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Ecclesial Recognition with Hegelian Philosophy, Social Psychology & Continental Political Theory
An Interdisciplinary Proposal
Series: - Theology and Mission in World Christianity, Volume: 6
Author:
Ecclesial Recognition proffers a framework for churches to accept the legitimacy and authenticity of each other as the Church in the dialogical process towards fuller communion. Typically, ârecognitionâ and its reception investigate theologically the sufficiency of creeds as ecumenical statements of unity, the agreeability of essential sacramentality of the church, and the recognition of its ministries as the churchesâ witness of the gospel. This monograph conceives ecclesial recognition as an intersubjective dynamics of inclusion and exclusion amid identity formation and consensus development, with insights from Hegelian philosophy, group social psychology, and the Frankfurt School Axel Honnethâs political theory. The viability of this interdisciplinary approach is demonstrated from the French Dominican Yves Congarâs oeuvre, with implications for intra-Communion and inter-Church relations.
"Dr Lim examines philosophical recognition theory, group social psychology and political recognition theory to analyse the non-theological impasses confronting the whole ecumenical movement." - Rev Dr Trevor Hoggard, Director English-speaking Ministries, Methodist Church of New Zealand.
"Lim masterfully argues for the viability of an interdisciplinary approach to ecumenical recognition within communities, among churches, and in their common pastoral mission.â - Fr. and Professor Radu Bordeianu, Duquesne University, and Orthodox theologian, Representative of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, and Assistant Priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh.
âThis book makes an important contribution to ecumenical ecclesiology.â - Rev. Dr and Professor Sandra Beardsall, St Andrewâs College, Canada and United Church of Canada Ordained Minister.
âI find Dr. Lim's work a solid and necessary contribution to ecumenical work around the world.â - Rev. Dr. and Professor Dominick D. Hanckle, Regent University, and priest of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches.
âWith penetrating analysis and creative suggestions, this monograph takes the talk about ecumenical recognition in a new level.â - Professor Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, University of Helsinki.
"Dr Lim examines philosophical recognition theory, group social psychology and political recognition theory to analyse the non-theological impasses confronting the whole ecumenical movement." - Rev Dr Trevor Hoggard, Director English-speaking Ministries, Methodist Church of New Zealand.
"Lim masterfully argues for the viability of an interdisciplinary approach to ecumenical recognition within communities, among churches, and in their common pastoral mission.â - Fr. and Professor Radu Bordeianu, Duquesne University, and Orthodox theologian, Representative of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, and Assistant Priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh.
âThis book makes an important contribution to ecumenical ecclesiology.â - Rev. Dr and Professor Sandra Beardsall, St Andrewâs College, Canada and United Church of Canada Ordained Minister.
âI find Dr. Lim's work a solid and necessary contribution to ecumenical work around the world.â - Rev. Dr. and Professor Dominick D. Hanckle, Regent University, and priest of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches.
âWith penetrating analysis and creative suggestions, this monograph takes the talk about ecumenical recognition in a new level.â - Professor Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, University of Helsinki.
Timothy T. N. Lim, Ph.D., is Visiting Lecturer at London School of Theology, Research Tutor at Kingâs Evangelical Divinity School, and an ordained Minister with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He has published peer-reviewed articles on ecclesiology, ecumenism, evangelicalism, and interdisciplinary theology.
"In a world fractured by populist appeals to brittle social, cultural, and religious identities, Lim contributes to church ecumenicism and, more broadly, social reconciliation by elucidating the non-theological bases of religious differences (...). In what remains a collaborative task engaging theologians and the contributors to recognition theory, L. raises important questions, identifies needed resources, and charts a hopeful way forward" - Gordon Rixon, SJ, Regis College, University of Toronto, in: Theological Studies 2018, Vol. 79(4) 9930-931.
"In the final analysis, this is a positive contribution to the labor of ecumenical dialogue by a promising young scholar that deserves to be read and studied closely. - Barry Harvey, Baylor University, in: Horizon 45:2 (2018), pp. 479-480.
