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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Religious Institutions and Roles

Church

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/tʃɜːtʃ/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, church means: A building for Christian worship; also a particular Christian community or organization, such as the Catholic Church, or Christians as a whole.

In Turkish: kilise

How it is used

Lowercase for a building (an old church in Kadıköy) and capitalized for an institution (the Orthodox Church, the Church of England). Historians speak of the early church, church fathers, church councils and church and state.

Example sentences

  1. The early church met in private homes before it had buildings of its own.

  2. The Catholic Church has its central administration in Vatican City.

Common collocations

  • go to church
  • the early church
  • church fathers
  • church and state
  • the Catholic Church
  • ChristianityA monotheistic religion based on the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God; it began in the first century CE.
  • priestA person authorized to perform sacred rituals, such as offering sacrifices or administering sacraments, in traditions such as Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity and Hinduism.
  • denominationA recognized branch of a religion, especially of Christianity, with its own name, organization and traditions, such as the Lutheran, Methodist or Baptist churches.
  • liturgyThe fixed order of words, prayers and actions used in public worship, especially in Christian churches; also a particular service, such as the Divine Liturgy.
  • sacramentIn Christianity, a sacred rite believed to be a visible sign through which God's grace is given, such as baptism and the Eucharist.

More terms: Religious Institutions and Roles

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