SELECTED IMAGES OF THE CHURCH IN THE ECCLESIOLOGY OF THE HOLY FATHERS

Pavol KOCHAN

asistant professor, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Presov, Masarykova 15, 080 01 Presov, Slovakia, pavol.kochan@unipo.sk, 00421517724729, ORCID: 0000-0002-9692-9310

Abstract

The text of the scientific article describes the basic definitions of Christian ecclesiology, such as the Church, its images, biblical sources. The author selects some biblical images of the Church, which are mentioned in the texts of the Old Testament and supplements them with patristic commentaries. From the early Christian literature of the first centuries, he selects one of the most interesting and valuable images of the Church - the Shepherd of Hermas, which he analytically compares with the teaching of the Holy Fathers about the Church. The text is the subject of the author's long-term interest in this topic, which he has addressed in several scientific and scholarly articles. It systematically summarizes several important knowledge and ideas that he acquired during his research. The ecclesiology of the Holy Fathers is a link between other areas of theology and connects the most important thing - theory with practice, which together are a prerequisite for human salvation.

Keywords

Church, ecclesiology, soteriology, salvation, Holy Fathers, Holy Trinity

SUMMARY

The question of ecclesiology is one of the most serious topics in theology. It is built on several important ideas of the Holy Scripture. The word “Church” itself comes from the Greek word ekklisía, which in content means “gathering in one place”, or also “house of God”. The name describes the essence and character, which is why St. Basil is especially careful in describing the Church itself. The images that church writers rely on have a biblical basis. However, in early literature we also encounter unbiblical, as if innovative names and images of the Church. They have one purpose: to bring the content of the Church and its indispensability in the life of every Christian closer to man. Whoever does not enter the Church as a community, but shuns it, will not be able to enter into communion with the Persons of the Holy Trinity and without this will not achieve personal salvation. This is also the reason why we encounter the designation of Christians as “firstborns”, who are heirs of the kingdom of God according to the God-sonship they have received.

(Language: english)

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