"Dr Timothy Lim sheds some light on that seemingly immovable object to deeper ecclesial recognition, the lack of reception of ecumenical dialogue, by his extensive illumination of the ânon-theological factors [that] impact the churchesâ ecumenical recognition of each other.â Dr Lim examines philosophical recognition theory, group social psychology and political recognition theory to analyse the non-theological impasses confronting the whole ecumenical movement. The idea that traditional convergence texts may serve, at least at some point in the process, to entrench existing positions vis-a-vis the âotherâ potentially alters the future course of how bilateral dialogue is conducted." - Rev. Dr. Trevor Hoggard, Director English-speaking Ministries, Methodist Church of New Zealand.
"At a time when the ecumenical movement is at a crossroadsâor even going backwardsâTimothy Limâs monograph represents a much-needed breath of fresh air intended to carry us forwards. Painting a clear picture of the nature of the unity we seek and the road traveled thus far, Lim proposes an interdisciplinary turn to the ecumenical process by making use of a broad range of recognition theories from various academic disciplines. Engaging important theological, socio-political, and psychological resources, Lim masterfully argues for the viability of an interdisciplinary approach to ecumenical recognition within communities, among churches, and in their common pastoral mission. This volume represents a masterful contribution to the ecumenical movement." - Professor Radu Bordeianu, Duquesne University.
"Timothy Lim issues a bold challenge to the churches: to get serious about visible unity. His interdisciplinary approach exposes the roots of the churchesâ resistance to taking the final steps toward full recognition of one another. The result is a provocative call to Christians to re-examine not only their doctrines, but everything that keeps âusâ from âthem.â This book makes an important contribution to ecumenical ecclesiology." - Professor Sandra Beardsall, St Andrewâs College, Canada.
"I find Dr. Lim's work a solid and necessary contribution to ecumenical work around the world. Mutual recognition is the next step to helping the body of Christ heal and see in one another the common ground not only as fellow Christians but as legitimate ecclesial bodies with the same authority. Without it, one might wonder what direction ecumenical work might take. As someone who has worked as an ecumenical officer and as a co-pastor of an ecumenical community I am acutely aware of the need to implement Dr. Lim's finding in ecumenical activity. Additionally, as a psychologist, I appreciate Dr. Lim's use of psychological research as part of understanding how mutual recognition can move forward." - Professor Dominick D. Hanckle, Regent University.
âProvocative ideas with interesting implications. Connecting the social understanding of what it means to have recognition, the socio-political implications of recognition and contemporary ecumenical theology raises substantive issues for ecclesiology and the ecumenical movement.â - Rev. Dr. Michael H. Montgomery, Chicago Theological Seminary.
âEcclesial recognition is not a simple process. Dr. Timothy Teck Ngern Lim explores the issue in a wide-ranging fashion, showing superb command of his intellectual resources. It would be my hope that those involved in ecumenical endeavors will draw insight and support from his work.â
â Professor Paul Lakeland, Fairfield University.
âLimâs ground-breaking book provides a useful guide through the maze of paradigms for ecumenical convergence as well as a bold constructive synthesis of Congarâs vision of Godâs gift of unity and a socio-political paradigm for its human outworkingâ¦.a timely help for the churches as they remember their connections with the Western ecclesial divisions of the sixteenth century.â - Rev. Dr. Steven R. Harmon, Garder-Webb University School of Divinity.
"In the final analysis, this is a positive contribution to the labor of ecumenical dialogue by a promising young scholar that deserves to be read and studied closely. - Barry Harvey, Baylor University, in: Horizon 45:2 (2018), pp. 479-480.
