Ecumenism has been touched upon in other threads and this has got me thinking a lot about the subject. I think it's far more complicated than we make out sometimes What is ecumenism? What is the aim of ecumenism? How much should we be willing to compromise and accept? Is complete organisational unity necessary?
1. I believe no noticeable progress has been made in the last few decades when it comes to ecumenical efforts. In principle, it could be a godly venture but I'm afraid it has become more of an end in itself for its enthusiasts, often at the expense of truth and theological conflict, rather than a brotherly search for unity. 2. The communion of the distinct ecclesiastical bodies that sadly still remain separated to this day. 3. Nothing that pertains to the heart of the Christian religion, namely the Christological doctrines enshrined in the ecumenical creeds, the doctrines of justification by faith alone, salvation by grace alone, the Holy Scriptures as the rule of faith in the Church, Christ as the sole mediator and God as the only object of worship. 4. At least, I would say it's extremely desirable since it was assumed, since the apostolic age, that the faithful should be under the bishop and, those in turn, in communion with each other. "See that you all follow the Bishop, as Christ does the Father, and the presbyterium as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as a command of God. Let no one do anything connected with the Church without the Bishop. Let that be considered a certain eucharist which is under the leadership of the Bishop, or one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the Bishop appears, there let the multitude of the people be; just as where Christ Jesus is, there is the catholic church. It is not permitted with the Bishop either to baptize or to celebrate an agape; but whatever he shall approve of, that is well-pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be assured and certain." - Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, c. 111 AD.
Anything describable by the adjective "ecumenical" is worldwide, universal, all-encompassing, and total. Modern "Ecumenism" should be called "Compromise", since it has nothing to do with encouraging unity based on one universal set of doctrines. It is, rather, an attempt to say, outright, that fundamental differences don't matter. It wants to create shallow unity based on tolerance. If Ecumenism was today what it used to be (converting people from error to the truth) I'd support it. Right now, it seems mostly to consist of share-and-care support groups, coffee socials, "ecumenical breakfasts", knitting circles, and hugs. There's zero substance, and it's more inclined to support error and corrupt the ancient faith, than to promote a true unity in the essence of Christ crucified. In a truly ecumenical movement, Protestants would demand that justification by faith alone is part of the very essence of the faith, and about 60-70% of Christianity would tell them to get lost. The same goes for Rome and Papal infallibility. Modern Ecumenism is about covering up the important things to unite on the unimportant. Rome and Lutheranism may have signed an accord on Justification a few years ago saying they fundamentally agree together, but you haven't seen Rome dropping her theology of merits, graces, and other novelties, have you? Every side that practices this is just promoting rubbish "feel-good"s. How much should we be willing to compromise? Galatians 1:8: "though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Accursed be Ecumenism, which allows many gospels. Blessed be those who fight for one way and one truth, who at least have the guts to do so in our secularized age. Complete organizational unity will be impossible so long as there is sin. It's like wanting a one-world government marxist utopia: dreams.
And speaking of Ignatius, here are some enlightening thoughts on the ancient Father's ecclesiological thinking made by John Zizioulas, Eastern Orthodox metropolitan of Pergamon (modern day Bergama, Turkey) and taken from his book "Eucharist, Bishop, Church."
