Agreeable Agreement: An Examination of the Quest for Consensus in Ecumenical Dialogue
Hietamäki, Minna
T & T Clark International, 2010
ISBN: 978-0567607188

In recent bilateral ecumenical dialogue the aim of the dialogue has been to reach some form of doctrinal consensus. The three major chapters of the book discuss the variety of forms of doctrinal consensus found in ecumenical dialogues among Anglicans, Lutherans and Roman Catholics. In general, the dialogue documents argue for agreement/consensus based on commonality or compatibility.

Each of the three dialogue processes has specific characteristics and formulates its argument in a unique way. The Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue has a particular interest in hermeneutical questions and proposes various forms of “differentiated” or perspectival forms of consensus. The Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue emphasises the correctness of interpretations. The documents consciously look towards a “common future”, not the separated past.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
1. Consensus as an Ecumenical Challenge: Scope of the Concept and Relevance of the Study
2. Sources: Documents from Bilateral Dialogues
3. The Context and Scope of the Study
II Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue
4. International Dialogue
5. National Dialogues: North America, Germany
6. Consensus with Difference
III. Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue
7. International Dialogue ARCIC
IV. Anglican-Lutheran Dialogue
8. International Dialogue
9. Episcopal-Lutheran Dialogue in the USA
10. Regional Dialogues: Meißen Statement, Porvoo Statement
V. The Possibility of Consensuc: A Synthesis
11. Harvesting the Results: Consensus in Bilateral Dialogue
12. Consensus: An Unattainable Ideal or a Reachable Goal? The Continuing Debate
Conclusion
Bibliography