The church was built on what is thought to be the spot where Moses confronted the Burning Bush, but the Christian community had to confront far more mortal danger in the years following its foundation and its high sturdy protective walls give it the look of a fortress rather than a place of worship.
The Christian community was always in danger so they built walls.
mnli hypothesis: The Christian community was always in danger so they built walls. premise: The church was built on what is thought to be the spot where Moses confronted the Burning Bush, but the Christian community had to confront far more mortal danger in the years following its foundation and its high sturdy protective walls give it the look of a fortress rather than a place of worship.