What is the definition of the universal or Catholic Church according to the provided text?

The universal or Catholic Church is defined as being comprised of all the elect across time, united under Christ. This definition emphasizes the inclusiveness and timelessness of the Church. It encompasses all believers, regardless of their geographical location or denominational affiliation, highlighting a spiritual unity that transcends specific contexts.

This understanding aligns with the theological perspective that the Church is not limited to a particular congregation, denomination, or even a specific era in history. Instead, it recognizes that all Christians, who have been chosen (the elect), form a singular body united through faith in Jesus Christ. This idea of unity under Christ is foundational to the concept of the Church as a whole being part of the body of Christ, emphasizing the collective nature of salvation and spiritual fellowship among believers from different backgrounds and times.

The other definitions, while they may capture certain elements of church structure or community, do not encompass the full breadth of what the universal Church represents in Christian theology. They focus on localized or hierarchical aspects rather than the overarching inclusivity that defines the Catholicity of the Church in a spiritual sense.