Moving into the Ecumenical Future identifies some necessary “foundations” of any paradigm for Ecumenical Ethics. It emphasizes the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the teaching and example of Jesus, biblical foundations, and pastoral relationships in developing paradigms for Ecumenical Ethics. The book suggests that virtue ethics is an important paradigm that includes these elements. The text explores how the Faith and Order “Tool,” Receptive Ecumenism, Differentiated Consensus, Internal Polarities, and Spiritual Discernment can be used to move toward moral consensus. The author calls for a national or international task force to explore these foundations in greater depth.

Moving into the Ecumenical Future identifies some necessary "foundations" of any paradigm for Ecumenical Ethics. It emphasizes the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the teaching and example of Jesus, biblical foundations, and pastoral relationships in developing paradigms for Ecumenical Ethics. The book suggests that virtue ethics is an important paradigm that includes these elements. The text explores how the Faith and Order "Tool," Receptive Ecumenism, Differentiated Consensus, Internal Polarities, and Spiritual Discernment can be used to move toward moral consensus. The author calls for a national or international task force to explore these foundations in greater depth.

Last year a group of sixteen theologians from various church traditions published "In One Body through the Cross, a landmark statement on the present state and future possibilities of modern ecumenism. In order to help readers understand the true depth of this document (also known as "The Princeton Proposal"), "The Ecumenical Future makes available the scholarly studies that stand behind it. According to the editors of this timely and provocative volume, "the perception is widespread that the ecumenical train is stalling or has even run off the tracks." In spite of significant gains in understanding between Catholics, Orthodox, and various Protestant denominations, the church's present divisions are nothing less than a scandal. Seen in the light of Jesus' prayer in John 17 that "all may be one," ecumenism is neither an option nor a social or political football. The fourteen essays in this book represent a focused examination of the issues that still divide and of the common ground still to be discovered.

This book offers fresh insights into the contemporary state of Ecumenism. Following the election of Pope Francis, there has been a significant thaw in ecumenical relations, and there are grounds for thinking that this will continue into the future. The twelve chapters, written both by experienced ecumenical theologians as well as younger scholars, that have been gathered together in this collection, offer one of the first detailed assessments of the impact of Francis’ papacy on ecumenical dialogue. Drawing on ecumenical methodology, as well as many practical examples and illustrations, the authors discuss the developments in culture and missiology as these affect the practice of ecumenism, particularly in response to theologies of hope as well as inter-religious dialogue and pluralism. What emerges is a clear sense of hope for the future in a rapidly changing world and even a sense of optimism that real ecumenical progress might be made.

9. The Theology of a Pilgrim Church -- 10. The Baptist Eschatological Vision and the Ecumenical Future -- Bibliography -- Credits -- Scripture Index -- Author and Editor Index -- Subject Index

Author Jon Nilson believes that it is time for Roman Catholic Church leaders to put their commitment to Church unity into action and move beyond simply engaging in ecumenical dialogue. Nothing Beyond the Necessary helps chart this course of action. This clear survey of the ecumenical scene is important reading for Roman Catholic leaders, leaders of other Christian Churches, and laity with an interest in ecumenism.

Jesus' prayer on behalf of his of followers is "that all may be one. As you, Father are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us" (John 17:21). No Turning Back illustrates significant developments in ecumenism during the thirty-plus years of ecumenical theologian Margaret O'Gara's own engagement in ecumenical dialogue. This collection of selected papers from the final fifteen years of O'Gara's work before her untimely death in 2012 aims to illustrate the broad lines of ecumenism for general readers to share concrete details of recent ecumenical developments with specialist readers to encourage both groups of readers in their commitment to the pursuit of full communion among the Christian churches An invaluable resource for academic and ecclesial specialists in ecumenism, teachers and students of theology and religious studies, Christian ministers, and all educated Christian adults who take seriously Jesus' prayer "that all may be one."

Included in this collection of documents from the twentieth-century ecumenical movement are passages from texts produced by assemblies, conferences, and studies of the World Council of Churches and similar bodies, covering three areas of historical concern within modern ecumenism: faith and order, life and work, and mission and evangelism.

This book provides a specific proposal for churches divided by centuries-long disputes and disagreements to move toward a vision of the unity of the church. It seeks to offer a way for divided churches to move beyond the present quagmire that challenges much of the modern ecumenical movement. Building upon the theological dialogues between the churches, this volume identifies and supplies a way for churches to regain a momentum that seems recently to have been lost in the ecumenical movement.