What exactly does the Catholic church mean when one of its self-descriptors is 'the Church militant" - is this a thological term or political or something else?
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originallyjustme
ANSWERS: 2
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The universal church is divided into three groups, The Church Militant: refers to Christians who are living. The church triumphant: refers to Christians who are in heaven. The CHurch Suffering or Church Expectant: refers to those in purgatory. The latin term Militans has the primary meaning of "serving" as in a soldier, therefore militant in this case means serving God. There is no political or other meaning behind the term. Hope that clarifies it for you.
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The church militant are those members who exist today as apposed to the church triumphant those who have passed away.
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