Churches often identify themselves with their buildings, even though Scripture does not. How did this happen?
A full-length book is needed to fully explain the cultural and theological history about how the church began to identify itself with buildings. I will try to summarize it in a few blog posts. If you want to read more, I highly recommend The Subversion of Christianity by Jacques Ellul, and Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna.
This post summarizes the first 100 years or so of church history, much of which you can read about in Acts and the Epistles.
When considering the history of church buildings, it is crucial to remember that almost all of the first followers of Jesus were Jewish. There were a few Samaritans (cf. John 4) and an isolated Gentile or two (Matt 8:5-10; 15:21-28), but for the most part, the masses that followed Jesus were Jewish. Even after the birth of the church in Acts 2, the vast majority of the early Christians were Jewish, and most of the Gentiles who converted were “God fearers” which means that they knew and respected the teachings of Judaism, and even followed many of the Jewish traditions and practices (cf. Acts 10:2).
Therefore, when the early Christians were trying to figure out how to worship and fellowship in their new communities, it was natural and normal for them to look to their Jewish roots for guidance. The most readily available Jewish community institution for instruction, prayer, fellowship, and support was the Synagogue. Members of the Synagogue met several times a week for prayer and teaching, often met together for meals, and supported one another as needs became known. Synagogues usually had a designated building to meet in, but if a Synagogue was just starting, or the members were poor, they would meet in homes. This is how Jewish synagogues still function today.
The early church adopted this pattern. They did not invent “house churches.” It is somewhat unlikely they even sat down to think about how they should function, but simply adopted the patterns and structure they already knew from the Synagogue. Initially, they probably even met in Synagogue buildings until the Jewish leadership kicked them out for believing that Jesus was the Messiah. When this occurred, many of them started synagogues in their homes, according to the Jewish pattern. As they gained members, however, few groups were allowed to construct synagogues of their own because of persecution by the Jews.
As Gentiles were added to the church, they often followed the Jewish traditions, and met in home synagogues as well. Not being Jewish, and due to persecution, they probably did not call their gathering a “synagogue” (Gk. sunēgogon, meaning “to assemble, gather together”) and went instead with the related term “ekklēsia” (“to assemble, come together”) which gets translated as “church.” Sometimes, when they outgrew homes, they met other gathering places, such as community educational centers (Acts 19:9). The issue was not where or when they met, but how and why. The purpose was always for teaching, encouragement, and the mutual edification of other believers. Buildings were not the goal or focus on the church gatherings.
However, in the early fourth century, something happened which changed all this. We’ll look at that event tomorrow.
Both of the books you mention are great, especially Ellul’s.
We often assume that the way we do things is not only the way it’s always been done, but the way it should be done, do we not? Sometimes we’re not even sure why we do things the way we do them. I think of the story “The Roast With the Ends Cut Off” (look it up with your search engine).
So it is with the church. Why are we so attached to buildings and properties? Why do we think we need paid church staff? Why do we think we need “worship” songs and a sermon? Power point? A baptismal? A children’s program, women’s ministry, teen activities, etc., etc., etc? What is the reason for all of these things? Did Jesus or the early church do them or suggest them? If not, then what is their origin? Does it make any difference?
I have heard churchmen expound on these developments as the natural evolution that takes place within any organization. The organization adapts to the wishes and needs of the customers or membership. “If you don’t change with the times, the culture will leave you in the dust.”
Does that make sense for the church? Does it make sense for the church to own billions upon billions of dollars worth of property when those same dollars could provide vaccinations and clean water for every person in the world with money left over? Will million dollar properties somehow bring the Kingdom of God to earth, or might sharing our goods with the poor better accomplish that goal?
Do churchmen squirm in their seats wrestling with such questions? Or is it easier to put those questions on the back burner and decide that “We had one new believer last year” (the average per church in the USA) “and ten baptisms” (nine of which were re-baptisms). “We need somewhere to keep our teens off the street, and we have a great teen center for OUR KIDS.”
Three hundred thousand or more churches in the just the USA means lots and lots of people depend on them for a paycheck, from the pastor to the gardener. They don’t want to hear this nonsense. Instead, let’s talk about abortion, gay marriage and the role of women. That will get lots of interest and divert most people’s attention from the real issues.
I am looking forward to the rest of your posts in this series.
Fantastic comment. You’re reading my mind! It really is amazing to see how much the American church spends on buildings.
Hmm..interesting article. I’m interested in what happened to change it but I’ll wait 🙂 Are there Christians in today’s day that consider their churches “synagogues”?
I don’t think so. Not unless you count “Messianic Jews.”
I am a 63 year old Christian. I teach Sunday School & have most of my adult life. I also serve in a leadership role with my denominational association. I am, however, becoming disillusioned with ‘church’ or ‘religion,’ where it seems we are content to ‘hide’ ourselves in a church building, throw open the doors, & expect the lost to flock into the pews. I see this is spiritual deception from hell itself. I am intrigued about your blog on the history of buildings becoming the center of worship – “The Synagogue Was The First Church Building.” At the close, you mention something happening in the 4th century to change this perception. How can I obtain the continuation of your blog? Thanks.
Hmmm. As this post was written so long ago, I do not recall which post comes after it…. You could probably go to the archives at https://redeeminggod.com/archives/ and find this particular post and then look for the post or two that follows it… (which will be HIGHER on the list).
It’s all about merchandising. The churches are all selling a false gospel. Just as the nation of Israel was completly disobedient from the moment they came out of isreal , so the the church age also was a complete failure from the very start. Galatians 1:6