUME V: Reformation, Counter-Reformation, and New Divisions
Coverage
- Protestant Reformation
- Catholic Reformation
- Radical Reformation
Major figures:
- Martin Luther
- John Calvin
- Huldrych Zwingli
Synopsis
Shows how the modern denominational world emerged.
VOLUME VI: Precursors of Modern Ecumenism (1600–1900)
Themes
- Pietism
- Revivalism
- Missionary cooperation
- Bible societies
Organizations:
- British and Foreign Bible Society
- Young Men’s Christian Association
Synopsis
Documents the roots of modern ecumenical consciousness.
VOLUME VII: Birth of the Modern Ecumenical Movement (1900–1948)
Major Focus
- Edinburgh 1910
- Faith and Order
- Life and Work
- Student Christian movements
Key Event:
- World Missionary Conference
Synopsis
The foundational volume for twentieth-century ecumenism.
VOLUME VIII: The World Council of Churches and Global Ecumenism
Coverage
- History of the WCC
- Assemblies
- Theology
- Programs
Main Entry
- World Council of Churches
- Christian Conference of Asia (CAA)
- Faith and Order
- ARCIC
- Unitatis Redintegratio
- Ecumenical Patriarchate
- Joint Declaration on Justification
- Taizé
- Focolare
Synopsis
The central institutional history of organized ecumenism.
VOLUME IX: Authority, Primacy, Ecclesiology, and the Limits of Ecumenism
Most important theological volume in the entire encyclopedia.
Why?
Because after a century of dialogue, the greatest obstacles to full communion are no longer necessarily Christology or Trinitarian doctrine.
They are questions of:
- Church authority
- Primacy
- Synodality
- Ecclesiology
- Ministry
The Papacy as the Central Ecumenical Question
Roman Catholic Position
The Catholic Church teaches:
- The Bishop of Rome is successor of Saint Peter.
- The Pope exercises a unique ministry of unity.
- Papal primacy has universal significance.
- The titles “Vicar of Christ” and “Successor of Peter” express that ministry.
Key documents include:
- Pastor Aeternus (First Vatican Council)
- Lumen Gentium
- Ut Unum Sint
Eastern Orthodox Position
Most Orthodox churches affirm:
- A primacy of honor.
- Historical significance of Rome.
- Rejection of universal jurisdiction as later defined.
Thus the debate is not whether Rome had primacy, but what kind of primacy.
Anglican Perspectives
Views range from:
- Recognition of a universal primatial role.
- Acceptance of a symbolic Petrine ministry.
- Rejection of universal jurisdiction.
Protestant Perspectives
Many Protestant traditions reject:
- Universal papal jurisdiction.
- Claims of papal supremacy.
- Necessity of a universal bishop.
Some view the papacy positively as a historical office; others see it as incompatible with their ecclesiology.
Part I: Petrine Theology
Topics:
- Saint Peter in the New Testament
- Petrine texts
- Matthew 16
- John 21
- Acts
Part II: Historical Development of the Papacy
Topics:
- Early Roman primacy
- Patristic evidence
- Medieval papacy
- Gregorian reforms
Part III: Primacy and Synodality
One of the most important contemporary topics.
Recent dialogues have increasingly explored whether primacy and synodality can be understood together rather than as opposites.
Part IV: Ecumenical Dialogues on Primacy
Major commissions:
- Catholic–Orthodox
- Catholic–Anglican
- Lutheran–Catholic
Landmark texts should receive extensive analysis.
Part V: The Limits of Ecumenism
A crucial concluding section.
Questions:
- Can unity exist without agreement on authority?
- Is visible unity possible without a common ministry?
- Is papal primacy the greatest remaining obstacle?
- Can differentiated communion provide a future model?
VOLUME X: Bilateral and Multilateral Dialogues
Separate Sections
- Catholic–Orthodox
- Catholic–Lutheran
- Catholic–Anglican
- Orthodox–Oriental Orthodox
- Reformed–Methodist
- Baptist dialogues
Landmark Documents
- Joint Declaration on Justification
- ARCIC texts
- BEM (Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry)
Synopsis
The documentary heart of ecumenical theology.
