Beyond Idealism: A Way Ahead For Ecumenical Social Ethics

Ecumenical social ethics is in crisis. The fundamental difficulty in the last fifty years or so of ecumenical social-ethical thought lies in its seemingly congenital tendency toward high-mindedly idealistic generalizations and pronouncements.

The essays in this book, drawn from the 1999-2005 Ecumenical Institute seminar conceived and led by Julio de Santa Ana, offer an alternative vision -- one "beyond idealism." They address a situation of conceptual paralysis in theological-ethical reflection at the global level, owing partly to continuing tensions among the churches and partly to radical methodological contextualization in the work of scholars in this field. Simultaneously, ecumenical ethicists face globalized economic and other forces that grind the faces of the poor and also threaten the quality, and even the continuation, of life on this planet.

As a whole this volume calls us to build concrete social frameworks that sustain life, in the process addressing each situation in all its particularity and detail, as we follow in each case, with secular allies and those of other faiths, some part of the Way toward fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenantal promise to "all the families of the earth" (Genesis 12:3).

Contributors: Joanildo Burity
Bob Goudzwaard
Robin Gurney
Heidi Hadsell
Ninan Koshy
Lewis Mudge
Leopoldo Niilus
Julio de Santa Ana

Has the Ecumenical movement lost its way? Does the prophetic voice of the churches gathered together still influence our societies?

"Beyond Idealism" points to new orientations in the field of ecumenical social thought and action at a time of crisis ecumenical movement. It calls ecumenically-minded persons to give a relevant witness to the faith of their religious communities in the midst of the challenges of globalization. "Beyond Idealism" calls for a "renewal of the mind" among those who are interested in social ethics.

Featuring an international contingent of authors,

Beyond Idealism" is an excellent collection of essays oriented towards the renewal of ecumenism and its social witness.