Bride of Christ

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"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." (Revelation 21:2)

The term Bride of Christ can be found in Torah, the Old Testament and in the New Testament. It has long been debated and interpreted withinJudeo-Christian circles as both a literal and metaphorical reference. Literally, the most common expression is to be found in believers who report a "mystical union" with Jesus Christ. The idea of a literal, physical bride of Jesus on earth during the period of his ministry (or Incarantion)is however, considered an unthinkable heresy within most all Christendom. However, the suggestion of such an idea has persisted and has recently been revived, particularly through contemporary interpretations of the legend of the Holy Grail.

Metaphorically, the Bride of Christ is a term most often representing the body of believers of the Christian Church or the Ecclesia. The reference originates from the Old Testament prophets who described Israel as God's bride.

In the Catholic church, this image of the Church as Christ's bride has been connected or associated with nuns and consecrated virgins. For some women, the image describes a more personal, mystical 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.

Mystical Marriage

Marriage of the Virgin (Raphael) (1504)

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Hanson, Dr. Sharon. The Marriage of the Bride of Christ. Lulu Enterprises, UK Ltd (November 7, 2006). ISBN 978-1847287885.
• Inglis, Cecilia. Cecilia: Bride of Christ & Beyond. Penguin Global (February 15, 2004). ISBN 978-0143001294.
• Ingram, John. Beyond Da Vinci: The True Bride of Christ. AuthorHouse (July 20, 2006). ISBN 978-1425945091.
• Johnston, William. Mystical Theology: The Science of Love. Orbis Books (March 1998). ISBN 978-1570751752.
• Lawley, Martha. Attending the Bride of Christ. Lifeway Church Resources (2005). ISBN 978-1415820919.

External Links

• 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.
• 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.
• Who Is The Bride of Christ? Chapter 14; by Eddie Chumney; Hebraic Heritage Ministries International.
• The Bride of Christ by Paul Carus; The Open Court Publishing Co. (1907).
• The Bride of Christ Grace Points.com.
• The Legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
• Catherine of Alexandria article on Orthodox Wiki.
• Saint Catherine of Siena
• St. Catherine de' Ricci

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