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Title: Apostolic Continuity and Apostolic Succession in the Porvoo Common Statement
Subtitle: A Challenge to the Nordic Lutheran Churches
Author(s): TJØRHOM, Ola
Journal: Louvain Studies
Volume: 21    Issue: 2   Date: summer 1996   
Pages: 126-137
DOI: 10.2143/LS.21.2.583428

Abstract :
This paper will treat some vital yet quite controversial theological and ecumenical challenges. The biggest challenge here, however, may easily prove to be the title of my contribution and its claim that apostolicity does represent a challenge to the Nordic Lutheran Churches. Indeed there is much evidence that a majority of these churches has no concern for apostolic succession since they take apostolicity more or less for granted. It can even be argued that the crucial requirement of apostolic continuity, at least in practice, has been exchange for a shortsighted activism. This may function as a demonstration of the discouraging truth in cardinal Newman's insistence that 'to become a Protestant is to lose a sense of history.'

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