Ecumenical Reception

Richard John Neuhaus -- editor in chief of First Things "Informed by his years of experience in the quest for Christian unity, William Rusch illumines the way toward turning theological dialogue into the living faith of now separated Christian communities." Dale T. Irwin -- President, New York Theological Seminary "William Rusch has long been a major interpreter of the modern ecumenical movement. In this volume he reminds us in a fresh way that the heart of the ecumenical movement is not to be found so much in the various texts that it has produced, as it is in the process by which the separated churches have entered into one another's life in a positive and enduring way. He makes a convincing case that this activity is central to the work of the Holy Spirit in the churches through the ages, and that it is never more needed than today for the separated churches of the world to discern anew the mind of the living Christ." Mary Tanner -- President, World Council of Churches "This is an important exploration of the concept of reception. Particularly valuable is the chapter in which Rusch describes concrete examples of ecumenical reception in the lives of many churches. These examples help the reader to get hold of this new ecumenical process in church history. The discussion moves into two areas not widely known, namely, 'differentiated consensus' and the more recently identified 'differentiated participation.' Whether ecumenical reception in the future depends on these two concepts remains to be seen, as Rusch himself acknowledges. . . This is a book not to be missed by committed ecumenists." Norman A. Hjelm -- former director of the Faith and Order Commission "In this book William Rusch gives us the most complete study we have of the historical, theological, juridical, and -- not least -- spiritual dimensions of the ecumenical process of reception. His work will go far to illumine the churches in their ongoing quest for visible unity in obedience to the prayer that 'they may all be one.' "