Spiritual Terms Defined at Ecclesiology
Spiritual, but not Religious Defined
Robert C. Fuller, author of "Spiritual, But Not Religious," had a unique perspective on spirituality. He defined it as the following:
Spirituality exists wherever we struggle with the issue of how our lives fit into the greater cosmic scheme of things. This is true even when our questions never give way to specific answers or give rise to specific practices such as prayer or meditation.
We encounter spiritual issues every time we wonder where the universe comes from, why we are here, or what happens when we die. We also become spiritual when we become moved by values such as beauty, love, or creativity that seem to reveal a meaning or power beyond our visible world. An idea or practice is "spiritual" when it reveals our personal desire to establish a heartfelt relationship with the deepest meanings or powers governing life.
People who see themselves as spiritual, but not religious, reject traditional organized religion, as the sole—or even the most valuable—means of furthering their spiritual growth. Many have had negative experiences with churches or church leaders. For example, they may have perceived church leaders as hypocritical or narrow-minded because they were more concerned with the building of an organization than promoting spirituality. Some may have experienced various forms of emotional or even sexual abuse.
People who forsake formal religious organizations have instead embraced an individualized spirituality that includes choosing from a wide range of alternative religious philosophies. They typically view spirituality as a journey intimately linked with the pursuit of personal growth or development.
preach and heal the sick"
(2 Corinthians 3:6; Matthew 10:7,8)
Unchurched Defined
The unchurched person could be one that did not grow up in a church or have any understanding of the purpose or function of a church. This person could be a fallen away Christian, who no longer attends its church, synagogue, mosque, temple, etc., or one could be an atheist or agnostic.
Ecclesiology Defined
Ecclesiology is an ecclesia that is defined as a fellowshipping (Acts 2:42), assembly or congregation of Christians, organized for spiritual purposes.
Ecclesiology is comprised of Ecclesiologists who are specialists in the science of organic Christianity based on Biblical principles. Ecclesiologists may at times be referred to as ordained Holistic Health & Healing Ministers, Spiritual Guides and Certified Ecclesiologists™ (those having spiritual authority within the organization Ecclesiology).
Holistic Health & Healing Minister Defined
"Keep on speaking what things are fitting for healthful teaching" (Titus 2:1)
Healing can be defined as "the restoring of health to the sick"; "the making sound, or whole of that which is broken or injured"; "the curing of various diseases and defects"; "the returning of a person to a general state of wellbeing." The Hebrew verb ra·pha´´ and the Greek verb i·a´o·mai are the principal words found in the Bible that describe the word healing in both a literal and a figurative sense. The Greek verb the·ra·peu´o is rendered "cure" (Matthew 4:23, 24). Sometimes the process of healing was a gradual matter, and, at other times, it was instantaneous.
(Luke 13:24)
As Christian ministers and footstep followers of Christ, you must be mindful that you are commissioned as "Holistic Health & Healing Ministers" to "heal the sick" (Matthew 10:7, 8), and "you do not need written approval by men to do a healing work as a minister of God" (2 Corinthians 3:1-3). Healing everyone is a command, as verified in the book of Acts 5:16, which states: "The multitudes from the cities around Jerusalem kept coming together, bearing sick people and those troubled with unclean spirits, and they would one and all be cured" by the apostles. "You cannot slave for two masters" (Matthew 6:24).
You cannot allow worldly authorities to deny your spiritual, constitutional rights to serve and obey your God to physically and spiritually assist and heal others who are thirsting for accurate and truthful knowledge through your ministry.
You must finally realize the Bibles' wise counsel: "What sharing does light have with darkness" (2 Corinthians 6:14). People are destroyed for a "lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6), and your ministry is one of "reconciliation" (restoration; to bring back into harmony) according to the book of 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.
Your ministry is designed to assist people to attain an accurate knowledge of Christian, Biblical truths that will set them free, as it is written in the book of John 8:32: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Ecclesiology Defined - Etymology
Ecclesiology comes from the Greek word ekklesia. While the term today is closely tied to the Christian church, its roots are broader.
Ecclesiology - Biblical Etymology
The Septuagint Bible uses ekklesia to translate the Hebrew word qâhâl, meaning a congregation, assembly, company or other organized body (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions). The Old Testament uses of ekklesia are not regarded as referring to the church. For example, the word church does not appear in the King James Version of the Old Testament.
The most generic definition given by Thayer's Greek Lexicon is 'a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place.' This generic sense of the word is used several times in one passage of the New Testament (Acts 19:32, 39 & 41) to a group of Ephesian craftsmen speaking out against the Apostle Paul and his companions, and not referencing a church."