Can a Renewal Movement Be Renewed?: Questions for the Future of Ecumenism

by Michael Kinnamon

Overview

There is no doubt that ecumenism occupies a prominent place in the history of the church in the twentieth century: countless churches have been renewed through encounter with Christian sisters and brothers in other confessions and cultures. But it is not clear that this ecumenical impulse will continue to figure prominently in the church’s story.

In this book Michael Kinnamon argues that the ecumenical movement, which has given such energy and direction to the church, needs to be reconceived in a way that provides renewing power for the church in this era — and he shows how this might happen. He names the problems with ecumenism, identifies strengths and accomplishments upon which the church now can build, and suggests practical, concrete steps we can take in the direction of revitalization, especially at the local level.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802870759
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/18/2014
Pages:	175
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Michael Kinnamon is the Spehar-Halligan Visiting Professorof Ecumenical Collaboration in Interreligious Dialogue atSeattle University's School of Theology and Ministry. Amonghis other books is The Vision of the EcumenicalMovement and How It Has Been Impoverishedby Its Friends.

Table of Contents

1 Does Ecumenism Have a Future? 1

2 What Would It Mean to Take the "Next Step" in Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations? 7

3 Is the Ecumenical Movement a Movement for Peace? 21

4 What Can the Churches Say Together About the Church? 33

5 What Can the Churches Say Together About the Environment? 46

6 Can the Tension Between Unity and Justice Be Overcome? 56

7 Has the Ecumenical Movement Become Too "Political"? 66

8 What Is the Way Forward for Catholic-Protestant Relations? 78

9 How Can the Orthodox Help Others Understand Them Better? 89

10 How Are Interfaith Relationships as Challenging as They Are Necessary? 99

11 How Can We Deal with the Tough Issues in Jewish-Christian Relations? 109

12 Are Councils of Churches a Thing of the Past? 125

13 What Does It Take to Be an Ecumenical Leader? 136

14 What Will It Take to Revitalize the Ecumenical Movement? 147

15 Why Care About Christian Unity When There Are So Many Other Things to Worry About? 160

Index 164

Editorial Reviews

03/10/2014
The former general secretary of the National Council of Churches has assembled a series of speeches on the importance of ecumenism into a slim volume that offers good reasons for keeping the fires of cooperation kindled. Kinnamon (The Vision of the Ecumenical Movement and How It Has Been Impoverished by Its Friends) doesn’t shirk the truth: with the decline of mainline Protestant denominations, momentum for ecumenical relations has faltered. Still, there are worthy reasons to work together, not the least of which is theological: the Gospel demands it. In these pages are excellent suggestions for improving communication, forging trust, and creating hospitable working relations among diverse and disparate partners. Chapters on Jewish-Christian relations and interfaith dialogue offer useful dos and don’ts. Kinnamon is a passionate and skilled ecumenical leader, but the answer to the book’s central question remains in doubt. To the extent that the council was successful, it was because most of its members shared common stands on pressing issues. With the rise of non-denominational, evangelical, and Pentecostal churches, unity on pressing issues of the day will be harder to achieve. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

John W. Crossin, OSFS
—United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
"Michael Kinnamon's well-resourced, clear, and thoughtful book reviews past achievements and proposes future directions for American conciliar ecumenism. His very practical, always informative, and sometimes disconcerting observations will challenge readers to deepen their own commitment to Christian unity."

Stanley J. Noffsinger
—Church of the Brethren
"Calls us as the body of Christ to be a greater witness to God's shalom and Christ's peace together than we could ever hope to be as separate communities. . . . A helpful vision for a vital church in the twenty-first century."

Tony Richie
—Society for Pentecostal Studies
"Kinnamon draws on an immense wealth of experience to ask hard questions on what is hindering the ecumenical movement from moving forward as an effective and vital force. His suggestions are affirmative, bold, and clear — and, perhaps more importantly, doable. This book is a must for any who are honest enough humbly to admit a crisis of diminishing energy in the formal ecumenical movement but are nonetheless committed to the renewal of authentic Christian unity as a central and critical task for gospel witness in today's world!"

Rabbi Steve Gutow
—Jewish Council for Public Affairs
"Takes us on a remarkable journey investigating the division between unity and justice among religious movements and institutions. . . . A profoundly important guide."

Sharon E. Watkins
—Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
"If the road forward for the ecumenical movement is at times murky, Kinnamon here indicates a direction. He celebrates progress and identifies practical next steps on the way. Like the circle of light provided by the headlights of a car on a dark night, we see where next to move."

S. Wesley Ariarajah
—Drew University
"Only a very few in the ecumenical movement today are as qualified as Michael Kinnamon to take on some of the thorny questions that plague the movement in our day, and only a few have the knowledge, commitment, and courage to discuss them the way Kinnamon does in this volume. . . . A must-read for those concerned about the future of the ecumenical movement."

Marilyn Mecham
—former president of Ecumenical and Interreligious Leaders Network
"Insightful, direct, and greatly invested in the ecumenical movement, Kinnamon helps us traverse the changing ecumenical landscape with concrete steps and a positive, realistic global perspective. Can a Renewal Movement Be Renewed? is a must-read for all who care and want to do something about the revitalization that the church so desperately needs."

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
—Armenian Orthodox Church
Christian Churches Together
"This book gives us a glimpse into the mind and heart of someone who has earned his place as a valued leader among America's diverse church traditions. It reveals Michael Kinnamon as both teacher and student, as having profound wisdom, humility, and magnanimity — qualities that can guide whole churches into a deeper engagement with each other and into a more dynamic engagement with the world."

Religious Studies Review
“Poses fifteen crucial questions about the nature and mission of the ecumenical movement, its political, economic, social, ecclesial dimensions, and practices. Kinnamon’s ecumenical expertise shines in tightly packed essays offering answers, all of which can stand on their own, be it as classroom texts or as a conversation starter at ecumenical meetings.”

One in Christ
“This book deserves both high praise and a wide circulation in university and seminary curricula, in ecumenical study groups and pastoral discussion. It will yield rich reward to anyone interested in the renewal of the Church — its ecumenical nature, life and mission — expressed in the call to unity and justice, holiness and the search for truth and reconciliation — and the renewal of the ecumenical movement as a gift and call to the Church. It is not a heavy volume, but it invites study, dialogue and discussion and it will provide a sound foundation for ecumenical thinking and action. Theoria and Praxis are well met here in this slim yet substantive volume of essays that form a vital and coherent whole.”
 
Publishers Weekly
“In these pages are excellent suggestions for improving communication, forging trust, and creating hospitable working relations among diverse and disparate partners. . . . Kinnamon is a passionate and skilled ecumenical leader.”
 

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