I think we can strive for the impossible ideal in the knowledge and hope it will be realised in the end. When Christ comes then the church shall at last be gathered in and perfected for all time. There's that beautiful vision in the future that prods me into working for unity here and now. Just as we will never be perfected in this life shouldn't stop us trying to live more sanctified lives so the same is with church unity I believe. I think one way around this is viewing things on a local congregational level, viewing individual local congegations rather than as a denomination. Decentralisation is the future for ecumenical unity I think
We have several ecumenical prayers in the Book of Common Prayer 1979. ...Scottish Monk 1. For Joy in God's Creation (p. 814) O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 3. For the Human Family (p. 815) O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 5. For Peace Among the Nations (p. 816) Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 14. For the Unity of the Church (p. 818) O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 40. For Knowledge of God's Creation (p. 827) Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 41. For the Conservation of Natural Resources (p. 827) Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 44. For the Future of the Human Race (p. 828) O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Book of Common Prayer 1979 (Oxford)
Anglican ecumenism cannot be spoken of without reference to Articles 19 and 21, the jist of which is that anything decided between Christians is of no use unless it shall be Scriptural, and that convening ecumenical councils deserves no presumption of righteous judgement. XIX. Of the Church. The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ's ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred; so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith. XXI. Of the Authority of General Councils. General Councils may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of Princes. And when they be gathered together, (forasmuch as they be an assembly of men, whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and Word of God,) they may err, and sometimes have erred, even in things pertaining unto God. Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared that they be taken out of holy Scripture. Ecumenism vis-a-vis Rome obviously did not exist. There is something to be said for the middle ground between the Reformed and Lutheran positions on various topics, but the ground was shifting rapidly in thte 16th century and the effort was NOT to be ecumenical but rather to get it right Biblically.
I think of all the different parts of Christianity to be like different instruments in one same orchestra. We will not loose our value if we play together, the violin will remain violin the cello a cello, the flue a flute and so on.... I think the mistake will occur if someone tries to clean his flute with the violin tool or if the cello decides to tune all instruments on his own tuner... I hope this is not a silly image and it makes a bit of sense...
1) Ecumenism refers to efforts to build better institutional relationships among Christians. Of course, the first, and critical, stumbling block is joint acceptance that the Holy Spirit is working in the all the churches involved. 2) First, and foremost, the goal of ecumenism is recognize the unity of all Christians, no matter what their style of worship and interpretation of various theological issues. This requires understanding of the other's beliefs regarding essentials of the faith. Secondarily, the goal is inter-communion or in the extreme, full communion. 3) Ecumenism is not about compromise. There is but one gospel, one faith. It is the immaturity of the elder sons among us that the degree of compromise is an issue. We have separated brothers and sisters. 4) Complete organizational unity has never been necessary. If we had Ecumenical Councils in the 21st century, we would better understand the meaning of ecumenical and ecumenism. As was the case from the beginning, there can be distinct, separate Christian churches. ======================================= In the end, we must be able to understand what it means to understand that the Holy Spirit guides the Roman Catholic Church, and also the Orthodox Churches, and also the Anglican Communion, and also the Methodist churches and also the Baptist churches. ====================================== As an aside, we in the US are in a very different situation from others. We have no national Church and will never have one. Acceptance of the fact that those in other Churches are led by the Spirit of God is part of the very fabric of our country. Well over 90% of Americans believe in God and seek Him. 1/2 of citizens go to church regularly. We understand that Scripture teaches that ALL who seek Him shall fine Him, ALL! Yes, we are in a spiritual crisis in the US. Our fundamentalists refuse to accept the rest as "true" Christians. This too shall pass.
I feel the need to add another thought. This season, I twice stood in unison and unity with my fellow Christians to the finale of Handel's Messiah, after the Christmas story had been shared in Scripture and in hymn and song. Once was at a Christmas concert in Disneyworld. The other was at a Rockette's performance is Nashville. Perhaps this is what unity and ecumenism is really about.
Unity is about the destruction of heresy & schism, and the subsequent living in love and charity with our neighbour. Singing and enjoying the Messiah is about as ecumenical as Romans and Anglicans agreeing to "unite" by using sappy campfire-guitar songs and throwing out Latin and Hymns, respectively. Ecumenism's basically modernist rubbish. Augustine, and several councils did believe that we should receive Donatist and Arian clergy on the basis of their sound Orders, but only after they had utterly renounced their error. The Catholic Church will always be small.
Who builds the stumbling blocks against unity? (a) Clergy (b) People in the pews (c) Secular leaders (d) Others
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many (Heb. 12:14-15; New Living Translation 2007).