The Theological Aspects of the Road to Christian Unity in Polish Lutheranism in the Light of Church Documents
The Theological Aspects of the Road to Christian Unity in Polish Lutheranism in the Light of Church Documents

Summary/Abstract: What is the subject of this study is the theological reflection of Polish Lutheranism in the field of Christian unity, based on synodal studies and other documents of institutional ecumenical dialogue conducted by the organs of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland. The first document, which was an important step in achieving the unity of Evangelical denominations in Poland, was the Sandomierz Agreement, an accord between Lutherans, Calvinists and Czech Brethren in 1570. For more than four centuries it was the inspiration and legitimacy of efforts to establish joint provincial synods and a national synod during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the functioning of a common general consistory in the 19th century or the strengthening of organizational cooperation at the beginning of the 21st century. After 1945, the first major ecumenical event which was reflected in undertaken synod works, was the confirmation of the altar and pulpit (the Lord’s Table and the pulpit) fellowship between the Evangelical-Augsburg and the Evangelical Reformed Churches in Poland. In the case of the Methodists, they joined the altar and pulpit fellowship in 1994. The key document of ecumenical dialogue at the European level between the Churches of the Protestant tradition is the Leuenberg Agreement, adopted in 1973 in Leuenberg in Switzerland, and accepted by the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland. During the 1980s, the Synod of the Church also responded positively to the “Lima Text,” a document prepared by the World Council of Churches. The multilateral dialogue between the Churches belonging to the Polish Ecumenical Council and the Roman Catholic Church resulted in the signing of a fundamental inter-church agreement on Baptism.

• Details
• Contents