Ecclesiology
/ɪˌkliːziˈɒlədʒi/noun
The theological study of the nature, structure, history, and mission of the Christian Church.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, an ekklēsia was a civic assembly summoned by a herald, so the word began in public authority before becoming a technical term for Christian theology.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kelh₁-
“To call, summon, or proclaim aloud”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia)
“A public assembly called together; later, the Christian church”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐκκλησιαστικός (ekklēsiastikos)
“Pertaining to the assembly or church”
Late Greek
Greek
ἐκκλησιολογία (ekklēsiologia)
“A study or account concerning the church”
19th Century
English
ecclesiology
“The theological study of the Christian Church”
Modern English
English
ecclesiology
“The systematic study of the Church’s nature, organization, and mission”