Ecumenism

Ecumenism is the effort of Christians of different church traditions to develop closer relationships and foster better understandings between churches. I wrote The Ecumenical Affair as a true-life story to lift up the need for visible unity between Conservative and Liberal churches. My book may shock some readers as it does contain a sexually explicit scene to bring attention to the double standard implicit with the theology of the Gospel story of the Woman Caught in Adultery and the Woman at the Well.

The protagonists are the Woman and the Greek. The central part of the story takes place during the Gulf War in Australia during the 7th Assembly of the World Council of Churches. As delegates protest and speak out against injustice after injustice they see happening around the world, religious dissension erupts amongst participants and delegates. At one point the then moderator of the United Church of Canada speaks up. She says…if Jesus were here today, he would say the politics of this place (this ecumenical council) stinks to high heaven.

I invite you to read The Ecumenical Affair and to accompany me to Greece next October for an Eco-Justice Conference. I have made friends with many Greeks and I have published and presented several faith based papers at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. These papers shine light on the Christian theology that has been understood and used as a license to divide and conquer in the name of Justice.  Justice should roll down like a mighty river “face to face” with Peace and Love (Amos 5:24; Psalm 85:10).

At the Academy, I’ve had the opportunity to present my revisionary and liberal views and to listen with an open heart to Orthodox Christians. I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ve dined with Orthodox bishops, priests, monks, nuns, farmers and olive oil merchants and scientists, people of other faith traditions from Iran and India and local children. Many people who have attended conferences at the Academy are worried about the future of Crete.  Refugees, tourists, foreign land owners and poverty threaten to overwhelm Crete, and the rich environment full of flora and fauna that has sustained Cretans since the beginning of time—even when food was scarce during invasions and occupations.

People in Crete have welcomed me and peacemakers from every walk of life seeking Eco-Justice.  The Orthodox Academy was co-founded in 1968 by Dr. Alexandros Papaderos with the support of his local Orthodox Bishop and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany as a Centre for Peace through symphilosophein (philosophising together).  Their initial dream was to bring peace and reconciliation between Germans and Cretans who vowed they would never stop hating the other. With success, came the dream of inviting others to do the same.

Please consider accompanying me to the Academy for Ecothee 17. Hear and answer the CALL http://ithe.webs.com/ecothee-2017-call  You’re welcome to present a paper, a poster or lead a workshop…or just listen to the presentations and join in the symphilosophein. People of all faiths and at different levels of education are welcome. Come and see!