Christian Church
From Open Encyclopedia
The term Christian Church expresses the idea that organised Christianity (the Christian religion) is seen as an institution. The phrase "The Church" in its widest sense (as "the Body of Christ") has a similar breadth. In traditional Christianity, the term translates ecclesia (in Greek, εκκλησια).
In historical context, the term may refer to the Catholic Church as the oldest and most established institution of Christianity —claiming apostolic succession from Saint Peter. The Catholic Church remained dominant after the Great Schism of 1054, and it was not until the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century (~1517) that the current divisions between Protestantism and Catholicism became proportionally significant.
In practice, the monolithic "Christian Church" has fragmented almost from its beginnings. Over the centuries many individual Christian churches have emerged, each functioning in their own institutional manner and often viewing each other as sectarian or heretical. Thus definitions of the one "true" Christian Church may vary widely.
The term Christian Church may also refer to particular denominations within Christianity, such as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ or the Christian Church of North America.
