Unveiling the Real Meaning of the Christian Church Throughout History
Explore the multifaceted meaning and complex history of the Christian church, encompassing its origins, evolution, impact, and controversies. Delve into its role in society, the challenges it has faced, and the contributions it has made, shedding light on both the dark moments and the positive accomplishments throughout the centuries.
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The Church?? Christianity 101 moens/2013 1
Why this topic? 1. Many students/academics react to the word church with a negative response. The church drags down the idea of God 2. Church is associated with the opposite of reason (emotion, dumb ceremony, yea-sayers) 3. We have lost the real meaning of the word church . 4. If we rediscover the real meaning, we find that the Church has a real purpose moens/2013 2
What most people mean by church? moens/2013 3
More meanings for church? I am Catholic (identity/cultural designation) Baptists vs Presbyterians (point the differences between us and them) The place my parents made me go to every Sunday (free at last!) Not so funny: The institutional cover under which pain and injury took place moens/2013 4
What is the real meaning? (Greek) ekkalein: to call out (Latin) Ecclesia= the called out ones They who follow Jesus or those who Jesus bought with his own blood. Those who congregate or assemble: And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26) Origin: A persecuted minority moens/2013 5
Christians must face the bloody and abusive history of the church. moens/2013 6
The Checkered History of the Christian Church Under Roman Emperor Constantine (306-337AD) most of the Christian Faith merged with state power and abuse rose considerably. Spanish Inquisition, conversion at the point of a spear, material exploitation of the poor, sexual abuse, residential schools, crazy cults, etc. Statist Churches (RC, Anglican, Reformed, Greek and Russian Orthodox, TSPM/CPA) and non-statist (Baptist, Methodist, Mennonite) have mixed motives, competing interests, divided loyalties No Escape: Christians bring their sinful nature into the church moens/2013 7
But: the Churchs history glass is also Half Full Christian missionaries brought hope, schools, education, medicine and health care, equality rights, protection of women and minorities, etc. Christian learning advanced science and the academy and civil society The tables are turned: An Estimated 150,000 Christians martyred in China s long history, Christians persecuted in 60 countries today. moens/2013 8
So, there is a purpose for the Church? Compare the Church and Academy A place of genuine study and learning (you want a comprehensive textbook?) A place of putting your money where your mouth is (you want to do good in this world and make a difference?) A place of learning and living by peer review (you want to be really accountable or actually want to be free to do your own agenda?) A place of truth to fend off error. (you think everything is subjective or relative?) A place of global and multicultural oneness moens/2013 9
Questions? moens/2013 10