VOLUME XI: Regional Ecumenical Movements
Regions
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Latin America
- Middle East
- Oceania
Organizations:
- Conference of European Churches
- Christian Conference of Asia
Synopsis
Shows how ecumenism developed differently in different contexts.
VOLUME XII: Mission, Social Justice, and Public Witness
Themes
- Mission and evangelism
- Human rights
- Peace movements
- Ecology
- Gender issues
- Poverty
Synopsis
Explores how ecumenism moved beyond doctrine into public action.
VOLUME XIII: Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Independent Church Ecumenism
Topics
- Pentecostal participation
- Evangelical responses
- Charismatic renewal
- Independent churches
Organizations:
- World Evangelical Alliance
Synopsis
Investigates the most dynamic sectors of world Christianity.
VOLUME XIV: Ecumenical Personalities, Documents, and Institutions
Biographical Dictionary
Hundreds of entries on:
- Nathan Söderblom
- Willem Visser ‘t Hooft
- Georges Florovsky
- Yves Congar
Institutional Dictionary
- Councils
- Commissions
- Networks
- Agencies
Synopsis
A reference volume for quick consultation.
VOLUME XV: Contemporary Ecumenism and Future Horizons
Themes
- Digital ecumenism
- Global South Christianity
- Migration
- Synodality
- Unity and diversity
- Ecumenism in the 21st century
Concluding Sections
- Future models of Christian unity
- Remaining theological obstacles
- Emerging ecumenical paradigms
Synopsis
A forward-looking assessment of where ecumenism may be heading.
VOLUME XVI: Ecumenical Institutions
The modern ecumenical movement is not only a theological story; it is also a story of institutions.
Global Bodies
- World Council of Churches
- World Communion of Reformed Churches
- Lutheran World Federation
- World Methodist Council
- Baptist World Alliance
- World Evangelical Alliance
- Christian Conference of Asia
- Conference of European Churches
- All Africa Conference of Churches
- Caribbean Conference of Churches
- Middle East Council of Churches
- Pacific Conference of Churches
Foundational Gatherings
- World Missionary Conference
- Faith and Order Conferences
- Life and Work Conferences
WCC Assemblies
Each assembly deserves its own article:
- Amsterdam (1948)
- Evanston (1954)
- New Delhi (1961)
- Uppsala (1968)
- Nairobi (1975)
- Vancouver (1983)
- Canberra (1991)
- Harare (1998)
- Porto Alegre (2006)
- Busan (2013)
- Karlsruhe (2022)
These assemblies shaped twentieth- and twenty-first-century ecumenism.
Essential Ecumenical Commissions
Faith and Order
- Origins
- Theology
- Documents
- Influence
- Commission on World Mission and Evangelism
- Life and Work Movement
- Justice, Peace and Creation Process
- Commission of the Churches on International Affairs
- Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
- Joint Working Group between the Roman Catholic Church and WCC
Each of these generated major theological and social initiatives.
Bilateral Dialogue Commissions
Catholic–Orthodox
International Mixed Commission
Catholic–Anglican
ARCIC
Catholic–Lutheran
International Lutheran–Roman Catholic Commission
Catholic–Reformed
Catholic–Methodist
Orthodox–Oriental Orthodox
Anglican–Orthodox
Lutheran–Orthodox
Reformed–Orthodox
Pentecostal Dialogues
These commissions have produced hundreds of pages of agreed statements.
National Councils of Churches
Significant national council:
- National Council of Churches
- Canadian Council of Churches
- National Council of Churches in India
- Christian Council of Sweden
- Churches Together in England
There are more than a hundred national ecumenical councils worldwide.
