Statements of the seventh-day Adventists of the "Charter Oecumenica": 1. Statement of the German free church line Hannover/Ostfildern (Germany), 14.04.2003/APD

"we commit ourselves…"!?

A adventistische statement on the Charter Oecumenica

Under the many words, which deliver the four gospels of Jesus, none might have probably been quoted as often as its request for the unity of the young from the high priesterly prayer in Johannes 17,20-23: "I do not ask however alone for it, but also for those, which will believe by their word in me, so that they are all one. As you, father in me are and I in you, then also they are to be in us, so that the world believes that you sent me… " Hardly another Jesuswort possesses larger eindringlichkeit.

Unity

The fact that Christ is not divided and its body controversy and splitting therefore not when given can accept, made also Paulus in its letters clear (1 Ko 1.10-13). To the "agreement in the spirit" it belongs for it that God, Lord and spirit only one body have, which knows and by a faith as well as a hope is held only one baptism together. (Eph 4.3-6) also the remaining writings of the new will stress ever in its way this fundamental Christian view of the indivisible municipality.

Regrettably there were seizing tensions under the trailers of Jesus already in no-Christian time deeply. So the Jew Christians had large trouble to recognize the heath Christians as fully valid brothers and sisters although nevertheless Christ made long "from both one and the fence broke off, which was between them, i.e. the enmity" (Eph 2.14). Even in later time it came to unfortunate splitting and deep discords, occasionally even to military conflicts within the Christianity, which Christi reviled the name. The Atheismus and the reject-critical attitude of many contemporaries in relation to the churches are a consequence of it.

Troughout European history is a sad scene of these centuries old arguments. Nobody can and after this inglorious past to back-long want itself. So regarded it is to be appreciated, if the European churches decide itself not to work in the future any longer against each other. Instead of fighting each other, they commit themselves to the dialogue and to co-operation. Thus a contribution is to be made for the communication and reconciliation of the peoples and cultures in Europe. The Charter Oecumenica is committed to this goal.

How do seventh-day Adventists stand to the Charter Oecumenica? To what extent do we divide the goals and requests of the signing European churches? Where do we have reservations, which prevent us to sign the self obligations contained in the text?

The ecumenical vision of the unity

The Charter Oecumenica treats the ecumenical view of the church, its unit as well as the responsibility of the churches in Europe in its three parts. In the first, quite part briefly held (# 1) the common will comes to the expression to overcome the still existing trainingmoderate differences - "there are substantial differences in the faith" particularly in end-time questions - and work toward "the visible unit of the church Jesu Christi". A condition and indication of it is the mutual acknowledgment of the baptism and the communion community.

In the second part ways are pointed out, which are to lead to the visible community and unit of the churches in Europe. In addition belong above all the common message of the gospel (# 2), the reconciliation of the different Christian traditions (# 3), common acting on all levels of the church life (# 4), religious community in service and prayer (# 5) as well as the continuous efforts around a consent in the faith (# 6). Because "without unit in the faith there is no full church community".

In the third and longest part the explanation is finally around the common responsibility of the churches into Europe. She comes in the effort to the expression to along-arrange the future of Europe (# 7), which peoples and cultures of this continent to reconcile (# 8), which creation/nature to retain (# 9), which singular community with the Judentum to deepen (# 10), to maintain good relations with the Islam (# 11) as well as other religions and world views meet appropriately and fair (# 12).

The Charter Oecumenica culminates in the sentence: "Jesus Christ is as the gentleman church our largest hope for reconciliation and peace. In its name we want to continue the common way in Europe."

The vision of the unity

The Charter Oecumenica is coined/shaped by the vision of the visible community of all Christians in the "one, holy, catholic and apostolischen church". Although Evangelist, orthodoxe and catholic churches possess a different understanding of the unit, holyness, Katholizitaet and Apostolizitaet of the church Jesu, they strive nevertheless for "a faith" and the church, which finds its visible expression above all "in the mutually recognized baptism and in the eucharistischen community".

The "still existing church-separating problems and obstacles" - various training differences are meant - are indeed present and a cause, "for a common understanding of the welfare message Christi in the gospel to strive persistently". If with the fact it is however expected that the church minor baptism of the Biblical faith baptism is to equate or be preferred, or that a sakramentale view from baptism, Eucharistie and religious office has to apply to, then Adventisten - straight in the name of the "welfare message Christi in the gospel" - will contradict clearly and with words the Charter Oecumenica will explain: "with it we may not compensate ourselves." The unit of the body Christi is to be thought without genuine Apostals - i.e. without anchorage in the obligatory teachings and practice of the Apostel - not. Due to the Biblical view of Christian unit we cannot agree as Adventisten the self obligations of the Charter Oecumenica in their whole.

The way to the unity

The common ecumenical tendency to bear contradictions between church tradition and Biblical theory in "reconciled difference" throws also a shade on the ways, on which the visible unit of the churches is to be achieved in accordance with the Charter Oecumenica. It seems that everything is to be subordinated to the tendency after oekumenischer unit and community. Thus for example EH-GELISTIC efforts without previous "agreements" are regarded as "harmful competition". Are they real that? This view can and want we due to the comprehensive Biblical order for mission not to follow.

On the other side there is a set from far handing statements in the second part of the document, which Adventisten can quite agree. In addition the right to free conscience decision - particularly also in religious questions - as well as the defense of the rights of minorities and the dismantling of prejudices belongs in relation to minority churches. This view could have effects on the legislation and iurisdiction into some European countries.

The Charter Oecumenica deplores still existing dogma tables, ethical and church-legal contrasts, which prevent a "full church community". They are to be discussed "together in the light of the gospel", until a "consent is reached in the faith". Adventists welcome this intention, if with it a careful study of the holy writing is meant as obligatory faith basis of the Christianity. For this purpose we are gladly ready to speak with other Christians and churches about our faith. However we ask ourselves, which practical meaning has this statement of the Charter in view of the Roman-catholic dogma understanding. So far it does not show itself anyhow that trainingofficially announced dogmas could be recalled in view of contrary Biblical statements.

The consequences of the unity

As seventh-day Adventissn we can agree the Charter Oecumenica, if basic values such as justice, peace, freedom of conscience and religion, equality, reconciliation, tolerance, non-violence, nature and environmental protection, equal rights of women, protection of marriage and family, and assistance for arms of the world to be demanded. Also the call after a responsible person life-style, the refusal of the Antisemitismus and fair handling Muslims and representatives of other religions and/or world views finds our support. Here also Adventisten can say: "we commit ourselves!"

However Adventisten do not strive for a terrestrial realm, one politically and Christian-religiously based Europe. How quickly such a Europe can turn away again from these basic values! A politicalization of the gospel would be besides a Verfremdung of the word of God, which we cannot affirm. Our hope is rather directed toward the eternal realm of God, which will start on the day of the Parusie Christi. Alone we feel obligated to this Christ. Its word is our Magna Charter, from which we infer a special message, an eternal gospel, which applies for all humans on this earth (Offb 14.6-12).

Community of the seventh tag Adventisten in Germany, KdoeR

Dr. Rolf J. Poehler, 1. Chairman Guenther Machel, 2. Chairman

(reference of the editorship: The statement became in the municipality sheet of the seventh tag Adventisten "Adventecho", NR. 4/2003, page 13-14, publish.)