Holiness in an Ecumenical Perspective
Abstract
Among the so-called lost icons of modern culture (as Rowan Williams once put it) holiness should be perhaps seen with a particular concern. Christianity has always perceived holiness as a universal calling which Christ’s disciples are never to neglect. The Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer emerges as a significant example of radical discipleship in his consistent and faithful pursuit of holiness. The one who believes in Christ is to follow Him not by withdrawing from this world but rather in the midst of the world as Christ himself lived and to “drink the earthly cup to the dregs like Christ himself”. Consequently, “holiness begins and ends with God and moves toward the needy of the world” (A. Lawrence). Bl. John Paul II would often stress that holiness is one of those precious signs of the Spirit’s active presence among all Christ’s followers which should play an ever more growing role in the ecumenical exchange of gifts. When Christians base their hope on the Lord’s prayer and not their own strength, they can trust that “the great ecumenism of holiness will not fail, with God’s help, to bring results” (Bl. John Paul II).
Keywords:
holiness, ecumenism, Bonhoeffer, ecumenism of holiness.References
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Sławomir Nowosad – ur. w 1960, kapłan diecezji zamojsko-lubaczowskiej; dr hab., prof. KUL, kierownik Katedry Teologii Moralnej Ekumenicznej KUL; w latach 2008-2012 prorektor KUL; członek AVEPRO (Watykan), wiceprzewodniczący Stowarzyszenia Teologów Moralistów (Warszawa); badania naukowe w zakresie ekumenicznego kontekstu moralności chrześcijańskiej, niekatolickich tradycji teologicznomoralnych, zwłaszcza protestanckich; ostatnio wydał jako redaktor Barwy nauki. Nowoczesne technologie ICT w upowszechnianiu osiągnięć nauki (Lublin: TN KUL 2010) oraz W poszukiwaniu człowieka w człowieku. Chrześcijańskie korzenie nadziei (Lublin: TN KUL 2012).
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6287-7938License
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