Description
Book SynopsisGod’s diplomat, the pope of the ecumenical movement, but also an acerbic theologian and a difficult person: this is how journalists characterised Willem Adolf Visser ’t Hooft (1900-1985). He was one of the best-known Dutch theologians outside the Netherlands and he left his mark on the world church. Even at an early age, he made profound efforts in support of international ecumenical youth and student organisations (Dutch Student Christian Movement, YMCA and World Student Christian Federation). He led the World Council of Churches during its formative stages (from 1938), and after its formal establishment in 1948 became its first general secretary, serving until 1966. To Visser ’t Hooft, the unity of the church was both an article of faith and a pragmatic organisation of church influence in a disunited world.
Trade Review"La biographie de Zeilstra sur le premier secrétaire général du COÉ est un apport important aux ressources pour l’étude de l’histoire de l’Église du XXe siècle et du mouvement oecuménique : avec un index détaillé des noms et des sujets et de nom-breuses références, ce livre s’avérera inestimable pour les futurs chercheurs."
- Stephen Brown,
ISTINA LXVI (2021)
"Zeilstra has written an impressive study that provides profound insights into the efforts of one man, and through him of a movement, trying in one of the most momentous historical eras to forge church unity. For both it was the means of creating a more humane, just and peaceful world. The book will be of interest to all with similar aspirations."
- Dianne Kirby, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland,
European History Quarterly, Vol. 50, 4 (2020)
Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Importance and Limitations of a Biography
-1 Subject and Background
-2 Existing Biographies
-3 Method
1 The World Opens Up, 1900-1924
2 The School of International Encounter: Working with Youth and Students, 1924-1939
3 Church Unity in Wartime, 1939-1945
4 From 'Spiritual Contact' to Political Involvement: The Swiss Road, 1942-1944
5 Towards a World Council of Churches: Reconciliation and Restoration, 1945-1948
6 General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, 1948-1966
7 The Cold War, the Unity of the Church and Eastern Orthodoxy, 1948-1966
8 Roman Catholic Contacts: 'Nostra Res Agitur', 1948-1969
9 Obsolete Institutionalism? The Twilight Years, 1966-1985
10 In the Mirror of Rembrandt and the Perspectives of Others
Taking Stock: An Assessment of a Life Lived for the Unity of the Church
Sources and Literature Consulted
-1 Archives and Unpublished Primary Sources
-2 Oral Sources
-3 Digital Sources
-4 Published and Unpublished Works by W.A. Visser 't Hooft
-5 Published Sources and Secondary Literature
6 Newspapers and Magazines
*A - Persons Quoted
*B - Other References
Index
