Christian Church
From Wikipedia, the free 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 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.
