Review by Choice Review
This dictionary contains more than 600 alphabetically arranged entries covering important ecumenical themes and events; organizations and personalities; and theological and ethical topics, as well as ecumenism in each region of the world and in the various denominations. Entries are cross-referenced to related articles. Detailed indexes of subjects and names refer readers to sources of information on a specific topic or person. Articles are supplemented with brief bibliographies and some photographs. Contributors are leaders in the ecumenical movement from every Christian denomination and all parts of the world. The World Council of Churches (WCC) has published a multilingual listing, Ecumenical Terminology (Geneva, 1975), but that volume is more a directory of the WCC than a dictionary of this type. Recommended for college and university reference collections that support large religion departments, or for theological libraries.-E. Peterson, Montana State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
This Dictionary aims to be a comprehensive guide to the people, events, and history of the twentieth-century ecumenical movement--with appropriate references back to the dawn of the Christian era. It was prepared under the auspices of the World Council of Churches--an organization of more than 300 Protestant, Anglican, Old Catholic, and Orthodox churches--which since its founding in 1948 has worked to promote cooperation and unity among all the churches of the world. The Dictionary's 650-plus signed entries were written by more than 300 leading scholars and participants in the ecumenical movement representing every Christian confession and all parts of the globe. More than one-sixth of the articles are biographical, accenting the biographees' professional activities, including principal writings (e.g., Karl Barth, Billy Graham, Pope John XXIII, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bishop Desmond Tutu). More than 50 articles have a geographic focus (e.g., Africa; European Unity; Theology, European). The objective, well-written articles range in length from less than a column to several pages. Among the longest are Councils of Churches: Local, National, Regional; Ecumenical Conferences; Holy Spirit in Ecumenical Thought; Laity; and Women in Church and Society. Christian perspectives on sociopolitical issues (Abortion, Disarmament, Euthanasia, Homosexuality, Violence and Nonviolence) are well represented. Economic concerns are explored in such topics as Capitalism, Labor, and Work. The historical overviews of interdenominational dialogue (Anglican-Lutheran, Methodist-Roman Catholic, etc.) are helpful. Cross-references are numerous. Bibliographies of materials usually but not always in English are appended to many entries. More than 100 black-and-white photos appear with the pertinent articles. Two indexes greatly enhance access to the text. The subject index, replete with see and see also references, locates ecumenical decrees, other publications, and organizations and pinpoints other topics (e.g., Vatican Council II is referenced to more than 60 pages besides its separate entry). The name index significantly expands the list of persons who have had some ecumenical connection. Because of its breadth of coverage, its clear, objective style, and its extensive documentation, Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement will be an essential purchase for religious libraries and can be highly recommended for larger academic and public libraries as well. (Reviewed Sept. 15, 1991)
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
This dictionary promises to establish itself as an indispensable reference work. It contains a wealth of information on doctrinal themes, demonstrating how the churches have converged their teachings on God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the sacraments, and other issues. Much of the information deals with contemporary social, political, legal, and ethical issues from perspectives within the Christian faith. It is fully cross-referenced and indexed, and contains over 600 entries. This work definitely accomplishes its stated purpose, which is to take stock of the past, to interpret the present, and to look forward into the third millennium of Christian existence in the ecumenical movement. Recommended for academic and seminary libraries.-- Ravonne A. Green, Emmanuel Coll. Lib., Franklin Springs, Ga. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
