Americans think of a building, a denomination, or a place of worship, whether Christian or not. This misconception has been passed down from generation to generation as fact. To change this mindset is a monumental task. Part of the problem stems from the translation of Christian Scriptures into English and other languages.
The word translated in the Christian Scriptures (The New Testament) occurs only twice in the Gospels. Matthew 16:18 states, “18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” The Greek word for church in this verse is ekklēsia.
Dr. Bernard Brandon Scott, the Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament Emeritus, Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, states, “The basic meaning of the Greek ekklēsia is assembly or gathering. In ordinary Greek, it most often refers to the citizens of a city gathering to decide political issues and less frequently to an assembly of the devotees of a god. It is not a religious word.”
Dr. Scott also asks, “How should we view these gatherings? They were small, normally five to ten people, maybe at times as many as twenty. They were occasions for eating, drinking, and discussing. They bear no resemblance to modern worship services but more resemble church suppers. The move to formal worship did not occur until the third century.”
Dr. Scott observes, “Seeing ‘church’ as a small gathering, most often in a home, around eating, drinking, and discussion suggests a shift away from institution to small groups based on personal relations.”
Have we missed the design for relationships with God and others by building expensive, gaudy, ostentatious, and ill-designed facilities that often last for a period of time? Have we created a power described in Revelation as part of the evil trinity? Why are people, especially young people leaving organized religion hungry for a spiritual connection that is personal?
The organizations, sects, and buildings called churches should listen to the words of Jesus about organized religion. We will discuss that next time.
The Curious Pilgrims 