The superb International Journal of Systematic Theology has posted the theme for the 2009 Colin Gunton theological essay contest, which is: Does ecumenical theology have a future?
I think I may actually enter an essay for this one. I’ve thought about doing it for previous years but have never found the topics interesting enough until now. So, for the time being, what says my readership? Does ecumenical theology have a future? If so, what is it?
Go for it, Halden!!!
I believe it has a future in the way John Howard Yoder conceived of it: theology as a project for the whole church, to call the whole church to greater faithfulness to Jesus. The kind of ecumenical theology sometimes advocated, however, of ignoring our differences for the sake of unity, probably doesn’t (or shouldn’t) have a future. I’d read what you have to write on this for sure.
And this helps to solve the problem you shared earlier! An outlet for getting you back on the academic horse. And this, sir, might even make you rich. Think about this: the future of “ecumenical theology” is the emergent church.
Well, I do really just want to be super rich.
I want you to write a piece on ecumenism in the emergent church. Really.
Shut up.
What’s “ecumenical theology” anyway? I’m UCC, but I’ve been influenced by Bonhoeffer (Lutheran), Merton* (Catholic), Hauerwas (Methodist), Barth (don’t know) and others, as well as my own denomination’s giants (the Niebuhr brothers). I think my experience is typical. So if “ecumenical theology” means being influenced by people outside our own denominational tradition, then I think that’s alive and well. I’m a little puzzled that a scholarly journal would suggest such theology has no future.
On the other hand, if by “ecumenical theology,” they mean efforts to explain and (where possible) bridge differences in belief among denominations, then yes, I think that discipline is in trouble. Ironically, the discipline is a victim of its own success– the ecumenical movement of the ’50s and ’60s was so successful that 90% of the laity can’t begin to describe the difference between their denomination and other similar ones. (There’s obviously a huge difference between the UCC and the SBC, but aside from polity, I’d be hard-pressed to explain how Congregationalists and Presbyterians differ.) In fact, the trend is in the opposite direction– with most lay people perceiving no difference among the liberal/mainline Protestant denominations, church growth efforts (e.g., “Still Speaking” in UCC) are emphasizing the distinctiveness of their denominations.
Sorry for the long non-answer from a lurker. Good luck with your article, should you choose to write it.
*-Yes, I know Merton isn’t truly a theologian.
The Love of our Father shown us in Jesus Christ with a transforming power in us by His Spirit. And, in plain language.
I think maufman hits the nail on the head.
“There’s obviously a huge difference between the UCC and the SBC, but aside from polity, I’d be hard-pressed to explain how Congregationalists and Presbyterians differ.”
I also wonder whether church polity itself might be the future of ecumenical theology, given immense recent interest in ecclesiology and the ecumenical situation that maufman describes.
What is “ecumenical theology”?
Lots of people talk about it, but few say what it is. Perhaps you could write about that.
I think I will blog about that, actually, regardless of what I end up doing with the essay itself. Because that is (one of) the million dollar question(s).