What Is “The Church?”

Last updated on: January 20, 2021 at 11:02 am by Roger E. Olson

What Is “The Church?” 2021-01-20T11:02:32-05:00 Roger E. Olson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Of course this question—What Is the Church?—is far too “big” for a blog essay to answer. Here is why I am asking this question now, in this forum, and attempting to answer it—however partially.

Over the past few years I have heard and read many people publicly referring to “the American church” or “the Baptist church” or “the evangelical church.” These are misuses of the word “church.” I think journalists are especially guilty of this misuse of language because they should know better.

So this is for them and for you. If you happen to see or hear this misuse of the word “church,” please correct it. Email the person as I have! Write a letter to the editor as I have! And above all, don’t be guilty of misusing the word “church” in this way.

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

To put it simply and bluntly—there is no “the church” (without some qualifier such as the name of a denomination or particular congregation) except the universal Body of Christ that includes all believers, everywhere and at all times.

There is no “the American church.” I assume people who use that language really mean “churches in America” or something like that. But ever that would be far too vague without more specificity. What churches in America? Which ones? “Churches in America” are extremely diverse. They do not all have anything in common except claiming to be churches. There are even “churches in America” that make no claim to be Christian!

There is no “the Baptist church.” Every Baptist church is independent, governing it own affairs without outside interference. One can speak, I suppose, of “Baptist churches” but even then they have very little in common. I will give one example. Here in the U.S. there is a Baptist subdenomination in the Appalachian mountains called the “No Hellers” that do not believe in hell. I could give many, many more surprising examples of the diversity of Baptists in America.

There is no “the evangelical church” – around the world or in America. Evangelicals exist in most denominations and churches and even those that call themselves “evangelical” are extremely diverse. There is no “evangelical headquarters.” Even the National Association of Evangelicals is not a church and contains much diversity and many evangelical churches are not even members of it!

Every time I read or hear “the evangelical church” or “the Baptist church” or “the American church” I wince and cringe. How can journalists and makers of documentaries on Youtube (or wherever) and other educated, smart people know so little and be so wrong? And yet I see and hear this misuse of “church” very often as I peruse newspapers, articles, documentaries, and just listen to people talk.

So what is “the church?” At least for Protestants, it is the universal Body of Christ and is invisible insofar as it has no headquarters or institutional structure. There are headquarters and institutional structures in it, but it has no earthly head or headquarters or institutional structure.

Now, the Roman Catholic Church and some other Christian organizations claim to be the visible and institutional one, unified church of Jesus Christ on earth. But, of course, I do not agree with that claim. And even the RCC admits that some people of God, members of the Body of Christ, are only “mystically united” with the RCC and not formally members of it. I consider that an admission of the invisibility and universality of the Body of Christ—beyond the borders of any organization or institution.

Only God knows for sure who are members of the Body of Christ, the true church.

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment only to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).

Uncategorized

Previous Post

January 16, 2021

Is "Liberal Christianity" Authentic Christianity?

Next Post

January 25, 2021 My Deep Disappointment with Franklin Graham

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Against Liberal Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Four beasts rose from the sea—one like a lion with eagle's wings, one like a bear, one like a leopard, and a fourth terrifying beast. What did these represent?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Four kingdoms Four kings Four judgments Four ages