Abstract
Unity is a fundamental gift and calling of the church. The ecumenical movement, which guides the Christian commitment to seek visible unity, faces an increasing challenge to respond to fraught conditions of division and brokenness within the church and wider society. Traditionally, ecumenism has sought reconciliation through agreement on ecclesiology and doctrine. However, the Body of Christ is divided wherever marginalization, oppression, dehumanization, and injustice exists within the church, is caused by the church, or is ignored by the church. Such painful conditions reflect a failure to recognise and honour the belief that all are created in the image and likeness of God.Therefore, this study examines the question: could a gravitational shift in the ecumenical movement that places theology of the imago dei as the measure of churches' commitment to unity refocus and revitalize ecumenism? Situated in the context of North America, my work considers two case studies of painful oppression: indigenous peoples in Canada, and racism against African Americans in the United States of America. Through issues specific to each of these groups, I propose that by looking into the places of greatest hurt and marginalisation Christians can better understand the imago dei and develop a stronger and more accountable theology to renew the ecumenical movement.
Thus, there are two interrelated components to this thesis. I show that the nature of disunity in North American churches and society means that the measure of the churches' progress towards unity must shift from questions of ecclesiology to the imago dei. Second, I maintain that this new ecumenical focus relies on a reclaimed and transformational understanding of the imago dei, a theology best defined by those who have most acutely experienced the pain of disunity, marginalisation, and oppression.
| Date of Award | 1 Jan 2021 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Susannah Ticciati (Supervisor) |