Reshaping Ecumenical Theology: The Church Made Whole?

Reshaping Ecumenical Theology is a major contribution to the study of the Church. It provides clear and authoritative orientation for the student, while probing deep into a range of key issues in ecclesiology and ecumenical dialogue from a critical standpoint that will stimulate discussion among scholars and ecumenists. It reclaims some old orthodoxies, while challenging some new ones, and points to a deeper and more personal engagement with the major traditions of the Christian Church as the way to fuller unity and more effective mission. Reshaping Ecumenical Theology argues that the values of difference and diversity and the priority of mission and evangelisation must shape our picture of unity. It transcends old arguments about 'establishment', by showing that all churches are compelled to develop a constructive relationship to the modern state, wherever possible, if they are to be effective in mission. The central ecumenical notion of 'reception' is re-interpreted, not as the faithful unquestioningly receiving the teaching of church authorities, but as the process whereby the whole Church discerns the truth of new developments. The mantra 'baptism is complete sacramental initiation' is challenged, and the place of confirmation is secured within a total process of initiation. The ministry of the episcopate is affirmed, but only by being related to the gospel on which the Church is founded. The nature of communion is examined and the imperative of maintaining it against divisive tendencies is affirmed. 'The hermeneutics of unity' shows that we are shaped by each other through the conflict or rivalry of traditions: 'We are what we are because you are what you are'.

Table of Contents:
Preface / 1. The Church - Unity and Multiplicity / 2. Rethinking Ecumenical Theology / 3. New Paths in Ecumenical Method / 4. The Hermeneutics of Unity / 5. Towards a Deeper Reception of 'Reception' / 6. Confessionalism or a Confessing Church? / 7. Episcopacy : Focus of Unity or Cause of Division? / 8. Building and Breaking Communion / 9. Ethics of Communion: The New Frontier in Ecumenism / 10. Forging Communion in the Face of Difference / Index of Names

About the Author :
Paul Avis is Honorary Professor in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK, and Editor-in-Chief of Ecclesiology.

Review :
This book is an excellent guide to help navigate the perplexing and often precarious waters of ecumenical dialogue, to steer the reader towards significant questions, and to emphasize why ecumenism is so vital for the church. Overall, this is a rare book of academic acumen and pastoral relevance. Reshaping Ecumenical Theology would be a good book for students or others who know little about ecumenism and need a simple, general introduction to the search for Christian unity. In Reshaping Ecumenical Theology: The Church Made Whole? Paul Avis presents a penetrating analysis of the current state of ecumenical theology and a fresh vision for its renewal. Skilfully summarising a huge amount of source material, Avis provides a concise overview of ecumenical theology before outlining ideas for 'reshaping' it in creative ways that open up new possibilities for tackling as yet unresolved issues ... As Avis' readers have come to expect from him, this present volume is clear-sighted, highly readable and engaging. This book is an excellent introduction to the ecumenical movement. It helps to see where the ecumenical movement has been and how to move it forward. [This] work contributes to ecumenical rethinking in at least three respects. First, it offers a simple and largely nontechnical review of successes, failures, and pitfalls of ecumenical work. Technical jargon such as "reconciled diversity", "differentiated consensus", and "reception" is clearly explained. Avis shows knowledge of a breadth of historic and contemporary ecumenical documents and bilateral dialogue reports among different traditions, thereby helping readers appreciate the ecumenical successes to date. Second, the author delineates how ecumenical work is a "pneumatological process" of discerning the Spirit in the spiritual, confessional, intellectual, and relational aspects across the churches/traditions. Third, practical wisdom is offered for ecumenists, which adds to other important and existing work in the field. This book is an excellent guide to help navigate the perplexing and often precarious waters of ecumenical dialogue, to steer the reader towards significant questions, and to emphasize why ecumenism is so vital for the church. Avis's book will certainly challenge some of what has been considered the stayed path of ecumenism to inject more energy and determination to finding a new way forward on the path to full visible unity. As always, Paul Avis writes clearly and attractively. However, in this book, one feels that he reveals not just the depth of his learning but a heart set on fire for the unity of Christ's church. To read a book by Paul Avis is always a delight intellectually but this one is also spiritually moving. ... This is an important book that should be read by all seriously engaged in ecumenical activity. [Avis] writes very lucidly about the ecumenical movement ... He provides some extremely helpful chapters that re-frame the conversation from an either/or standoff ...I was very busy with my highlighter. I warmly commend Dr. Avis's book. It is well-informed, up-to-date, clearly readable, well-argued, and rightly integrates questions of mission with issues of unity. He suggests that of the institutional, intellectual, and devotional aspects, it often the first that causes most problems. He brings a wealth of scholarship and experience to the subject, to produce a thoughtful further book, which carries the debates forward. In the context of an ecumenical movement in which many have lost interest and all passion is spent, Paul Avis sets out some valuable pointers for reshaping ecumenical theology today. He builds on much that has been achieved in theological conversations over many years and on the steps taken by Anglicans to closer communion in the agreements of Meissen, Porvoo and Fetter Lane. Re-shaping requires that we take diversity more seriously, never lose sight of the integral relation of mission and unity, and keep asking questions about the goal of the endeavour. Avis brings his extensive knowledge of church history, Anglicanism and ecumenical dialogue to bear on some of the outstanding, seemingly intractable, issues: episcopacy, primacy, the enduring place of ecclesial identity, and the relation of pulpit and altar fellowship to the ordering of the ministry and the life of the Church, with its underlying question of whether we can speak of first and second order issues. There are two chapters that stand out for me as having the power to take us further. The first the one on reception in which Avis commends the notion of 'open reception' giving an attractive account of its use in Anglicanism and commending its potential for grappling with the hard questions on the ecumenical agenda. The other, perhaps the most important in the book, is the one on ethics and communion. Although to bring the ethics of human sexuality into the arena is fraught with risk, as Avis acknowledges, it is necessary and unavoidable and should be near the top of the ecumenical agenda as a new frontier in ecumenism. His chapter goes a long way to showing how this might be approached. Both of these chapters are as relevant for internal Anglican conversation as for ecumenical dialogue.This is a stimulating read, well written and thought provoking. The book ought to give heart to those who have grown weary in the ecumenical cause. It does offer the promise that there are new insights to be pursued, fresh directions to be followed, and new moves to be made. Avis has no doubt that the quest for visible unity is a Gospel imperative which we cannot turn our backs on if we are to be faithful to the Lord of the Church.