with Rev Dr Chris Walker
Learning from other Traditions
A newer development in ecumenical relationships is called “Receptive Ecumenism.” Rather than seeking to discover what we have in common, receptive ecumenism focuses on what are the distinct qualities of the different traditions that they bring to the table. While this may sound like it is emphasising those aspects of church tradition that divide rather than unite, the approach is to learn from one another and be enriched by one another. It is those very differences that can perhaps assist us to appreciate that tradition and enrich our own.
Here I want to briefly deal with the major current Christian traditions and point out some of the particular emphases of each. In global terms we have the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, mainstream Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions.
I will begin with a brief comment about worship. In broad terms worship has teaching, experiential and ritual elements. Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions give weight to the ritual element, centred on the Eucharist. The heart of worship is the movement and symbolism surrounding the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. These traditions are comfortable with mystery and so worship is conducted with robes, candles and different people carrying out set roles. The senses are drawn upon through the use of incense and icons. Christian art is regarded positively and not as an idol.
Mainstream Protestant traditions emphasise teaching and preaching. The Word of God, based on the Scriptures, is interpreted for today and points to Christ, the Word made flesh, the risen Lord. The pulpit is more central to worship than the altar (communion table). Thoughtful sermons enable one to appreciate the Biblical text and apply it to one’s own circumstances. While both Word and sacrament are valued the emphasis has been on the Word.
Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions have their own ways of doing things and preaching is important but the emphasis is on experience. For the Evangelical tradition the conversion experience is fundamental. This leads to baptism as a sign of incorporation into Christ and his Church. Nevertheless primary is to experience God leading to commitment. For the Pentecostal tradition, conversion is also important but as one aspect of experiencing the presence of the healing, transforming God. Pentecostalism emphasises experiencing God in worship with music being a primary means for this.
Each tradition has some of the teaching, experiential and ritual elements expressed in different ways. The primary emphasis is the one I have identified. We can learn from one another and perhaps develop our tradition by strengthening those aspects that are given less emphasis in ways that are consistent with our particular tradition.
More generally the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions value the Church centred on the bishop. The institutional church is our mother in relation to faith. The church gives birth, nurtures and sustains us in the Christian faith through the various sacraments. As a Protestant I recall reading the Catholic theologian Hans Kϋng’s book on The Church and being led to a stronger appreciation of the church as a result. The Orthodox tradition preserves the early church’s tradition and not only the New Testament. Protestants too easily jump from the Reformation to the New Testament and can fail to appreciate those who passed on the faith in between. The institutional church and its appointed leaders have the responsibility to be true to and pass on the faith. Other traditions can tend to be individualistic and rely too heavily on Charismatic leaders or popular preachers. They can fail to sufficiently appreciate that we are part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church which goes back in time and is global in scope.
Mainstream Protestant traditions stress that the Church is a creature of the Word, God’s Word made manifest in Jesus Christ. We need continually to go back to the Word which inspires and corrects us. We come under the Word. Proclaiming the Word is a humbling task for it is from God and those who are leaders and preachers seek to draw from it God’s Word for today for the people. As its name indicates, the Protestant tradition protests against what are seen to be false developments in tradition and would test those against the apostolic witness of the New Testament. The Old Testament is interpreted through the lens of the fuller revelation provided in the witness to Jesus Christ found in the gospels and other New Testament writings.
The Evangelical tradition, while having affinities with the mainstream Protestant tradition in its emphasis on the Word, is more conservative in its treatment of scripture. It is critical of liberal interpretations regarding these as not giving Scripture the authority it deserves and being too willing to provide interpretations that are more in line with modern or postmodern sensibilities. They regard extreme liberals as apostates who have moved beyond the boundaries of orthodox faith. While they can be written off as too conservative, their concern is to preserve the faith and understand scripture on its own terms rather than dismiss those aspects that do not readily fit current political correctness.
The Pentecostal tradition has been a growing one in the last century, especially in the global south and east where the majority of people now live. Its emphasis on experience and exuberance in worship has connected with many people for whom mainstream Protestantism is too wordy and aimed at the head rather than the heart. Music and movement enable people to worship with their whole bodies. Similarly faith is not just about right belief but seeking God’s presence for one’s life. hile it might seem to be individualistic, one joins with others in a corporate not just private experience of God. God is seen to care for one’s physical as well as spiritual well-being. Charismatic leaders are seen to be anointed by God through whom God’s blessings can come.
Each tradition has its strengths and weaknesses. Rather than focusing on the weaknesses, we do better to look to the strengths and see what we can learn from these.
Chris Walker
(National Consultant Christian Unity, Doctrine & Worship)
chrisw@nat.uca.org.au
http://revdrchriswalker.wordpress.com/