Ecumenism
Ecumenism is the movement aimed at fostering unity and cooperation among various Christian denominations to promote mutual understanding and collective action for social good. The term originates from the Greek word "oikoumene," meaning "the whole inhabited world," and historically refers to the entirety of the Christian church. Despite its noble goals, the Christian church has faced significant divisions since its inception, often leading to conflict, as seen in events like the French Wars of Religion and the Thirty Years' War. Noteworthy figures, such as Nathan Söderblom, played pivotal roles in the 20th-century ecumenical movement, which sought to bridge gaps between denominations by emphasizing shared beliefs and collaborative efforts.
The establishment of the World Council of Churches in 1948 marked a significant milestone in ecumenism, providing a platform for diverse Christian communities to address social and spiritual issues collectively. Contemporary ecumenism continues through organizations like the Anglican Communion and local initiatives where churches of different traditions partner for common causes. However, the movement is not without its critics; some denominations express concerns that ecumenical efforts might compromise their distinct doctrinal beliefs. Despite the challenges, ecumenism remains a vital area of dialogue aimed at healing divisions and fostering a spirit of cooperation among Christians worldwide.
Ecumenism
Ecumenism is the concept of bringing the various Christian denominations together in cooperative efforts for the betterment of each other and the world. It comes from the Greek word oikoumene, meaning "the whole inhabited world." The word ecumenical was originally applied to the Roman Empire. It was, and still is, used to represent the entirety of the Christian church.
The Christian church has experienced divisions and factions since its early days. The Bible's New Testament records several examples. In the Gospels of Mark and Luke, the disciples of Jesus complain that people are following John the Baptist instead of following Jesus. Jesus replies that those who are not against them are with them (Mark 9:38–41, Luke 9:50). In 1 Corinthians 3:4–9, Paul makes note that some of the early followers of Christianity had already lined up behind various leaders. Paul notes that some Corinthians considered themselves to be his followers while others followed Apollo. Paul says that it does not matter; what matters is that each follows his or her own assigned part in God's plan.
For centuries, the Christian church has struggled to live up to Paul's instruction, often falling short. Wars have been fought and massacres initiated as one side tried to subdue or even eliminate the other. The French Wars of Religion (1562–1598) and the Thirty Years' War in Europe (1618–1648) are examples of conflict between various denominations that claimed a Christian faith.
History
Paul's comment as recorded in 1 Corinthians was one of the first attempts to erase the divisions between the various Christian denominations. Throughout the ages, leaders have resorted to everything up to and including marriage between representatives of different Christian denominations to try to ease divisiveness. In more contemporary times, efforts have been made to not only put an end to the divisions but also to emphasize what different denominations have in common.
An early effort at ecumenism was witnessed in the work of Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf, a German leader and religious reformer who united the people of his village despite their different faith backgrounds. Born into a Lutheran family, Zinzendorf found himself surrounded by people of several different Christian faith traditions, including Moravian, Reformed, Anabaptists, and Lutherans. Acting under the strong belief that the Christian church functions better in community, the charismatic leader had himself consecrated as a Lutheran bishop in 1749 and led all those in his village in an ecumenical spirit of cooperation and unity.
In the nineteenth century, Unitarians from both America and Europe worked with the influential Bengali reformer Ram Mohun Roy to raise a spirit of ecumenism between Christians and Hindus. The efforts put forth by these missionaries to find common ground between Christianity and Hinduism is sometimes credited with giving rise to the ecumenical movement in the twentieth century.
Twentieth-Century Ecumenism
Many of the differences among the various Christian denominations arose from both doctrine and practice. Several theological differences had arisen about such topics as the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, or representation of Christ's body and blood, and predestination, or the belief that everything that will happen has already been decided by God and cannot be changed. In addition, conservative Protestants were offended by what they saw as idolatrous worship in the Roman Catholic Church and even some Anglican churches. Differences even arose over what books of the Bible a church accepted as part of its canon. By the twentieth century, though, a spirit of cooperation and seeking common ground began to flourish in what is often called the ecumenical movement.
The first major ecumenical event was the Universal Christian Conference on Life and Work in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1925. The product of the ecumenical efforts of Swedish Lutheran clergyman Nathan Söderblom, the conference brought together Christians from the Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant traditions (but not Roman Catholics) for a first concerted effort at finding ways to work together. In the aftermath of World War II, the World Council of Churches was created in 1948. The council served as a unifying force between the member denominations and increased the resources that could be brought to bear on social and spiritual issues. The council continues its work into the twenty-first century.
Contemporary Ecumenism
In addition to the World Council of Churches, other formal and informal efforts exist. The Anglican Communion, representing forty-four churches in 165 countries, is an example of people of similar but not identical faith traditions coming together for the benefit of the world around them. The National Council of Churches USA is an example of churches of different traditions within the same geographic area entering into an ecumenical relationship. Similar, less formal arrangements happen on a smaller scale in communities where the clergy and leadership of churches of various denominations work together for a common purpose, such as running a soup kitchen or assisting in the aftermath of a disaster.
Not everyone favors ecumenism, however, and there is sometimes stern opposition to such efforts. This opposition usually stems from the notion that overlooking doctrinal differences might lead to compromising a denomination's beliefs. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, for instance, does not allow its clergy to participate in worship involving other faiths, and some Orthodox churches also resist any ecumenical efforts on the grounds that it might damage their orthodoxy. Differences in doctrine have even led to the ending of some ecumenical relationships, such as a break between a number of Orthodox churches and the Episcopal Church when the latter began ordaining women and gay clergy members.
Bibliography
"About Us." World Council of Churches. World Council of Churches. Web. 24 Aug. 2015. https://www.oikoumene.org/en/about-us
Horton, David. The Portable Seminary: A Master's Level Overview in One Volume. Bloomington: Bethany House, 2006. 539–543. Print.
MacCulloch, Diarmaid. Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years. New York: Penguin Books, 2009. Print.
"Nikolaus von Zinzendorf." Christian History. Christianity Today. 8 Aug. 2008. Web. 24 Aug. 2015. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/denominationalfounders/zinzendorf.html
"What Is the Anglican Communion?" Anglican Communion. Anglican Consultative Council. Web. 24 Aug. 2015. http://www.anglicancommunion.org/identity/about.aspx