Specialized Ecumenical Agencies
The encyclopedia should also include:
Student Movements
- World Student Christian Federation
Youth Organizations
- Ecumenical Youth Council initiatives
Women’s Organizations
- World Day of Prayer movement
- Ecumenical women’s networks
Mission Organizations
- International Missionary Council
- Mission councils
Relief and Development
- ACT Alliance
- Church World Service
- Christian Aid
- Bread for the World
These bodies shaped practical ecumenism.
VOLUME XVI: Roman Catholicism and Ecumenical Movements Since Vatican II (1962–Present)
Rationale : Before Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church generally viewed the ecumenical movement with caution and often stood outside the institutional structures of modern ecumenism. After Vatican II, it became one of the principal actors in global ecumenical dialogue, even while not becoming a member of the World Council of Churches.
This volume (Extended Volume-9) would document perhaps the most important ecumenical development of the twentieth century.
PART I – Catholic Attitudes Before Vatican II
Historical Background
- Catholic ecclesiology before 1962
- “Return” ecumenism
- The Malines Conversations
- Early Catholic ecumenists
- The influence of Yves Congar
- The influence of Paul Couturier
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Relations with Protestants
- Relations with Orthodox Churches
Major Documents
- Mortalium Animos (1928)
- Pre-conciliar statements
PART II – Vatican II and the Ecumenical Revolution
Pope John XXIII
Major studies on:
- John XXIII
- Calling of the Council
- Ecumenical vision
Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity
Key figures:
- Augustin Bea
- Johannes Willebrands
Non-Catholic Observers at Vatican II
- Orthodox participation
- Anglican observers
- Protestant observers
PART III – Unitatis Redintegratio
This section alone could be 150–200 pages.
Topics:
- Drafting history
- Theological foundations
- Reception
- Critiques
- Influence
Major themes:
- Degrees of communion
- Baptismal unity
- Hierarchy of truths
- Conversion and renewal
- Common prayer
PART IV – Catholic–Orthodox Relations
Lifting of the Anathemas (1965)
Historic encounter between:
- Paul VI
- Athenagoras I
Major Topics
- Primacy
- Synodality
- Filioque
- Uniatism
- Sacramental communion
International Mixed Commission
Detailed treatment of:
- Munich (1982)
- Bari (1987)
- Ravenna (2007)
- Chieti (2016)
- Alexandria and later statements
PART V – Catholic–Anglican Relations
ARCIC
Theological agreements on:
- Eucharist
- Ministry
- Authority
- Salvation
Major Personalities
- Michael Ramsey
- Robert Runcie
- George Carey
Obstacles
- Women’s ordination
- Human sexuality
- Authority structures
PART VI – Catholic–Lutheran Relations
Landmark Event
Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1999)
Major topics:
- Justification controversy
- Reception
- Lutheran–Catholic Commission
- Commemorations of the Reformation
Significant Figures
- Johannes Willebrands
- Walter Kasper
PART VII – Catholic Relations with Reformed, Methodist, Baptist, and Pentecostal Churches
- Reformed Dialogue
- Methodist Dialogue
- Baptist Dialogue
- Pentecostal Dialogue
- Evangelical Dialogue
Special emphasis on:
- Charismatic renewal
- Pneumatology
- Mission
PART VIII – Roman Catholic Participation in the Ecumenical Movement
Joint Working Group
Between the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC.
