A New World Council? Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Meeting in Vancouver late in July, the World Council of Churches has at last been coming under pressure to clarify two important principles. I) To what extent are the Christian churches committed to God and to eternity, as well as to the concerns of this world? 2) On the questions of this world, can the Christian churches assume a point of view that truly transcends East and West, socialism and democratic capitalism?

As I write, the meeting in Vancouver has not concluded; the evidence is not in. Still, even the early signs suggest that the WCC will in the near future turn a little more of its attention to the “vertical” question of the human relation to God, and a little less to the “horizontal” questions of this world. Since, in today’s world, no one but religious leaders can speak to the “vertical” question; since, demonstrably, so many human beings hunger and thirst for guidance upon it; and since, finally, the resolution of the “horizontal” questions depends upon an accurate rendering of the “vertical,” such a turn is much to be desired.

About the Author

Michael Novak

Michael Novak was a Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, and diplomat.

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Meeting in Vancouver late in July, the World Council of Churches has at last been coming under pressure to clarify two important principles. I) To what extent are the Christian churches committed to God and to eternity, as well as to the concerns of this world? 2) On the questions of this world, can the Christian churches assume a point of view that truly transcends East and West, socialism and democratic capitalism?

As I write, the meeting in Vancouver has not concluded; the evidence is not in. Still, even the early signs suggest that the WCC will in the near future turn a little more of its attention to the “vertical” question of the human relation to God, and a little less to the “horizontal” questions of this world. Since, in today’s world, no one but religious leaders can speak to the “vertical” question; since, demonstrably, so many human beings hunger and thirst for guidance upon it; and since, finally, the resolution of the “horizontal” questions depends upon an accurate rendering of the “vertical,” such a turn is much to be desired.