Difference between revisions of "Bride of Christ" - New World Encyclopedia
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | *Gardner, Laurence. ''Bloodline of the Holy Grail: The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed''. Fair Winds Press; | + | *Gardner, Laurence. ''Bloodline of the Holy Grail: The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed''. Fair Winds Press; 2002. ISBN 978-1931412926. |
| − | * Hanson, Dr. Sharon. ''The Marriage of the Bride of Christ''. Lulu Enterprises, UK Ltd | + | * Hanson, Dr. Sharon. ''The Marriage of the Bride of Christ''. Lulu Enterprises, UK Ltd, 2006. ISBN 978-1847287885. |
| − | * Inglis, Cecilia. ''Cecilia: Bride of Christ & Beyond''. Penguin Global | + | * Inglis, Cecilia. ''Cecilia: Bride of Christ & Beyond''. Penguin Global, 2004. ISBN 978-0143001294. |
| − | * Ingram, John. ''Beyond Da Vinci: The True Bride of Christ''. AuthorHouse | + | * Ingram, John. ''Beyond Da Vinci: The True Bride of Christ''. AuthorHouse, 2006. ISBN 978-1425945091. |
| − | * Johnston, William. ''Mystical Theology: The Science of Love''. Orbis Books | + | * Johnston, William. ''Mystical Theology: The Science of Love''. Orbis Books, 1998. ISBN 978-1570751752. |
| − | *Lawley, Martha. ''Attending the Bride of Christ''. Lifeway Church Resources | + | *Lawley, Martha. ''Attending the Bride of Christ''. Lifeway Church Resources, 2005. ISBN 978-1415820919. |
| − | *Mitchell, Stephen. ''The Gospel According to Jesus Christ''. Harper Perennial | + | *Mitchell, Stephen. ''The Gospel According to Jesus Christ''. Harper Perennial, 1993. ISBN 978-0060923211. |
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | *[http://www.gotquestions.org/bride-of-Christ.html What does it mean that the church is the bride of Christ?] GotQuestions.org | + | Retreived November 23, 2007. |
| − | *[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LAL/is_1_32/ai_94331936 The Bride of Christ : a problematic wedding - Ephesians 5:22-33] Biblical Theology Bulletin, Spring, 2002 by Carolyn Osiek. | + | *[http://www.gotquestions.org/bride-of-Christ.html What does it mean that the church is the bride of Christ?] ''GotQuestions.org'' |
| − | *[http://www.seekerstrove.com/bride.html The Bride of Christ: Is the Church really Christ's bride?] SeekersTrove.com - Where the Bible is King. | + | *[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LAL/is_1_32/ai_94331936 The Bride of Christ : a problematic wedding - Ephesians 5:22-33] Biblical Theology Bulletin, Spring, 2002 by Carolyn Osiek. ''findarticles.com'' |
| − | *[http://www.jimfeeney.org/brideofchrist.html The Bride of Christ] by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D. | + | *[http://www.seekerstrove.com/bride.html The Bride of Christ: Is the Church really Christ's bride?] ''SeekersTrove.com'' - Where the Bible is King. |
| − | *[http://www.hebroots.org/bridch14.html#CHAP14 Who Is The Bride of Christ?] Chapter 14; by Eddie Chumney; Hebraic Heritage Ministries International. | + | *[http://www.jimfeeney.org/brideofchrist.html The Bride of Christ] by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D. ''www.jimfeeney.org'' |
| − | *[http://www.sacred-texts.com/journals/oc/pc-bc.htm The Bride of Christ] by Paul Carus; The Open Court Publishing Co. (1907). | + | *[http://www.hebroots.org/bridch14.html#CHAP14 Who Is The Bride of Christ?] Chapter 14; by Eddie Chumney; Hebraic Heritage Ministries International. ''www.hebroots.org'' |
| − | *[http://www.gracepoints.com/articles/gpbrideofchrist.php The Bride of Christ] Grace Points.com | + | *[http://www.sacred-texts.com/journals/oc/pc-bc.htm The Bride of Christ] by Paul Carus; The Open Court Publishing Co. (1907). ''www.sacred-texts.com'' |
| − | *[http://www.stcatherines.org/StCatherine.htm The Legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria] | + | *[http://www.gracepoints.com/articles/gpbrideofchrist.php The Bride of Christ] ''Grace Points.com'' |
| − | *[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Catherine_of_Alexandria Catherine of Alexandria] | + | *[http://www.stcatherines.org/StCatherine.htm The Legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria] ''www.stcatherines.org'' |
| − | *[http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19980301/SAINTS/ST_CATH.HTM Saint Catherine of Siena] | + | *[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Catherine_of_Alexandria Catherine of Alexandria] ''Orthodox Wiki'' |
| − | *[http://www.stthomasirondequoit.com/SaintsAlive/id372.htm St. Catherine de' Ricci] | + | *[http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19980301/SAINTS/ST_CATH.HTM Saint Catherine of Siena] ''www.domestic-church.com'' |
