The Ecumenical Movement

[d0c markus]

I am wondering about this movement.. Specifically if it is biblically correct to do so, and what exactly is the vaticans involvement with it.. Also do you think its plausible and if it happens what do you think the consequences will be?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Filia Mariae]

Mark,

While I understand that I cannot respond to your question about Biblical justification to ecumenical dialogue here, I think its okay for me to give you info about the role of Catholics in this dialogue/movement.

This is pretty much all the relevant information from the Vatican website:
http://vatican.mondosearch.com/cgi-bin/MsmFind.exe?MEDIA_TYPE=0&CFGNAME=MssFindEN.cfg&AGE_WGT=0&AND_ON=Y&EN=X&QUERY_ENCODING=ISO-8859-1&QUERY=ecumenism&CAT_KEY=-1&x=42&y=19

And from the Catechism:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm#818

 

[Polycarp1]

The Biblical justification for it may be found in Jesus's "High Priestly Prayer" in John 17 (verses 20-26):

"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word,
21: that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22: The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
23: I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.
24: Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world.
25: O righteous Father, the world has not known thee, but I have known thee; and these know that thou hast sent me.
26: I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."

The early hopes of those involved would be that they would be able to find "easy fixes" for the issues that divide Christians, and be able to bring about reunification of the churches. This proved to be unfeasible.

Today those involved are participating in a wide variety of dialogues, generally one-on-one between two denominations, in which each group articulates its concern with the docrines of the other and through careful study of the understandings and misunderstandings, a common consensus can sometimes be arrived at, or at least a partial one that helps to bring about a feeling of unity and Christian brotherhood between two groups.

 

[raptor13]

good post, polycarp

 

[good4u]

It all depends exactual what you mean by ecumenical unity, will all faiths unite as a big happy family? Hardly.

There are essential Christian doctrines that unite Orthodox Christians, regardless of denomination or religion. If those essentials are adhered to then unity results. As the great maxium states:

Essentials: unity

Non essential: liberty

All things: charity

That pretty well sums up my view of ecumenical unity.

 

[pmarquette]

I am wondering about this movement.. Specifically if it is biblically correct to do so, and what exactly is the vaticans involvement with it.. Also do you think its plausible and if it happens what do you think the consequences will be?

Thanks,
Mark

Yes it is scriptural .... Paul delt with some ... some follow Cephas , others Apollos , some Paul .... some provide seed , others sow , others water , God gives the increase .... Is this forum , whether in theory or in practice Ecumenical .... Protestant , Evangelical , Word of Faith , Mormons , heathens .... etc. a dialogue , a means to His end ....

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
2Cr 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

Essentially ecumenicism is a cooperative effort from within the Christian community, and interfaith is the same within all religions. Both are entirely compatible with active faith.

No one is suggesting for a minute (no one who's realistic anyhow) that it means all churches will become one. Obviously the anti-Catholic extremists have gotten hold of this, but, even if Rome flexed muscles on it, they could never force anyone else to do anything against their will.

Some extremist groups oppose cooperation because they hate competetion and they don't want their members to have the freedom to choose nor freedom of conscience.

 

[sobresaliente]

Ecumenical movement as far as all Churches getting together? This is highly doubtful, especially if they want us to join hands with a mormon, Jeohovahs Witness or any other 'church' preaching a false gospel. I would even hesitate to join hands with the RCC given their doctrines are radically different, and can never be fully accepted without some further revelation from God to the scriptures. This is also very unlikely.

Ecumenical movement with ALL Religions? I would certainly NOT engage in such a heresy, I cannot and will not compromise the truth of the gospel for the acceptance of a false one.

I am not exactly sure which one the Vatican is really pushing. I know they support the church one, but I also know they have many interfaith conferences and things.

Hope this sheds a little light,
Sobresaliente