From Division to Christian Unity (Paperback)

The 1999 United States Lutheran-Episcopalian agreement joined seven million people in a highly-structured ecclesiology. What factors contributed to such a massive and complicated ecclesial reconciliation? Doctrinal consensus is essential, but there is a role for the conditions and motivations which call forth and receive that consensus. The book's method is historiographical, the evidence comprises verbatim minutes of Lutheran assemblies, interviews with participants, and ELCA- conducted surveys. Many participants found non- doctrinal factors important or even decisive. The factors support the Churches'efforts to do what they morally wanted to do. The factors which seem to have made the most significant contributions overall to the process of reaching full communion are: basic conviction for unity, unity as linked to mission, and the self-identity of the ELCA as dedicated to unity. Churches must be aware that ecumenism exists within the context of contributing factors which will influence its prospects for success and which can be at least partly understood and sometimes awaited or enhanced.