Leaning Into the Spirit : Ecumenical Perspectives on Discernment and Decision-making in the Church

"The most important question we need to ask ourselves is where the Christianity of the 21st century is headed. This is the time to seek transformative ecumenism, and this collection of essays will prove to be a very meaningful resource to share wisdom and vision for the 21st century ecumenism." -The Rev'd Prof. Sang Chang, World Council of Churches (WCC) Asia President "Christianity's increasing global dynamics and internal fragmentation call for new perspectives on ecumenism. This collection of articles offers an in-depth review of global ecumenical challenges and it provides solid information about new and promising ways of benefitting from inner-Christian otherness." -Prof. Werner G. Jeanrond, Professor of Dogmatics, University of Oslo, Norway "This volume gives fresh hope and encouragement to those who faithfully dedicate their lives to the unity of the Church, and to those who serve their churches and their ecumenical commissions. The present volume presents a compelling testimony that the Ecumenical Movement is flourishing, and that its agenda is as relevant today as it has always been." -The Rev'd. Canon Dr. John Gibaut, Director for Unity, Faith and Order This book contains fresh insights into ecumenism and, notwithstanding claims of an "ecumenical winter," affirms the view that we are actually moving into a "new ecumenical spring." It offers new theological insights in the areas of Christology, Pneumatology and Trinitarian theology, and discusses developments in ecumenism in the USA, UK, Australia, India, and Africa, as well as in ecumenical institutions such as the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission (ARCIC). Front Matter ....Pages i-xxvii Introduction (Virginia Miller, David Moxon)....Pages 1-10 Front Matter ....Pages 11-11 SpiritChristology: Rethinking Christo-Centric Theology (Michael Welker)....Pages 13-21 God’s Spirit, the Human Spirit, and the Outpouring of the Spirit (Michael Welker)....Pages 23-38 Theological Horizons for an Ecumenical Future: A Response to Michael Welker (Stephen Pickard)....Pages 39-45 Front Matter ....Pages 47-47 A Critical Reflection of the Role of “Context” in Discernment, Decision-Making and Reception (Mary-Anne Plaatjies-Van Huffel)....Pages 49-64 Receptive Ecumenism in Africa: Lessons Learned from the Actual Faith of Everyday Christians (Stan Chu Ilo)....Pages 65-84 Ecumenical Thrusts for Discernment from the Perspectives of the Indian Subcontinent (Paul Pulikkan)....Pages 85-99 Chiara Lubich and Decision-Making: A Spiritual Methodology of Mutual Reception Based on Christ Crucified and Forsaken (Callan Slipper)....Pages 101-108 Front Matter ....Pages 109-109 The ChurchLocal, Regional and Universal: A Delicate Balance. A Recent Ecclesiological Statement of ARCIC III (Adelbert Denaux)....Pages 111-129 United Not Absorbed: The Malines Conversation Revisited (Keith Pecklers)....Pages 131-137 The Anniversary of the Reformation as a Moment for Ecclesial Learning (Gerard Kelly)....Pages 139-146 Receptive Ecumenism in the Context of Bilateral Dialogues (Raymond K. Williamson)....Pages 147-157 Front Matter ....Pages 159-159 Reconciling Theology: Three Concepts for Convergence (Paul Avis)....Pages 161-180 A Ministry of Mary? The Question of the Ordination of Women Revisited in Light of the Theology of Complementarity (Virginia Miller)....Pages 181-197 Ecumenism for a Global Church: Can the Churches of the West and Those of the Global South Learn from Each Other? (Thomas Rausch)....Pages 199-215 Discerning the Call of the Spirit to Theological-Ecclesial Renewal: Notes on Being Reasonable and Responsible in Receptive Ecumenical Learning (Paul D. Murray)....Pages 217-234 Does Receptive Ecumenism Have a Future? (Peter Carnley)....Pages 235-250 Back Matter ....Pages 251-261 This book "offers new theological insights in the areas of Christology, Pneumatology and Trinitarian theology, and discusses developments in ecumenism in the USA, UK, Australia, India, and Africa, as well as in ecumenical institutions such as the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission (ARCIC)"--Page 4 of cover