Radical Ecumenicity

Campbellites have long pursued unity by shunning particularity and by uniting around common practices such as baptism or the Lord's Supper, but theologian John Howard Yoder recognized the limitations of such approaches and advocated unity across particular traditions by way of robust and patient dialogue. Though Campbellites have striven to maintain continuity with the New Testament church, Yoder stressed the need for continuity with Old Testament Israel, the New Testament church, and wider Christian history. Yoder's work thus exhibits an ecumenical posture that is radical in its appeal to deep Christian roots, in its left-wing Reformation origins, and in its tenacious dialogical spirit. In the Spring of 2009 a group of scholars, ministers, and lay persons associated with the Stone-Campbell tradition gathered to discuss the significance of John Howard Yoder's work. This was the first time adherents of a single tradition beyond Yoder's Mennonite heritage had gathered for this purpose. Radical Ecumenicity brings together six papers from this gathering, two additional essays by Stone-Campbell scholars, and two of Yoder's own lesser-known essays. Though these essays were not originally written with a common theme in mind, they nonetheless dovetail nicely with the prominent emphases of unity and continuity, two themes relevant to all disciples who strive to be ecumenically active and theologically grounded in the broader Christian tradition.