In some strains ofChristian theology, theChristian Church may be divided into:
WithinCatholic ecclesiology these divisions are known as the "three states of the Church." The actual language used in theCatechism of the Catholic Church states that "The three states of the Church… at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating 'in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is'."[2]
InProtestant theology, which rejects the doctrine of Purgatory,[3] the Churches Militant and Triumphant are together known as thetwo states of the Church. These divisions are often discussed in the context of the doctrine of thecommunion of saints; although Christians may be physically separated from each other by the barrier ofdeath, they nonetheless remain united to each other in one Church, and support each other inprayer.
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The termmilitant (Latin:militans) has a primary meaning of "being asoldier, performingmilitary service",[4] but it acquired a secondary meaning of "serving, performing service, laboring",[5] with its rootmilito coming to mean "soldier of Christ or God" inMedieval Latin usage.[6] The members of the Church Militant, i.e. those Christians on earth, are engaged inspiritual warfare against sinin order that, when they die, they might enterheaven and join the Church Triumphant.[citation needed] Failing that directly, those who believe in the existence of Purgatory hope to die in astate of grace and join the Church Penitent, to purify themselves of their imperfections and, ultimately, join the Church Triumphant.
The termpenitent (Latin:poenitens orpaenitens) means "repenting, being sorry".[7] Those who constitute the Church Penitent are in Purgatory to satisfy whatever portion of the temporal punishment due for their sins was not satisfied before death. They are in a process of purging their imperfections before entering heaven. It is held that all members of the Church Penitent will eventually join the Church Triumphant.
The alternate termsuffering (Latin:dolens,lit. 'grieving')[8] emphasizes the nature of souls' experience in Purgatory; they aresuffering the temporal consequences of their sins to redemptive effect. The other alternative,expectant (Latin:expectans orexspectans), emphasizes that the souls of Purgatory are awaiting expectantly thebeatific vision of heaven.
The termtriumphant (Latin:triumphans) means "exulting, rejoicing exceedingly", taken from a figurative usage oftriumphus, originally designating theRoman triumph.[9] Those who constitute the Church Triumphant rejoice eternally in theglory of God, to whom they are united in thebeatific vision.
TheCatholic Church commemorates the Church Triumphant and the Church Penitent in itsliturgy on two consecutive days:All Saints' Day on November 1 (the Church Triumphant) andAll Souls' Day on November 2 (the Church Penitent).
These terms are not used in theCatechism of the Catholic Church, an authoritative summary of the teaching of the Catholic Church published in 1994. However, the teaching these terms represent is precisely restated, quotingLumen gentium:
The three states of the Church. "When the Lord comes in glory, and all his angels with him, death will be no more and all things will be subject to him. But at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating 'in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is'."[2]
Anglicans believe that "…the Church on earth is united with the Church in heaven, ('sanctorum communio'). They speak of the 'Church Militant here on earth' and the Church triumphant in heaven. They worship God together with 'angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven.'"[10]
Eric Lund, aLutheran professor, described an analogy relating the Old Testament to the New Testament: "God ordered two altars to be placed in the tabernacle. Fire was transferred from the outer one to the inner one. God also assembled a twofold church: the church militant and the church triumphant. The fire of love will someday be transferred from the church militant to the church triumphant."[11] As such, withinLutheranism, "That is called the Churchmilitant, which in this life is still fighting, under the banner of Christ, against Satan, the world, and the flesh."[12]
Likewise, "That is called the Churchtriumphant, which, being transferred to heavenly rest, and relieved from the labor of fighting, and the danger of being overcome in heaven against all contending powers."[12] Heinrich Schmid, a Lutheran theologian explains that the Church Militant derives her name fromspiritual warfare, citingEphesians 6:10,1 Peter 5:8–9,1 John 5:4,Romans 7:14, andGalatians 5:17; he further states that the Church Triumphant derives her name from spiritual victory, citingRevelation 2:10,Revelation 4:4, andRevelation 7:9.[12]
TheAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church, a part of theWorld Methodist Council, defines the Church Militant as "engaged in constant warfare against the world, the flesh and thedevil, and in that respect is distinguished from the Church Triumphant."[13] It defines the Church Militant as inclusive of allChristian denominations, among themMethodism,Presbyterianism,Baptist churches,Congregational churches,Anglicanism, among many others.[13] In the same fashion, it defines the Church Triumphant as existing "in heaven, and consist[ing] of those who have washed their robes and made them immaculate and pure in theblood of the Lamb."[13]
In Methodist theology, "the communion expressed at the Eucharist is not only within the Church Militant, but is between the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant."[14]
TheSeventh-day Adventist Church defines the terms in the following ways, "While in this world the church is a militant church, daily engaged in the battles of its Lord, and in warfare against satanic agencies. Its members are in constant conflict with the world, the flesh, and the powers of evil (Rom. 7:15–23; Gal. 5:17; 1 Peter 5:8, 9; 1 John 5:4; cf. 1 John 4:4). If this side of the Lord's return the church is the militant church, the church of the New Jerusalem is the triumphant church. It is made up of faithful disciples and conquerors in this worldly battle. They have exchanged the sword for a palm of victory (Rev 7:9) and the cross for a crown (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). The battle is over, the mission accomplished (Matt. 25:21, 23) and the redeemed, invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9), eat and drink at Christ's table in His kingdom (Luke 22:28–30) and reign with Him for ever and ever (Rev 22:5)."[15] Thus, the Seventh-day Adventist view is that the church is the Church Militant until the general resurrection at the end of the present age. The church becomes the Church Triumphant only after the second coming of Christ.
Thetwo states account of the church was adapted byAnatoly Lunacharsky to distinguish between a socialistic culture of the future (Ecclesia triumphans) and proletarian culture of the proletariat struggling in the present against capitalism (Ecclesia militans). This theoretical approach was used in the development ofProletkult.[16]
13 Q. What do the visible and invisible church constitute? A. The church militant, or military church, which is engaged in 'onstant warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil, and in that respect is distinguished from the 'church triumphant.' 14 Q. What do you mean by 'Church Triumphant?" A. The church triumphant is in heaven, and consists of those who have washed their robes and made them immaculate and pure 'in the blood of the Lamb.' 15 Q. The church militant then is upon earth? A. Yes; and comprehends all Christian denominations; viz., Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Episcopalians and many others. 16 Q. Do you mean to say that it takes all the church denominations of the world to constitute the 'church militant?' A. I do. For all these so-called churches are only so many religious societies forming the 'Church militant,' which are recognized by Christ in the aggregate.
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