"Dr Timothy Lim sheds some light on that seemingly immovable object to deeper ecclesial recognition, the lack of reception of ecumenical dialogue, by his extensive illumination of the ânon-theological factors [that] impact the churchesâ ecumenical recognition of each other.â Dr Lim examines philosophical recognition theory, group social psychology and political recognition theory to analyse the non-theological impasses confronting the whole ecumenical movement. The idea that traditional convergence texts may serve, at least at some point in the process, to entrench existing positions vis-a-vis the âotherâ potentially alters the future course of how bilateral dialogue is conducted." - Rev. Dr. Trevor Hoggard, Director English-speaking Ministries, Methodist Church of New Zealand.
"At a time when the ecumenical movement is at a crossroadsâor even going backwardsâTimothy Limâs monograph represents a much-needed breath of fresh air intended to carry us forwards. Painting a clear picture of the nature of the unity we seek and the road traveled thus far, Lim proposes an interdisciplinary turn to the ecumenical process by making use of a broad range of recognition theories from various academic disciplines. Engaging important theological, socio-political, and psychological resources, Lim masterfully argues for the viability of an interdisciplinary approach to ecumenical recognition within communities, among churches, and in their common pastoral mission. This volume represents a masterful contribution to the ecumenical movement." - Professor Radu Bordeianu, Duquesne University.
"Timothy Lim issues a bold challenge to the churches: to get serious about visible unity. His interdisciplinary approach exposes the roots of the churchesâ resistance to taking the final steps toward full recognition of one another. The result is a provocative call to Christians to re-examine not only their doctrines, but everything that keeps âusâ from âthem.â This book makes an important contribution to ecumenical ecclesiology." - Professor Sandra Beardsall, St Andrewâs College, Canada.
"I find Dr. Lim's work a solid and necessary contribution to ecumenical work around the world. Mutual recognition is the next step to helping the body of Christ heal and see in one another the common ground not only as fellow Christians but as legitimate ecclesial bodies with the same authority. Without it, one might wonder what direction ecumenical work might take. As someone who has worked as an ecumenical officer and as a co-pastor of an ecumenical community I am acutely aware of the need to implement Dr. Lim's finding in ecumenical activity. Additionally, as a psychologist, I appreciate Dr. Lim's use of psychological research as part of understanding how mutual recognition can move forward." - Professor Dominick D. Hanckle, Regent University.
âProvocative ideas with interesting implications. Connecting the social understanding of what it means to have recognition, the socio-political implications of recognition and contemporary ecumenical theology raises substantive issues for ecclesiology and the ecumenical movement.â - Rev. Dr. Michael H. Montgomery, Chicago Theological Seminary.
âEcclesial recognition is not a simple process. Dr. Timothy Teck Ngern Lim explores the issue in a wide-ranging fashion, showing superb command of his intellectual resources. It would be my hope that those involved in ecumenical endeavors will draw insight and support from his work.â
â Professor Paul Lakeland, Fairfield University.
âLimâs ground-breaking book provides a useful guide through the maze of paradigms for ecumenical convergence as well as a bold constructive synthesis of Congarâs vision of Godâs gift of unity and a socio-political paradigm for its human outworkingâ¦.a timely help for the churches as they remember their connections with the Western ecclesial divisions of the sixteenth century.â - Rev. Dr. Steven R. Harmon, Garder-Webb University School of Divinity.
Preface and Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
1 Ecumenism and Ecclesial Recognition: An Evaluation
â1.1âProblem: The Ecumenical Impasse & Ecclesial Recognition after a Century
â1.2âEcumenical Recognition & Reception: Definition, Problem, and Proposal
âââEcumenical Recognition
âââEcumenical Reception
âââTheological Criteria for Recognition, Reception, and Their Limits
âââEcclesial Recognition and Reception: Non-Theological Factors
â1.3âA Focused Reading of âRecognitionâ for Ecclesiology: A Proposal
âââInterdisciplinarity: A Proposal for Ecclesial Recognition
âââInterdisciplinarity and Ecclesiology
âââThesis and Summary of Chapters
2 Philosophical Roots of Recognition: Reading Ricouer
â2.1âThe Groundwork of a Philosophy of Recognition
âââWhy Philosophy of Recognition for Ecumenical Recognition?