| − | *[http://www.archbishopmilingo.org/statement_end_mandatory_celibacy.htm The End of Mandatory Celibacy!] Statement by His Grace Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo National Press Club, Washington, DC July 12, 2006 | + | *[http://www.stthomasirondequoit.com/SaintsAlive/id372.htm St. Catherine de' Ricci] ''www.stthomasirondequoit.com'' |
| − | *[http://www.marriedpriests.org/ MarriedPriests.org] | + | *[http://www.archbishopmilingo.org/statement_end_mandatory_celibacy.htm The End of Mandatory Celibacy!] Statement by His Grace Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo National Press Club, Washington, DC July 12, 2006. ''www.archbishopmilingo.org'' |
| − | *[http://atheism.about.com/od/romancatholicism/a/celibacy.htm History of Celibacy in Catholicism: Catholic Priests, Celibacy, Marriage] | + | *[http://www.marriedpriests.org/ ''MarriedPriests.org''] |
| − | *[http://www.thenazareneway.com/life_of_st_mary_magdalene.htm The Legend of Mary Magdalene] The Nazarene Way of Essenic Studies. | + | *[http://atheism.about.com/od/romancatholicism/a/celibacy.htm History of Celibacy in Catholicism: Catholic Priests, Celibacy, Marriage] ''atheism.about.com'' |
| + | *[http://www.thenazareneway.com/life_of_st_mary_magdalene.htm The Legend of Mary Magdalene] The Nazarene Way of Essenic Studies. ''www.thenazareneway.com'' | ||
Revision as of 17:58, 24 November 2007
The term Bride of Christ is normally a metaphorical reference to the body of believers of the Christian Church, or the Ecclesia, although the term has several other meanings and has long been debated by Judeo-Christian scholars. [1] The reference originates from the Old Testament prophets who described Israel as God's bride.[2]
In the Roman Catholic Church, the image of the Church as Christ's bride has also been connected or associated with nuns and consecrated virgins.[3] A less common metaphorical expression is to be found in believers who report a "mystical union" with Jesus Christ. For others in history, the image has been described as a more personal, spiritual relationship with Jesus. Several examples include Anne Catherine Emmerich, Joanna Southcott, Gertrude Morgan, Åsa Waldau, Catherine of Alexandria, Catherine of Siena, and Catherine de' Ricci.
In addition there is the idea of a literal, physical bride of Jesus during the period of his ministry, especially in the person of Mary Magdalene. Although considered heresy within most of Christianity, the suggestion of such person has persisted, recently being revived through contemporary interpretations of the legend of the Holy Grail.
Old Testament background
In Old Testament accounts by various prophets, the ancient Israelites are characterized most often as the Chosen People. Additionally, thy are sometimes referred to as the spouse of God. Jeremiah 3:8, for example, states: "I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries." Hosea refers specifically to the people of Israel as God's "betrothed" or "wife" of God and prophecies God's reconciliation with his estranged people, declaring: "In that day," declares the Lord, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master (Ba'al).'" (Hosea 2:16)
Such an intimate and "elect" relationship as God's bride has subsequently been claimed by Christians, who see themselves as a "new Israel."
The Church as the Bride
The imagery of the bride has often been applied to the body of believers known as The Church. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is referred to as the bridegroom, sacrificing for and ultimately dying for his chosen bride. [4] Traditionally, just as there is a betrothal period during which bride and groom are separated until the wedding, so is the bride of Christ separated from her bridegroom until the time of their "wedding" at the Second Coming. Her responsibility during the betrothal period is seen as waiting watchfully and "being faithful" to him. [5] In further prophecy, it is said that at the time of the Second Coming of Christ, the bride (or Church) will be united with the Bridegroom and the official wedding ceremony—the Marriage Supper of the Lamb—will take place, resulting in the eternal union of Christ and his bride at last. [6]
Also, the bride (or Church) will finally inhabit the heavenly city known as New Jerusalem or “the holy city”. [7] In his vision or revelation, John of Patmos sees the city and its inhabitants coming down from heaven, adorned “as a bride.”
Mystical Marriage
In Christianity, virginity has been considered from the earliest centuries as a special offering made by the soul to its spouse, Jesus Christ. In contemporary Roman Catholicism, for both nuns and priests, celibacy (or "consecrated virginity") represents a calling to "mystical union" with Christ himself.
