Understandings of the Church explores the ways imagery is used by biblical writers and early Christian teachers such as Cyprian, Ignatius of Antioch, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen to describe the concept of church. Focused on the historical self-understanding of the body of Christ, this resource provides a nuanced treatment of how different authors interacted with ecclesiology. Pastors, scholars, and lay-Christians will be able to utilize this text to better understand their corporate identity as a part of the church.