Ecumenical Reception

<DIV>In 1988 William Rusch wrote a book tracing the development of the idea of <I>reception</I> up to that time. During the intervening years both reflection on <I>reception</I> and the experience of attempting to engage in it have progressed considerably.<br style=color: rgb(57 49 19); font-family: Verdana Arial sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(248 245 238); /><br style=color: rgb(57 49 19); font-family: Verdana Arial sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(248 245 238); />Rusch begins with a bird's-eye view of the term <I>reception</I> across several disciplines -- law philosophy literary criticism -- before homing in on its theological import. He traces its use as a term and as a practice from the New Testament up to the twentieth century painting a picture of a dynamic process that fosters unity and diversity among churches and spiritual communities. Finally he examines the new chapter in the history of reception due to the establishment of the ecumenical movement and considers what will be necessary for it to continue to move the church forward.</DIV>