Christians have developed a dual understanding of the Church over time. On one hand, it is seen as a perfect entity where Christ and the Holy Spirit reside within believers, bestowing grace and love. This portrays the Church as an ideal spiritual community. On the other hand, because it is made up of human members, it inevitably experiences shortcomings and imperfections. These flaws are acknowledged and are subject to criticism, reflecting the limitations of its human constituents.

Despite its worldly imperfections, Christians believe that the failings of the Church stem from the human nature of its members rather than from the divine essence of the Church itself. This perspective allows believers to reconcile the Church's spiritual ideals with the reality of human error and fallibility. Thus, while the Church as an institution may face scrutiny, its foundational spiritual core remains untainted by the imperfections of its members.