âââRecognitionâs Roots: Descartes, Kant, Bergson, and Hegel
âââDescartes and Kant
âââBergson and Psychology of Recognition
âââHegelian Mutual Recognition
â2.2âHegelâs Paradigm: A Literalist Reading of the âLord-Bondsmanâ Corpus
âââSelf-Consciousness and the Ambiguity of Otherness
âââConsciousness of Otherness Amidst Unequal Recognition
âââThe Struggle in the Exclusionary Phases of Recognition
âââThe Lord-Bondsman Analogy in Hegelian Recognition
â2.3âRecognition, Mis-recognition, and Reconciliation: Anticipating Later Developments
âââReview: Philosophy of Recognition
âââStruggle for Self-Identity: Recognitionâs Intrinsic Challenge
âââStruggle for Relational Progress towards Recognition
âââEthics of Recognitive Relationship
âââRecognition: Summary
âââPhilosophical Insights for Ecclesial Recognition
âââOvercoming Misrecognition: Social-Psychological Assistance
3 A Social Psychology Contribution to Social Recognition
â3.1âThe Groundwork of Social Recognition for Ecclesial Recognition
âââDefining Social Recognition
âââSocial Psychology, Its Philosophical and Scientific Antecedents
âââMethodology: Social-Psychology for Ecclesial Recognition
â3.2âA Social-Psychology of Social Recognition
âââBuilding Blocks of Social Recognition for Overcoming Misrecognition
âââGroup Processes & Theories: Intra-Group and Inter-Group Dynamics
âââGroup Social Identity Theory Processes
âââOther Pertinent Group Processes
âââSocially Shared Cognition and Consensus Development
âââGroup Stereotyping
âââGroup Conformity
âââIntergroup Relational Interventions
â3.3âIntergroup Recognition and the Limits of Reciprocity: Anticipating Questions
âââReview: Fundamentals of Intergroup Recognition
âââOvercoming Limits of Reciprocity, Disrespect, and A-Reciprocity
4 Honnethâs Political-Ethical Praxes of Recognition
â4.1âA Framework for the Politics of Recognition
âââPolitics of Recognition: Identity, Power, Paradigms, States, and Stages
âââPolitical Theories of Recognition in Political Science
âââRecognition Issues in Political Philosophy and Theory
â4.2âAxel Honnethâs Political Theory of Recognition in Select Oeuvre
âââDeepening Traectories: Disrespect
âââThree Patterns, Spheres, and Duties of Reciprocal Recognition
âââThree Types of Denial of Recognition
âââMisrecognition as Social Distortion and Causes
âââInsights for Ecclesial Recognition
âââExpanding to Politics: The I In We
âââRecognition, a Layered Social Reality of Justice
âââRecognition: Productive, Reproductive, and Gradual Expansion
âââPlurality: Recognition and the Dissolution of Social Morality
âââDiplomacy and the Politics of Recognition
âââPsychoanalytic Ramifications of Recognition
âââInsights for Ecclesial Recognition
âââTowards Mutuality in Honnethean Struggle for Recognition
âââThe Fundamental Need for Recognition
âââPolitical Payoffs: Recognition and Power Dynamics
â4.3âPolitics of Overcoming Disrespect
âââReview
âââDialectics of Domination: Identity, Relationality, and Recognition
âââEthics of Power: Rectification, Reconciliation, and Recognition
5 Interdisciplinarity in Ecclesial Recognition: Yves Congarâs Legacy as a Test-Case
â5.1âAn Application of Interdisciplinarity to Ecclesial Recognition
âââCongarâs Crises of Recognition
âââThe Development of Ecumenical Thought in Congar
âââCongarâs Proposed Resolutions of the Crisis of Recognitions
â5.2âInterdisciplinarity: Invigorations for Ecclesial Recognition
âââPhilosophy of Recognitionâs Struggle and Ecclesial Recognition
âââProtestant-Catholic Relations
