Ecumenical apologetics is "an explanation (defense) of the Christian Faith, in an ecumenical fashion"; presenting a defense of one's own faith while advocating and recognizing "a greater sense of shared spirituality" with those of other confessions or faith traditions.
While neither
apologetics
Apologetics (from Greek ) is the religious discipline of defending religious doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse. Early Christian writers (c. 120–220) who defended their beliefs against critics and recommended their f ...
nor
ecumenism
Ecumenism ( ; alternatively spelled oecumenism)also called interdenominationalism, or ecumenicalismis the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships ...
is a new term, "ecumenical apologetics" came into use early in the 21st century in an effort to combine the two, which were previously presumed to be opposing efforts or ideas.
An Answer for Those with Ears to Hear
, a review by Mark Brumley of ''Choosing a World-View and Value-System: An Ecumenical Apologetics''. Likewise, both apologetics
Apologetics (from Greek ) is the religious discipline of defending religious doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse. Early Christian writers (c. 120–220) who defended their beliefs against critics and recommended their f ...
''and'' ecumenism
Ecumenism ( ; alternatively spelled oecumenism)also called interdenominationalism, or ecumenicalismis the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships ...
are terms used by people of different religious orientations; however, the term is used primarily, if not exclusively, to refer to a form of Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics (, "verbal defense, speech in defense") is a branch of Christian theology that defends Christianity.
Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul the Apostle in the early church and Pa ...
.
Further reading
* Fr. Benedict M. Ashley, ''Choosing a World-View and Value-System: An Ecumenical Apologetics''. Published by Alba House (May 2000).
* Konrad Raiser, ''Ecumenism in Transition: A Paradigm Shift in the Ecumenical Movement''. Published by World Council of Churches (October 1991).
* George E. Griener, ''Ernst Troeltsch and Herman Schell: Christianity and the World Religions : An Ecumenical Contribution to the History of Apologetics''. Published by Peter Lang Pub Inc. (June 1990).
Footnotes
{{Theology , apologetics
Christian apologetics