The Seven Marks of the Unity of the Church Exegetical Impulses for an Ecumenical Theology of Unity According to Ephesians 4:1-6

The Letter to the Ephesians is the first biblical text to reflect on systematically, and even to undertake programmatically, the development of a hermeneutically reflected theology of unity for the worldwide church. Its relevance for current ecumenical discussions lies in the fact that it sets out seven characteristics for the unity of the church. Shaped by the theology of Ephesians, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 CE) sets out four criteria in its affirmation of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church. Just as these four criteria were called notae ecclesiae, the seven statements about unity from Ephesians 4:4-6 could also be called notae unitatis, seven marks of the unity of the church. These could provide an excellent basis for arriving at mutual understanding not only in Protestant-Roman Catholic dialogue but also within worldwide ecumenism.

Automated summary

The Letter to the Ephesians introduces seven characteristics for church unity, which are relevant for current ecumenical discussions and can be combined with the criteria set out in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed to provide a solid foundation for both Protestant-Roman Catholic dialogue and worldwide ecumenism.