We are currently completing the latest round of dialogue between Lutherans and Orthodox in North America. Although the last round ended with remarkable agreement on the doctrine of Justification, the current round of The North American Orthodox Lutheran Ecumenical Dialogue has been less successful. For the last ten years representatives of SCOBA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have met yearly to discuss various issues including, the requirements for the establishment of communion between two Christian bodies, the “filioque” clause, the date of Pascha, and local cooperation between Orthodox and Lutherans. Unfortunately, the dialogue has produced no significant agreements. For example, although the Lutherans agreed that the west acted unilaterally by adding the “filioque” clause to the creed, they defended the theology of the double procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son. Both sides agreed that the decisions of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea should be the standard for the determination of the date of Pascha, but disagreed on the application of those standards. Although the dialogue continues, several developments within the ELCA seriously threaten the possibility of any serious understanding between Orthodox and Lutherans. For example, the ELCA is willing to enter into communion with other churches on the basis of agreement on a few points of theology. The Lutherans have entered into full communion with such differing bodies as the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterians and other bodies with a Calvinist heritage while entering into full communion with the Episcopalians at the same time. However, Orthodox insist on complete agreement on all points of belief on the basis of a common acceptance of the teachings of the Fathers and the Ecumenical Councils before it is possible to consider establishing communion with any other group. Another potential problem is the possibility that the ELCA will take a position on the divisive issue of homosexuality that will seriously jeopardize future relations between Orthodox and Lutherans in North America. Next summer the national convention of the ELCA will consider the ordination of practicing homosexuals and blessing same sex unions, a step that would seriously threaten any future relations between Orthodox and Lutherans.
Archpriest John W. Morris
