Ecumenical Convergences: Romanian Evangelicals Exploring Orthodoxy

Cristian Sonea

doi:10.3390/rel12060398

Abstract

Historically, in Romania, the relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the evangelical communities have been characterized by tension and mutual distrust. That is why, unfortunately, there has been no official dialogue between the two communities so far. The present article investigates the theoretical possibility for such an ecumenical dialogue to occur by analysing the contributions of several evangelical theologians who published research studies on theological topics specific to Eastern orthodox theology. Their positions were analysed from the perspective of an inclusive theology which allowed us to identify some common themes for both traditions: the authority in interpreting the Scriptures, salvation as a process, and the Church understood through the application of a perichoretic model. All these convergent themes could constitute the basis for a future official ecumenical dialogue between the evangelicals and the orthodox from Romania.

Highlights

The ecumenical relations in Romania are currently going through a challenging phase.Some even consider it a crisis of the ecumenical dialogue in its institutionalised form (See: Plaatjies van Huffel 2017; Davids 1999)
The orthodox are more reserved because of the aggressive proselytism practiced by the evangelicals in some cases, and because evangelical theology is relatively new in Romania, which sometimes gives birth to a condescending attitude towards the evangelicals
Among other things mentioned in the document, we find the idea that evangelicals have neglected history and allowed themselves to be led by a sectarian spirit and proposed a return to a faith connected to patristic theology, councils, creeds, and “the catholicity of historic Christianity” (Clendenin 2003, p. 178)

Summary

Introduction

The ecumenical relations in Romania are currently going through a challenging phase. Some even consider it a crisis of the ecumenical dialogue in its institutionalised form (See: Plaatjies van Huffel 2017; Davids 1999). The article is an attempt to offer some answers to three evangelical authors who present their views on how orthodox theology approaches topics such as the authority of the scriptures (Paul Negrut, ), the orthodox soteriology (Emil Bartos, ) and the orthodox ecclesiology (Dănut, Mănăstireanu). These topics include important points of convergence, as well as some differences, so they could constitute a good theological ground for official dialogue between the Romanian evangelical and orthodox communities

What Is the Meaning of Ecumenical Convergence?

Hallmarks of the Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue

Romania—A Christian Country for Both

Convergent Theological Topics

Findings

Conclusions