The Orthodox Neo-Patristic Movement's Encounter with the Christian "Other": An Ecumenical Hermeneutics of Receptivity. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coman, Viorel
• Is Part Of: Theological studies. Volume 81:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 717
• Page End: 740
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Dumitru Stăniloae -- ecumenism -- neo-patristic movement -- open sobornicity -- orthodox theology; Theology -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 230
• DOI: 10.1177/0040563920957659
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-5639

Abstract

This article discerns an ecumenical hermeneutics of receptivity towards Western theology in the writings of the Orthodox Neo-patristic author Dumitru Stăniloae (1903–1993). In so doing, the article shows that, despite its rejection of Western scholasticism, the program of the Orthodox Neo-patristic movement also included an ecumenical component which, instead of cultivating opposition between Eastern and Western Christianity, invited churches to dialogue and mutual enrichment. The exploration of Stăniloae's notion of "open sobornicity" is the main focus of this article.