Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ARK Practice Questions and Study Guide

The community of believers on Earth is often referred to as The Church Militant. This term emphasizes the active role of Christians who are living and striving to uphold their faith amidst the challenges and adversities of the world. The concept of The Church Militant reflects the idea that believers are engaged in a spiritual struggle, combatting sin and evil while actively practicing and spreading their faith in everyday life.

This designation contrasts with other terms such as The Church Suffering and The Church Triumphant. The Church Suffering refers to the souls in purgatory who are being purified in preparation for their ultimate union with God. The Church Triumphant denotes the saints and souls who have already achieved heaven and who are fully in the presence of God. In contrast, The Church Universal encompasses the entire body of believers, both living and deceased, but does not specifically highlight the ongoing earthly struggles of living believers as The Church Militant does.