âââAnglican-Catholic Relations
âââOrthodoxy and Catholic Relations
âââGroup Social Psychology and Ecclesial Recognition
âââCatholic Unity: An Intragroup Reading
âââEcumenical Disunity: An Intergroup Protestant-Catholic Reading
âââToward Unity: An Intergroup Interventional Application
âââPolitics of Recognition and Ecclesial Recognition
âââPolitics and Ecclesial Recognition
âââPolitical Themes and Ecclesial Recognition
âââEcclesial Politics and Diplomacy
â5.3âConclusions
âââLimits of the Model
âââSummary of Chapters
âââConclusion
6 Concluding Postscript: Towards a Productive Ecumenism
â6.1âReproductive and Productive Ecumenism
âââFurthering Honnethâs Reproductive and Productive Paradigms
â6.2âIntra-communion Ecumenicity
âââAnglican Communion
âââBaptist Churches
âââBrethren and Mennonite Traditions
âââCatholic Church
âââEvangelical Christianity
âââLutheran Communion
âââPan-Orthodoxy
âââPentecostal and Charismatic Renewal Movements
âââReformed Communion
âââWesleyans, Methodists, and Uniting Churches
â6.3âIntra-christian and Inter-communion Relations
âââQuincentenary of the Protestant Reformation
âââChurchesâ Bi-lateral and Multilateral Developments
â6.4â.Pastoral and Ministerial Implications
Bibliography
Index
Abbreviations
1 Ecumenism and Ecclesial Recognition: An Evaluation
â1.1âProblem: The Ecumenical Impasse & Ecclesial Recognition after a Century
â1.2âEcumenical Recognition & Reception: Definition, Problem, and Proposal
âââEcumenical Recognition
âââEcumenical Reception
âââTheological Criteria for Recognition, Reception, and Their Limits
âââEcclesial Recognition and Reception: Non-Theological Factors
â1.3âA Focused Reading of âRecognitionâ for Ecclesiology: A Proposal
âââInterdisciplinarity: A Proposal for Ecclesial Recognition
âââInterdisciplinarity and Ecclesiology
âââThesis and Summary of Chapters
2 Philosophical Roots of Recognition: Reading Ricouer
â2.1âThe Groundwork of a Philosophy of Recognition
âââWhy Philosophy of Recognition for Ecumenical Recognition?
âââRecognitionâs Roots: Descartes, Kant, Bergson, and Hegel
âââDescartes and Kant
âââBergson and Psychology of Recognition
âââHegelian Mutual Recognition
â2.2âHegelâs Paradigm: A Literalist Reading of the âLord-Bondsmanâ Corpus
âââSelf-Consciousness and the Ambiguity of Otherness
âââConsciousness of Otherness Amidst Unequal Recognition
âââThe Struggle in the Exclusionary Phases of Recognition
âââThe Lord-Bondsman Analogy in Hegelian Recognition
â2.3âRecognition, Mis-recognition, and Reconciliation: Anticipating Later Developments
âââReview: Philosophy of Recognition
âââStruggle for Self-Identity: Recognitionâs Intrinsic Challenge
âââStruggle for Relational Progress towards Recognition
âââEthics of Recognitive Relationship
âââRecognition: Summary
âââPhilosophical Insights for Ecclesial Recognition
âââOvercoming Misrecognition: Social-Psychological Assistance
3 A Social Psychology Contribution to Social Recognition
â3.1âThe Groundwork of Social Recognition for Ecclesial Recognition
âââDefining Social Recognition
âââSocial Psychology, Its Philosophical and Scientific Antecedents
âââMethodology: Social-Psychology for Ecclesial Recognition
â3.2âA Social-Psychology of Social Recognition
âââBuilding Blocks of Social Recognition for Overcoming Misrecognition
âââGroup Processes & Theories: Intra-Group and Inter-Group Dynamics
âââGroup Social Identity Theory Processes
âââOther Pertinent Group Processes
âââSocially Shared Cognition and Consensus Development
âââGroup Stereotyping
