The late Cardinal Avery Dulles authored a brilliant study of the nature of the Church, titled Models of the Church. Published originally in 1974, he issued a second, revised, edition in 1991. The new edition added a new model to be considered, bringing the total to 6:
The Church as...
- an institution
- a mystical communion
- a sacrament
- a herald
- a servant
- a community of disciples
Each of these models offers an important perspective of what the Church is, why it is and what its purpose and function is.
In this brief reflection, I hope to offer an additional perspective that unites Old and New Testament revelation with relatively current theological concepts.