Question 1

What does the term "ekklesia" reveal about the original meaning of the church?

Accepted Answer

In the early period between A.D. 33 and 125, the word "church" did not refer to a physical building or a location. It was derived from the Greek word *ekklesia*, which literally means a "called-out assembly." During this time, the church was defined as the people themselves meeting in private homes as a living body, rather than a place people "went to" for worship.

Question 2

How did the architecture of church buildings change the way people practiced their faith?

Accepted Answer

The shift to massive basilicas under Emperor Constantine mirrored the design of Roman law courts, featuring long aisles and raised platforms. This "architecture of obedience" physically moved the focus from an internal spiritual experience to a top-down hierarchy. It transformed the congregation from active participants in a communal meal into a passive audience watching a sacred ritual performed by a leader on a platform.

Question 3

What was the "strategy of capture" employed by Emperor Constantine?

Accepted Answer

Secular historians suggest that Constantine’s support of Christianity was a political calculation to provide "moral glue" for a fracturing Roman Empire. By patronizing the church, exempting it from taxes, and presiding over councils like Nicaea, he effectively turned a radical movement into a "state within a state." This merger allowed the empire to use the church as a mechanism for social unity and population management, often enforcing theological agreement through state power.

Question 4

How did the role of church leadership evolve from the first century to the fourth century?

Accepted Answer

Originally, leadership was local and plural, consisting of a "community co-op" of elders and deacons focused on functional service like caring for widows. Over time, this evolved into "monoepiscopacy," where a single bishop held authority over a city. Eventually, this became a "clericalized" system where spiritual gifts were concentrated in the hands of a few professionals, creating a divide between the "sacred" clergy and the "ordinary" laity.

Question 5

What is the difference between the "religion of Jesus" and the "religion about Jesus"?

Accepted Answer

The "religion of Jesus" refers to his original radical message of a spiritual revolution, direct access to God, and ethical demands for justice in this world. In contrast, the "religion about Jesus" is described as an institutionalized version that focuses on cosmic transactions, personal salvation for the next life, and rigid doctrines. This shift allowed the institutional church to maintain power by acting as a "gatekeeper" or intermediary between the individual and the divine.

Was the church meant to be an institution?

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