âââGroup Conformity
âââIntergroup Relational Interventions
â3.3âIntergroup Recognition and the Limits of Reciprocity: Anticipating Questions
âââReview: Fundamentals of Intergroup Recognition
âââOvercoming Limits of Reciprocity, Disrespect, and A-Reciprocity
4 Honnethâs Political-Ethical Praxes of Recognition
â4.1âA Framework for the Politics of Recognition
âââPolitics of Recognition: Identity, Power, Paradigms, States, and Stages
âââPolitical Theories of Recognition in Political Science
âââRecognition Issues in Political Philosophy and Theory
â4.2âAxel Honnethâs Political Theory of Recognition in Select Oeuvre
âââDeepening Traectories: Disrespect
âââThree Patterns, Spheres, and Duties of Reciprocal Recognition
âââThree Types of Denial of Recognition
âââMisrecognition as Social Distortion and Causes
âââInsights for Ecclesial Recognition
âââExpanding to Politics: The I In We
âââRecognition, a Layered Social Reality of Justice
âââRecognition: Productive, Reproductive, and Gradual Expansion
âââPlurality: Recognition and the Dissolution of Social Morality
âââDiplomacy and the Politics of Recognition
âââPsychoanalytic Ramifications of Recognition
âââInsights for Ecclesial Recognition
âââTowards Mutuality in Honnethean Struggle for Recognition
âââThe Fundamental Need for Recognition
âââPolitical Payoffs: Recognition and Power Dynamics
â4.3âPolitics of Overcoming Disrespect
âââReview
âââDialectics of Domination: Identity, Relationality, and Recognition
âââEthics of Power: Rectification, Reconciliation, and Recognition
5 Interdisciplinarity in Ecclesial Recognition: Yves Congarâs Legacy as a Test-Case
â5.1âAn Application of Interdisciplinarity to Ecclesial Recognition
âââCongarâs Crises of Recognition
âââThe Development of Ecumenical Thought in Congar
âââCongarâs Proposed Resolutions of the Crisis of Recognitions
â5.2âInterdisciplinarity: Invigorations for Ecclesial Recognition
âââPhilosophy of Recognitionâs Struggle and Ecclesial Recognition
âââProtestant-Catholic Relations
âââAnglican-Catholic Relations
âââOrthodoxy and Catholic Relations
âââGroup Social Psychology and Ecclesial Recognition
âââCatholic Unity: An Intragroup Reading
âââEcumenical Disunity: An Intergroup Protestant-Catholic Reading
âââToward Unity: An Intergroup Interventional Application
âââPolitics of Recognition and Ecclesial Recognition
âââPolitics and Ecclesial Recognition
âââPolitical Themes and Ecclesial Recognition
âââEcclesial Politics and Diplomacy
â5.3âConclusions
âââLimits of the Model
âââSummary of Chapters
âââConclusion
6 Concluding Postscript: Towards a Productive Ecumenism
â6.1âReproductive and Productive Ecumenism
âââFurthering Honnethâs Reproductive and Productive Paradigms
â6.2âIntra-communion Ecumenicity
âââAnglican Communion
âââBaptist Churches
âââBrethren and Mennonite Traditions
âââCatholic Church
âââEvangelical Christianity
âââLutheran Communion
âââPan-Orthodoxy
âââPentecostal and Charismatic Renewal Movements
âââReformed Communion
âââWesleyans, Methodists, and Uniting Churches
â6.3âIntra-christian and Inter-communion Relations
âââQuincentenary of the Protestant Reformation
âââChurchesâ Bi-lateral and Multilateral Developments
â6.4â.Pastoral and Ministerial Implications
Bibliography
Index
Expected readers are philosophers, ecumenists, theologians, ecclesiastical/church leaders, and students interested in the relationship between churches/communions, scholars of recognition in the human sciences: philosophy, psychology, and political studies.