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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Theology for Dummies - Ecclesiology


ecclesia - 'congregation, church'
ology - 'study of'

Ecclesiology is the theological study of the church and subjects can include everything from how the church started, it relationship to Jesus Christ, leadership, role in salvation and its final destiny.

In many cases, the reasons there are denominations in Christianity is differences in ecclesiology. Sometimes it is about governing structure: Congregational (rule by the congregation), Episcopal (Rule by bishops) or Presbyterian (Rule by elected presbyters), etc. Other times it can be about the churches role in salvation which is the chief dividing line between Catholics and Protestants.

The other subjects are not so much dividing points of disagreement as they are philosophical and theological understandings. These can lead to division as well but are more likely effect an individual's perception of them self inside the church.

When we are talking about ecclesiology we are talking about the church in some way or another.

Next: Eschatology

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