Editorial

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Rather than lamenting a crisis of the Ecumenical movement the author suggests that the reader look at promising paradigms that become apparent within the present changes and challenges of World Christianity. He identifies six promising trends, as Christians of different traditions recognize partners in common witness beyond their own church traditions (1), evangelical and Pentecostal churches rise in significance (2), ecumenism becomes increasingly shaped by biographical experience and personal encounter (3), a spiritual ecumenism for the witness in the world emerges (4), the reality of martyrdom deepens the sense of Christian unity (5) and the search for the truth of the Gospel is not given up (6). In their overlapping and sometimes contradictory evidence these paradigms prove Ecumenism to be alive and, therefore, changing its face.</abstract>

Unity to the Greater Glory of God. Promising Paradigms in Current Ecumenism

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">From the perspective of a theory of communication the church is a community of reception [of messages] relevant for salvation (conf. Hebr. 1, 1 sq.; 2, 1; 1 Cor. 15, 1-39). It has to consciously undertake the apostolic message as its addressee in the actuality of its own existence. This primarily takes place through the instances of faith testimonies (Scriptures, Tradition, Magisterium, Theology, and Sense of Faith), among which the sensus fidelium is given particular importance: the experience of all Christians must be incorporated in the shared belief so that it can truly be faith of the church. The consequences that entail can be canvassed through examples from cannon law, the theology for the magisterium and, most of all, from ecumenism.</abstract>

The Ecclesiological Relevance of Reception

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Lutherans and Catholics in Australia have engaged in fruitful ecumenical dialogue for forty years, producing eight documents that have consistently had a view toward reception in the two respective churches. In recent years this Dialogue has been encouraged on its journey by the concept of receptive ecumenism. Ecumenical encounter is a work of the Holy Spirit, and each church can be enriched by recognising and receiving the charism of a partner church.</abstract>

A Fruitful Dialogue between Lutherans and Catholics in the South Land of the Holy Spirit

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Community Church of St John the Evangelist, situated on a relatively remote island off the east coast of New Zealand, is a unique ecumenical venture supported by the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. This paper describes and situates this venture and discusses its development and modus vivendi in light of the paradigm of receptive ecumenism. This paradigm did not feature in the thinking of those who established this ecumenical community church; nevertheless it is argued that the paradigm aptly applies, so yielding the phenomenon of an unintentional receptive ecumenism at work.</abstract>

Unintentional Receptive Ecumenism: From Ecclesial Margins to Ecumenical Exemplar – A New Zealand Case Study

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Leuenberg Agreement (LA) is one of the most productive ecumenical documents ever seen. It initiated a church fellowship, the “Community of Protestant Churches in Europe” (CPCE). LA evoked an ongoing process of its’ own reception that can be seen in a variety of different expressions such as church communion, doctrinal conversations and public statements. However, this reception is still all too frequent limited to the European level of interaction between the member churches of CPCE. It remains one of the main challenges for the Community, a condition for “Verbindlichkeit” and the legitimated representation of its members to strengthen the awareness for the relevance of LA and CPCE in the single parishes.</abstract>

Experience Europe! The Reception of the Leuenberger Agreement as Model and Constant Challenge

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper presents details pertaining to the dialogue between Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches. A brief history of the official bilateral meetings between the representatives of these two Christian traditions is sketched in the first part of the paper. The texts which converge by way of doctrine are highlighted. In the second part I present some of the difficulties which still prevent Eucharistic intercommunion between Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, in spite of the doctrinal agreement which has been reached. Finally, some possible solutions are drafted in the last part of the paper, with special reference to Fr. Dumitru Stăniloae’s proposal of broadening the dogmatic expression from Chalcedon.</abstract>

Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches in Dialogue: Reception, Disagreement and Convergence

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The present study proposes a relativization of the concept of tolerance by the Ottoman in the early classical period. The research method leaves from the premise according to which the historiographical productions reveal the „taste“, expectations and thus the recipient public’s ideals and attitudes. The rise of Ottoman historiography coincides with the state’s proclamation as a great power. The study analyses the chronicles till the reign of Bayezid II and discusses only historical synthesis of this period. This is the time of searches and synthetization of ideological arguments and also a time in which different groups tried to impose themselves as great contributors. The quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the early ottoman sources confirms an aggressive line against the churches, but she does not impose herself as dominant.</abstract>

Conversion of Churches into Mosques in the Early Ottoman Historiography (XVth Century). A Selective Evaluation of Sources

Some Preliminary Remarks on the World Council of Churches’ Central Committee Statement on Religion and Violence

Book Reviews

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 15 (2023): Issue 3 (December 2023)

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Volume 12 (2020): Issue 3 (December 2020)

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Volume 11 (2019): Issue 3 (December 2019)

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Volume 10 (2018): Issue 3 (December 2018)

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Volume 9 (2017): Issue 3 (December 2017)

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Volume 8 (2016): Issue 3 (December 2016)

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Volume 7 (2015): Issue 3 (December 2015)

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Volume 6 (2014): Issue 1 (December 2014)

Review of Ecumenical Studies Sibiu

 Publishing House and Owner: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania  The Ecumenical Journal Sibiu (RES) is the academic journal of the Ecumenical Research Centre of Sibiu and serves both national and international ecumenical research, enjoying an international scientific support. The journal is issued three times per year, each issue dealing with a specific topic.  The initiative behind the founding of the RES journal is related to the ecumenical tradition of the city whose name it bears. In 2007, Sibiu was the cultural capital of Europe and home of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly. These events were not accidental, as Transylvania is characterized by a long tradition of tolerance between the various Christian denominations. There is no other region in Europe where Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism and Catholicism have shared for centuries the same political and geographical area.  RES aims to reflect international and Romanian theological academic work. The studies, articles and reviews published in it fall within the field of theology, but also include a multidisciplinary perspective: philosophy, history, ethics, social sciences etc. . Born in Sibiu, a symbol of multiethnic coexistence, interreligious tolerance and the confluence of several cultures, our journal aims to become a mouthpiece for research and global and local ecumenical projects. The Romanian and international authors are encouraged to express their own cultural and theological tradition in their continual quest for the dialogue with other cultural traditions and denominations. People shall thus understand that true identity develops only in dialogue, ecumenical dialogue playing a role in self-knowledge: when I meet the other, I understand better who I am myself. Removing false images, ecumenism does not lead to confusion and dilution of identity, but on the contrary - in this passage, through dialogue I go back to myself, changed by this encounter, enriched and strengthened in what I am. Thus, joint responsibility of all Christians shall manifest and strengthen regardless of the area they live in. Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 