In the Age of the Post-Ecclesiality (The Emergence of Post-Ecclesiological Modernity)

Abstract

Archim. Grigorios D. Papathomas, In the Age of the Post-Ecclesiality (The Emergence of Post-Ecclesiological Modernity). Since the Crusades, the three major Christian denominations—Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians—have developed conceptions of the Church that diverge from the ancient Pauline (or New Testament) understanding of God’s Church. Catholics have identified their Church with the institution of the Pope, Protestants with their specific confessions, and Orthodox Christians with their concept of “National Christianity.” As a result, Orthodox Christians are often held inexcusable for adopting what is seen as anti-ecclesiastical behavior, despite ad hoc conciliar decisions and recommendations. This has contributed to the fragmentation of the Church wherever it has been established worldwide. This situation strongly indicates that we are living in a distinctly post-ecclesiological era, where Ecclesiology—the study of the Church’s mode of existence—has become increasingly relevant. In an age where Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians all discuss Eucharistic Ecclesiology, one might question: In an era of flawed Ecclesiology, how viable is the Eucharist? For the Church Fathers, if faith was improper, the Eucharist was impossible. But how does this apply to Ecclesiology? Ultimately, the three Ecclesiologies discussed share similar pathologies, regardless of differences in theology, confession, or denomination. Thus, when examining the pathology of a Church’s Ecclesiology, the same principles generally apply to the Ecclesiology of other Churches as well, though specifics and proportions must be considered. Consequently, there are three “sister” Ecclesiologies (analogous to “sister Churches”) that share