The Cross at the Heart of the Church - by Petre Maican (Hardcover)

About the Book

Argues that an ecclesiology centred on the crucifixion is more promising for the ecclesial recognition of other Christian communities than Eucharistic ecclesiology.

Book Synopsis

Can Eastern Orthodoxy apply the term "church" to other Christian communities?

Emerging from the 2016 Pan-Orthodox Council, this issue sparked one of the most heated ebated in contemporary Eastern Orthodoxy. According to Maican, grappling with this question within the current framework of Eastern Orthodox ecclesiology presents significant challenges. In this unifying work, he argues that neither the emphasis on the Eucharist nor the adherence to the Tradition of the Fathers is capable of accommodating legitimate Christian otherness. Instead, Maican proposes a cruciform ecclesiology, positing the cross as not only foundational to doctrines and sacraments but also as the primary criterion for discerning the ecclesial nature of a community. Through dialogue with Dumitru Staniloae, Hans Urs von Balthasar and Paul Tillich, this book employs a conversationalist approach to this intricate problem. Ultimately, Maican provides a nuanced examination of the cross in ecclesiology, yielding bold propositions for recognizing the ecclesial status of other Christian communities.

Review Quotes

"Maican provides a fascinating Orthodox engagement with Catholic and Protestant ecclesiologies, resulting in a dynamic understanding of ecclesiality as transparency to the form of Christ crucified, interpreted differently in the words and actions of each denomination. The author provides a meaningful way of recognizing the ecclesial character of the other, safeguarding intra-Christian diversity as the entire world moves towards deification - an eschatological unity in which creation becomes a cosmic church. Maican's cruciform ecclesiology will surely have a resounding ecumenical impact." --Radu Bordeianu, Duquesne University, USA

"In an age of polarization and when ecumenism is on the defensive, this book could not be more timely. Maican moves the conversation around ecclesiology and ecumenism forward by providing a model for real recognition among the churches based on the form of Christ crucified. This theotic approach to understanding "church" will especially appeal to those tired of strict borders, enclave thinking, and mutual exclusivities." --Aristotle Papanikolaou, Professor of Theology, Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture, Co-founding Director, Orthodox Christian Studies Center, Fordham University, USA

"Petre Maican's monograph on ecclesiology provides a fresh ecumenical approach to the doctrine of the Church, with special focus on Christ's self-sacrificial act on the Cross. It brings the best out of the Orthodox Christian tradition through a constructive conversation with Roman Catholic and Protestant theologies, arguing that the ecclesial character of a community is related to the way in which the community renders transparent the form of the crucified Christ found in its midst. The result is a marvellous read that will inform and inspire its readers for the years to come." --Viorel Coman, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Bucharest, Romania

In an age of polarization and when ecumenism is on the defensive, this book could not be more timely. Maican moves the conversation around ecclesiology and ecumenism forward by providing a model for real recognition among the churches based on the form of Christ crucified. This theotic approach to understanding "church" will especially appeal to those tired of strict borders, enclave thinking, and mutual exclusivities.
Aristotle Papanikolaou, Professor of Theology, Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture, Co-founding Director, Orthodox Christian Studies Center, Fordham University, USA

Maican provides a fascinating Orthodox engagement with Catholic and Protestant ecclesiologies, resulting in a dynamic understanding of ecclesiality as transparency to the form of Christ crucified, interpreted differently in the words and actions of each denomination. The author provides a meaningful way of recognizing the ecclesial character of the other, safeguarding intra-Christian diversity as the entire world moves towards deification - an eschatological unity in which creation becomes a cosmic church. Maican's cruciform ecclesiology will surely have a resounding ecumenical impact.
Radu Bordeianu, Duquesne University, USA

Petre Maican's monograph on ecclesiology provides a fresh ecumenical approach to the doctrine of the Church, with special focus on Christ's self-sacrificial act on the Cross. It brings the best out of the Orthodox Christian tradition through a constructive conversation with Roman Catholic and Protestant theologies, arguing that the ecclesial character of a community is related to the way in which the community renders transparent the form of the crucified Christ found in its midst. The result is a marvellous read that will inform and inspire its readers for the years to come.
Viorel Coman, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Bucharest, Romania

About the Author

Petre Maican is a Research Fellow in the Institute for Christian Studies at Radbound University, The Netherlands.