Ecumenical Ecclesiology: Unity, Diversity and Otherness in a Fragmented World (Ecclesiological Investigations)

This is a rich collection of fifteen articles by European, North American and Asian theologians who are concerned with the concept, life, unity and future of the church. It offers a wealth of broad perspectives on ecclesiology by scholars from Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox backgrounds. The first section, ‘Perspectives on Ecumenical Ecclesiology', comprises reflections on postmodern ecclesiologies as well as on the development and problems concerning ecumenical methods and models of unity. The second section, ‘Communion Ecclesiology and Otherness', provides some pertinent deliberations on how an ecclesiology of communion can integrate otherness. In particular, Zizioulas' communion ecclesiology is critically examined, the possibility for a retrieval of Eucharistic theology between Catholics and Orthodox is put forward, and Tillard's communion ecclesiology is appraised as offering resources for innerdenominational otherness. The final section, ‘Ecclesiology in Global Contexts', considers critically the possibility of evangelical ecclesiology as an answer to ethnic impaired Christian community. The role of the (Catholic) Church and its values in Europe and vis-à-vis the European Constitution is examined. The Church of Nigeria's Constitutional Revision (2005) and its ecclesial- ecumenical implications comes into focus, and three notable concepts of unity, as developed by three Indian scholars, S.K. George, John Sadiq and Karem David, are evaluated. Finally, the Japanese diaspora in the States is appraised as a place where a particular Japanese Christian vision could emerge through the "internationalist ecclesiology" developed by Japanese Christian missionaries. Driving the haywain : Where stands the church 'catholic' today? / Gerard Mannion Seeking unity : reflecting on methods in contemporary ecumenical dialogue / Gesa E. Thiessen The struggle for an organic, conciliar and diverse church : models of church unity in earlier stages of the ecumenical dialogue / Miriam Haar Church and covenant : theological resources for divided denominations : Edwin C. van Driel Comprehensive vision : the ecumenical potential of a lost ideal / Andrew Pierce Integrity, alternative aggressions, and impaired communion / Wendy Dackson The church and the 'other' : questions of ecclesial and divine communion / Paul M. Collins Being church : a critique of Zizioulas' communion ecclesiology / Travis E. Ables Retrieving eucharistic ecclesiology / Radu Bordeianu Communion ecclesiology and ecumenical experience : resources for inner-denominational otherness / Brian P. Flanagan Evangelical ecclesiology as an answer to ethnic impaired Christian community? : an inquiry into the theology of Miroslav Volf / Eddy Van der Borght On being a European Catholic : the politics of inclusion encounters an ecclesiology of exclusion / Julie Clague Instruments of faith and unity in canon law : the Church of Nigeria constitutional revision of 2005 / Evan F. Kuehn Sacral authority and pastoral ministry : a shamanic inculturation of the Protestant church in Korea / Hak Joon Lee Confucianism, internationalism, patriotism and Protestantism : the ecclesiological matrix of Japanese Christian activists in Japan and the US diaspora / Madeline Duntley This collection of articles by European, North American and Asian theologians is concerned with the concept, life, unity and future of the Church. It offers broad perspectives on ecclesiology by scholars from Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox backgrounds