Dumitru Staniloae S Trinitarian Ecclesiology

Dumitru Stăniloae is one of the most important but routinely neglected twentieth-century Orthodox theologians. Viorel Coman explores the ecumenical relevance of Stăniloae’s reflections on the interplay between the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of the church in the context of the debates on the ecclesiological ramifications of the filioque. Coman combines a historical and theological analysis of Stăniloae’s approach to the filioque, Trinity, and church. The historical analysis shows the changes that have taken place over time in Stăniloae’s approach to the issue of the filioque and the doctrine of the church. The theological analysis emphasizes the ecumenical contribution of the Romanian thinker to the fields of Trinitarian theology and ecclesiology. Even though this book centers primarily around Stăniloae’s vision on the link between the doctrine of the Trinity and the Church, it places his theological reflections in a solid dialogue with other Eastern (Georges Florovsky, Vladimir Lossky, and John Zizioulas) and Western theologians (Karl Barth, Yves Congar, Karl Rahner, and Walter Kasper).

Widely considered the most important Orthodox theologian of the twentieth century, Dumitru Staniloae (1903-1993) contributed significantly to an ecumenical understanding of these themes. Because of his isolation by the Romanian Communist regime, his work still awaits its merited reception, especially given its potential contribution towards Christian unity. In Staniloae's understanding the Church is a communion in the image of the Trinity. Because there is a continuum of grace between the Trinity and the Church, the same relationships that exist among trinitarian persons are manifested in creation in general, and the Church in particular. In this way, the Trinity fills the world and the Church, determining their mode of existence. Intratrinitarian relationships are manifested in the relationships between humankind and non-human creation, the Church and the world, local and universal aspects of the Church, clergy and the people, and among various charisms.

In this book, Viorel Coman explores the relevance of Dumitru Stăniloae's reflections on the interplay between the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of the Church in light of the discussions about the ecclesiological consequences of the Eastern and Western Trinitarian models.

In recent years, Eastern Orthodox thought has had an increasing influence on key aspects of contemporary Western Christian thought, particularly as regards the doctrine of the Trinity and mystical spirituality. However, the foundations and fundamental presuppositions of Eastern Christianity's theological system have remained largely unstudied -- and thus unknown -- in the West. In this important study, Emil Bartos examines the doctrine of deification which provides the conceptual basis for the way Staniloae and other Orthodox theologians understand the major doctrines of the Christian faith. The idea that God became man that man might become God sounds almost heretical to many Western ears, yet this affirmation is repeated countless times in the writings of the Eastern Fathers. Beginning with the apophaticism that lies at the heart of Eastern theology, Bartos examines each of the key doctrines of anthropology, christology, soteriology and ecclesiology as they relate to deification in Staniloae's thought. Bartos' study represents not merely a contribution to contemporary dialogue between Eastern and Western theologians, but also a much needed introduction to an aspect of Christian thought down the centuries that is largely neglected in the Christian West.

Until recently (and partly because of the political circumstances of the Romanian church prior to 1989), English-speaking readers have had access to very little of Staniloae's writing. But his great masterpiece, Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, is at last beginning to appear. Staniloae's theological stature has been compared to Barth, Rahner and Schillebeeckx. In him we meet not only a contemporary master of Orthodox thought but a Christian thinker of ecumenical proportions - one who addresses the needs and aspirations of Christians living in a technological age, and who offers an important and timely contribution to 'Green' theology. The present volume is described by the author as a 'prolegomenon' to the reading of Staniloae. It takes one vital theme from the centre of his dogmatic system - that of creation as the primordial gift of God - and shows how this applies both to sacramental theology and to ecclesiology. Containing a guide to the works of Staniloae, Charles Miller's book will be immense value to all those who are struggling to understand the meaning of the created order: Anglicans, Catholics and Orthodox alike.

This book explores why the metaphor of the church as a family is insufficient. In this, Arendt’s concept of action and her criticism of privatizing the public political space by viewing it as a family are engaged through Bonhoeffer’s ecclesiology and political theology and Stăniloae’s triadology and theology of the world. The roots of the different views of Arendt and Bonhoeffer on family symbolism are traced to their distinct notions of acting. Human action becomes the central theme of the debate—particularly influenced by the Eastern Orthodox ecumenist Stăniloae and his vision of the communal relationship and interactivity of human subjects, and their place in the world. Synthesizing Bonhoeffer and Stăniloae, Christian calling is unfolded not only as acting for others, but also with others as Trinitarian participatory response—response to the words and deeds of the three divine Persons acting in communion. In being drawn into these unique relations, human beings are empowered for communal and common acting of equals participating in public-political issues. Since the family metaphor fails to articulate such acting, this study complements this symbolism with the metaphor of the church as a political community of solidarity.

InChurch: A Reflection of the Triune God, Father Patrick Akponevwe Otor, MSP offers a new way of looking at the Church. He sees the nature and mission of the Church as an offshoot of the communion and love that binds together the persons of the Trinity. He shows how the three-tiered leadership structure of the Church mirrors the persons of the Trinity. Father Otor took time to explore and expand the term mission as it is understood in today's Church to include evangelization, inculturation, struggle for justice and liberation, ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue, protecting the earth, missio Dei, and many more. The book illustrates the person and roles of the pastor or pastoral leader both within the church and in the world. It will be a valuable resource for both teachers and students of theology, pastors, priests, pastoral leaders, missionaries, and ordinary Christians who are interested in learning more about their church and faith. Church: A Reflection of the Triune God, will inform, inspire, and challenge anyone and everyone who reads it.

A rich collection of fifteen articles by European, North American and Asian theologians, concerned with the concept, life, unity and future of the church.