The faith and Order Commission has been playing a pivotal role in the ecumenical movement to resolve the doctrinal issues that divide the Churches. Its history since 1927 bears testimony to the efforts of a countless number of theologians from a variety of ecclesial background to articulate a vital and coherent theology for the sake of the unity of the Church. The present study, Church and World, is an outcome of research on the documents of the Faith and Order Commission from 1963 to 1993. The thirty-year period was a highly exploratory and adventurous one, and in that sense very exciting. It witnessed the emergence of the conviction that no viable ecumenical ecclesiology is possible unless the brokenness of the human situation, which calls for a metanoia in response to God’s call to cooperate with Him to build the new heaven and the new earth, becomes one of its abiding concerns. During this period the question of the unity of the Church was being progressively linked with the renewal of the human community and the integrity of God’s creation. The entire arena of justice, human rights, and the restoration of harmony in creation in accordance with God’s plan as revealed in His covenant now actively enters into the discussion on the Church. A journey through the documents of the thirty-year period unravels a rich tapestry of themes and images: the Church as mystery and prophetic sign, as conciliar fellowship, as a communion of hope, as inclusive community and as koinonia in faith, life and witness. These serve as the main chapter headings of the present study which opens with an incisive historical survey of all the documents in the first chapter. Church and World is an important sourcebook for anyone who wishes to respond to the ecumenical challenge and to enter more deeply, trustingly and truthfully into the mystery of God’s plan to unite all things in Christ.
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