“What happened at the Council of Trent?”……After the separation of the Eastern and Western churches in 1054, the holding of councils by the pope became a way to give guidance to the church, both locally and ecumenically (for the entire church), on varying ecclesiastical matters. One of the most significant of these was the Council […]

“What is Ecclesiology?”……Ecclesiology is the study of the church. The word Ecclesiology comes from two Greek words meaning “assembly” and “word” – combining to mean “the study of the church.” The church is the assembly of believers who belong to God. Ecclesiology is crucial to understand God’s purpose for believers in the world today. Some […]

“What does it mean that the church is the bride of Christ?”……The imagery and symbolism of marriage is applied to Christ and the body of believers known as the church. These are those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal savior and have received eternal life. In the New Testament, Christ, the Bridegroom, […]

“What is the origin of Christianity?”……“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead . . . the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints . . . Christ in you, the hope […]

“What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church?”……The ability to trace one’s church back to the "first church" through apostolic succession is an argument used by a number of different churches to assert that their church is the "one true church." The Roman Catholic Church makes this […]

“What was the First Great Awakening? What was the Second Great Awakening?”……Answer: The First and Second Great Awakenings (c. 1735-1743 and c.1795-1830, respectively) were theologically significant in that they helped to shape Christian thinking by the intense revivalism they created. Each had leaders who were noteworthy in history, with Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield being […]

“What is the Nazirite/Nazarite vow?”……Answer: The Nazirite/Nazarite vow is taken by individuals who have voluntarily dedicated themselves to God. The vow is a decision, action, and desire on the part of people whose desire is to yield themselves to God completely. By definition, the Hebrew word nazir, simply means "to be separated or consecrated." The […]