Various notions have developed, and the phrase "mystical marriage" has come to be viewed in two basic senses; one wide, one more restricted. According to Roman Catholicism, "in many of the lives of the saints, the wide sense is intended. Here the mystical marriage consists in a vision in which Christ tells a soul that He takes it for His bride."[8]
Catherine of Sienna, in the final years of her life, purportedly "besought her Divine Bridegroom to let her bear the punishment for all the sins of the world" after a life filled with the "wonderful spiritual fellowship of disciples round her, both men and women united to her by the bonds of mystical love."[9] St. Catherine of Alexandria, a virgin and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church, by some accounts also experienced such mystical bonds, even marriage, to Christ. However, today, the Catholic Church takes a fairly cautious approach to such experiences, making little or no official mention of such accounts.[10] St. Catherine de' Ricci (1522-1590), a Dominican nun, came to be known for her highly mystical life, especially for her ecstasies of the Passion (or suffering during crucifixion) of Christ at the same time each day for 12 years. Further, she was given in "mystical marriage" to Christ in 1542, evidenced by a "ring" that some reportedly saw on her index finger.[11]
In the more restricted sense, the term "mystical marriage" refers to that mystical union with God which is the most exalted condition attainable by the soul in this life, also sometimes called a "transforming union," "consummate union," or "deification". For Saint Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross this was represented as the ascent of the soul toward perfect union or "the seventh resting-place" of the "interior castle."
A literal bride?
The idea that Mary Magdalene was the literal bride or wife of Jesus Christ has been popularized by several recent books and films, including, Holy Blood, Holy Grail (1982), The Gospel According to Jesus Christ (1991), Bloodline of the Holy Grail: The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed (1996), and most prominently, The Da Vinci Code (2003). A recent discovery of a tomb containing caskets with the names of Yeshua and Miriam etched on them produced a controversial television documentary on The Lost Tomb of Jesus, reputedly, a possible tomb of the historical Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and their family.[12] The (Gnostic) Gospel of Philip depicts Jesus in relation to Mary Magdalene as such that [he] "loved her more than all the disciples, and used to kiss her often on her mouth." [13]
Such notions are considered heretical by orthodox Christianity, but have persisted in folklore and myth throughout the centuries.
Notes
- ↑ Ephesians 5:22-23
- ↑ Isaiah 54:9. Bible, see also Hosea, Ezekiel and the Song of Solomon.
- ↑ Consecrated virgins and widows. Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- ↑ Ephesians 5:25-27
- ↑ 2 Corinthians 11:2
- ↑ Revelation 19:7-9
- ↑ Revelation 21:10
- ↑ Mystical Marriage
- ↑ Catholic Encyclopedia - St. Catherine of Siena
- ↑ "transformed and distorted by fantastic and diffuse descriptions . . ."
- ↑ St. Catherine de'Ricci
- ↑ The Lost Tomb of Jesus
- ↑ The Gospel of Philip; The Nag Hammadi Library
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Gardner, Laurence. Bloodline of the Holy Grail: The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed. Fair Winds Press; 2002. ISBN 978-1931412926.
- Hanson, Dr. Sharon. The Marriage of the Bride of Christ. Lulu Enterprises, UK Ltd, 2006. ISBN 978-1847287885.
- Inglis, Cecilia. Cecilia: Bride of Christ & Beyond. Penguin Global, 2004. ISBN 978-0143001294.
- Ingram, John. Beyond Da Vinci: The True Bride of Christ. AuthorHouse, 2006. ISBN 978-1425945091.
- Johnston, William. Mystical Theology: The Science of Love. Orbis Books, 1998. ISBN 978-1570751752.
- Lawley, Martha. Attending the Bride of Christ. Lifeway Church Resources, 2005. ISBN 978-1415820919.
- Mitchell, Stephen. The Gospel According to Jesus Christ. Harper Perennial, 1993. ISBN 978-0060923211.
External Links
Retreived November 23, 2007.
- What does it mean that the church is the bride of Christ? GotQuestions.org
- The Bride of Christ : a problematic wedding - Ephesians 5:22-33 Biblical Theology Bulletin, Spring, 2002 by Carolyn Osiek. findarticles.com
- The Bride of Christ: Is the Church really Christ's bride? SeekersTrove.com - Where the Bible is King.
- The Bride of Christ by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D. www.jimfeeney.org
- Who Is The Bride of Christ? Chapter 14; by Eddie Chumney; Hebraic Heritage Ministries International. www.hebroots.org
- The Bride of Christ by Paul Carus; The Open Court Publishing Co. (1907). www.sacred-texts.com
- The Bride of Christ Grace Points.com
- The Legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria www.stcatherines.org
- Catherine of Alexandria Orthodox Wiki
- Saint Catherine of Siena www.domestic-church.com
- St. Catherine de' Ricci www.stthomasirondequoit.com
- The End of Mandatory Celibacy! Statement by His Grace Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo National Press Club, Washington, DC July 12, 2006. www.archbishopmilingo.org
- MarriedPriests.org
- History of Celibacy in Catholicism: Catholic Priests, Celibacy, Marriage atheism.about.com
- The Legend of Mary Magdalene The Nazarene Way of Essenic Studies. www.thenazareneway.com
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