Catholic Participation in:
- Faith and Order Commission
- Mission and Evangelism
- Ecumenical theological commissions
Areas of Cooperation
- Human rights
- Peace
- Development
- Ecology
PART IX – Papal Ecumenism
Dedicated studies of:
Paul VI
John Paul II
Especially:
- Ut Unum Sint
- Ecumenical pilgrimages
Benedict XVI
Francis
Themes:
- Synodality
- Fraternity
- Ecumenism of encounter
PART X – Ecumenical Spirituality
Major themes:
- Prayer for Unity
- Monastic ecumenism
- Ecumenical communities
- Spiritual ecumenism
Important movements:
- Taizé Community
- Focolare Movement
- Sant’Egidio Community
PART XI – Catholic Ecumenism in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
Asia
- Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences
- Indian ecumenical initiatives
- Catholic–Orthodox dialogue in the Middle East
Africa
- Inculturation and ecumenism
- African Independent Churches
Latin America
- CELAM
- Liberation theology and ecumenism
PART XII – Assessment and Future Directions
Topics:
- Reception of Vatican II
- Ecumenical stagnation and progress
- Synodality and unity
- Full communion models
- Ecumenism in the Global South
- Future prospects
Review Topics
- Edinburgh 1910 and the Birth of the Modern Ecumenical Movement
- The World Council of Churches and Global Ecumenism
- Roman Catholicism and Ecumenical Movements Since Vatican II
Volume-XVII: Critiques, Controversies, and the Unfinished Quest for Unity
Sections might include:
- Theological Critiques of Ecumenism
- Orthodox Opposition to Ecumenism
- Traditionalist Catholic Responses
- Evangelical and Fundamentalist Critiques
- Pentecostal Perspectives
- Ecumenism and Doctrinal Relativism
- Ecumenism and Ecclesiology
- Why Full Unity Has Not Been Achieved
- New Fragmentations in Global Christianity
- Is Ecumenism a Success or Failure?
- Ecumenism as a Sign of Division
- Future Models of Christian Unity
Volume-XVIII: Ecumenism and Global Politics
Church Unity, International Relations, Public Theology, and Global Governance
The modern ecumenical movement emerged in the same century that witnessed world wars, ideological conflicts, decolonization, globalization, and the rise of international institutions. Ecumenical bodies often acted as unofficial diplomatic networks connecting churches across national, ideological, and cultural boundaries.
PART I – Theoretical Foundations
Religion and International Relations
Topics:
- Religion in world politics
- Churches as transnational actors
- Faith-based diplomacy
- Soft power and religion
- Global civil society
Ecumenism as a Political Phenomenon
Questions:
- Can churches influence international politics?
- Are ecumenical organizations political actors?
- What is public theology?
PART II – Ecumenism and Colonialism
A neglected but crucial field.
Mission and Empire
Topics:
- Christian missions and colonial expansion
- European imperial structures
- Indigenous Christian responses
Anti-Colonial Ecumenism
Case studies:
- India
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- South Africa
Many emerging churches demanded that ecumenism become less European and more global.
PART III – Ecumenism and the World Wars
First World War
Impact on international Christianity.
Second World War
Responses to:
- Fascism
- Nazism
- Totalitarianism
Important figures:
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Willem Visser ‘t Hooft
Resistance Networks
Church cooperation during wartime.
PART IV – Ecumenism and the Cold War
This could be one of the largest sections.
East–West Tensions
Topics:
- Communist states
- Religious freedom
- Soviet bloc churches
- Western churches
The WCC and the Cold War
Questions:
- Was the ecumenical movement politically neutral?
- Did it favor certain ideological positions?
- How did churches behind the Iron Curtain participate?
Orthodox Churches and Soviet Politics
A major area of scholarship.
PART V – Ecumenism and Human Rights
Human Rights Theology
Topics:
- Religious liberty
- Freedom of conscience
- Minority rights
Church Advocacy
Relationships with:
- United Nations
- International NGOs
- Human rights networks
PART VI – Ecumenism and Decolonization
Africa
Ecumenical support for liberation movements.
Asia
National churches and independence.
Latin America
Churches and political transformation.
PART VII – Ecumenism and Apartheid
A full section is justified.
South African Churches
Organizations:
- South African Council of Churches
Figures:
- Desmond Tutu
- Beyers Naudé
WCC Programs Against Racism
One of the most controversial episodes in ecumenical history.
PART VIII – Liberation Theology and Ecumenism
Latin America
Figures:
- Gustavo Gutiérrez
- Leonardo Boff
Topics:
- Poverty
- Justice
- Structural sin
Political Controversies
Debates concerning Marxist analysis and Christian theology.
PART IX – Ecumenism and International Diplomacy
Vatican Diplomacy
The Holy See as an international actor.
Ecumenical Diplomacy
Relations with:
- Governments
- International organizations
- NGOs
Peacebuilding
Case studies:
- Middle East
- Northern Ireland
- Sudan
- Korea
PART X – Ecumenism and Global Governance
United Nations Engagement
Relations with:
- UN agencies
- Humanitarian programs
- Sustainable development agendas
Climate Politics
Ecumenical responses to:
- Climate change
- Environmental justice
PART XI -Ecumenism and Contemporary Geopolitics
Russia and Ukraine
Church divisions and ecumenical implications.
Middle East Christianity
Ecumenical responses to conflict.
China
Christian unity under political constraints.
Migration and Refugees
Church cooperation across borders.
PART XII – Critiques of Political Ecumenism
This section is essential for balance.
Conservative Critiques
Claims that ecumenical bodies became excessively political.
Left-Wing Critiques
Claims that churches remained too cautious.
Questions
- Did ecumenism become politicized?
- Did political activism overshadow church unity?
- Can ecumenism remain neutral?
Volume XIX: Ecumenism, Biblical Interpretation, and Bible Translation
Many church divisions originated not primarily from politics but from different ways of reading Scripture.
The Reformation itself was, in large measure, a hermeneutical revolution.
Why This Volume Is Essential
Ecumenical dialogue repeatedly returns to questions such as:
- How should Scripture be interpreted?
- What is the relationship between Scripture and Tradition?
- Who possesses teaching authority?
- Can doctrinal consensus emerge from differing hermeneutical approaches?
- Can a common biblical theology support Christian unity?
Without addressing these questions, ecumenism remains superficial.
Part I: Scripture and Unity in the Early Church
Topics:
- Formation of the biblical canon
- Patristic exegesis
- Rule of faith
- Apostolic tradition
- Authority in interpretation
Figures:
- Origen
- Jerome
- Augustine of Hippo
Part II: Reformation Hermeneutics
Topics:
- Sola Scriptura
- Catholic responses
- Confessional interpretation
- Authority and Scripture
Figures:
- Martin Luther
- John Calvin
Part III: Modern Biblical Scholarship
Topics:
- Historical-critical method
- Literary criticism
- Canonical criticism
- Narrative theology
- Reception history
Questions:
- Did modern biblical criticism help ecumenism?
- Did it create new divisions?
Part IV: Ecumenical Bible Translation
This is a major field often overlooked.
Organizations:
- United Bible Societies
Projects:
- Common Language translations
- Interconfessional translations
- Shared translation principles
Part V: Ecumenical Documents on Scripture
Key texts:
- Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry
- Faith and Order documents
- Catholic-Protestant agreements
Part VI: Hermeneutics and Christian Unity
Major unresolved questions:
- Baptism
- Eucharist
- Ministry
- Church authority
- Sacraments
- Ordination
- Moral theology
This volume would reveal that many ecumenical disputes are fundamentally disputes about interpretation.
Volume XX: Ecumenism in the Eyes of Other Religions
Christian Unity, Religious Pluralism, and Interfaith Perspectives
The ecumenical movement has never operated in a vacuum.
As Christianity encountered:
- Judaism
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Sikhism
- Jainism
- Indigenous religions
- New Religious Movements
new questions emerged:
- Does Christian unity strengthen interfaith dialogue?
- Does ecumenism appear as internal Christian reconciliation?
- Is ecumenism a step toward broader religious cooperation?
- How do non-Christian traditions understand Christian denominational divisions?
Many non-Christian observers have often been puzzled by the existence of thousands of Christian denominations.
Part I – Ecumenism and the Theology of Religions
Topics:
- Exclusivism
- Inclusivism
- Pluralism
- Comparative theology
Important figures:
- Karl Rahner
- John Hick
- Raimon Panikkar
Part II – Jewish Perspectives on Christian Ecumenism
A major section.
Topics:
Historical Background
- Jewish-Christian relations
- Christian anti-Judaism
- Post-Holocaust developments
Vatican II and Judaism
Particularly:
- Nostra Aetate
- Jewish responses
Questions:
- Does Christian unity improve Jewish-Christian relations?
- How have Jewish scholars interpreted ecumenical developments?
Important personalities would receive dedicated entries.
Part III – Islamic Perspectives on Christian Ecumenism
Topics:
Classical Muslim Views of Christian Division
How Muslim theologians historically viewed:
- Catholics
- Orthodox
- Protestants
Modern Muslim Assessments
Questions:
- Does Christian unity strengthen Christian witness?
- How do Muslim scholars interpret denominational diversity?
Organizations and dialogue initiatives would be examined.
Part IV – Hindu Perspectives on Ecumenism
This section is particularly important for South Asian scholarship.
Questions:
- How do Hindu thinkers understand Christian denominationalism?
- Is Christian ecumenism comparable to Hindu pluralism?
Important figures:
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Vimram Anbedkar
Topics:
- Missionary encounters
- Indian Christian unity movements
- Ashram movements
Part V – Buddhist Perspectives
Topics:
- Buddhist-Christian dialogue
- Monastic encounters
- Spirituality and peacebuilding
Questions:
- How do Buddhists perceive Christian unity efforts?
- Are there parallels between ecumenism and Buddhist inter-sect cooperation?
Part VI: Sikh Perspectives
Particularly important in the Indian context.
Topics:
- Christian unity and Sikh-Christian dialogue
- Mission and identity
- Religious coexistence
Questions:
- How have Sikh scholars interpreted Christian fragmentation?
- Does ecumenism change Christian engagement with Sikh communities?
Part VII – Indigenous and Tribal Religious Perspectives
Topics:
- Mission churches
- Ecumenical cooperation among indigenous Christians
- Cultural identity and Christian unity
Part VIII – Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue
A crucial distinction.
Ecumenism
Christian–Christian relations.
Interfaith Dialogue
Christian–non-Christian relations.
The encyclopedia should carefully trace where these two movements overlap and where they diverge.
Organizations such as:
- World Council of Churches
would be examined for their role in interreligious engagement.
Part IX – Critiques from Other Religions
This section is academically essential.
Some recurring critiques include:
From Jewish Scholars
- Christian unity does not automatically resolve historical theological issues.
From Muslim Scholars
- Denominational fragmentation raises questions about authority and doctrine.
From Hindu Thinkers
- Christianity often advocates unity while exhibiting internal divisions.
From Buddhist Observers
- Institutional unity may not necessarily produce spiritual harmony.
These critiques should be presented fairly and with documentation.
Part X – Global Religious Pluralism and the Future of Ecumenism
Major questions:
- Can Christian ecumenism survive in a multi-religious world?
- Does religious pluralism encourage Christian cooperation?
- Is ecumenism becoming part of a broader interfaith movement?
- What is the future relationship between Christian unity and global religious dialogue?
Ecumenism in Asia and the Indian Experience
Topics:
- National Council of Churches in India
- Church Union movements in India
- The formation of the Church of South India
- The formation of the Church of North India
- Orthodox–Catholic relations in India
- Ecumenism and Dalit theology
- Ecumenism and Hindu-Christian dialogue
- Ecumenism in the context of Indian religious pluralism
Indeed, one could argue that India is one of the most important laboratories of ecumenism in the modern world because Christian unity efforts there have always unfolded within a deeply plural religious environment.
Volume XXI: Ecumenism in the Twenty-First Century: Assessment, Crisis, and Future Prospects
Thematic Studies
- Has ecumenism succeeded?
- Has ecumenism failed?
- Is visible unity still possible?
- The rise of non-denominational Christianity
- The Global South and the future of unity
- Digital ecumenism
- Migration and transnational Christianity
- Synodality and primacy
- Ecumenism and religious pluralism
- Prospects for Christian unity in 2050 and beyond
Critical Ecumenical Studies
- Anti-ecumenical movements
- Fundamentalist critiques
- Orthodox critiques
- Traditionalist critiques
- Failure and fragmentation
