Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices by Frank Viola, George Barna
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Book Reviews of Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
Book Review: Christian Syncritism
Summary: 4 Stars
It is good to see it all in print. As one who has been accused of syncritism in Native American Churches, this book reveals the extent of the practice of syncritism inheirant in Christianity. Some of the repetition weakens the argument of the book; but, over all, every Christian should read this. Book Review: Amazing Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book confirms so much of what we've been feeling for a long time! It's incredible to see this reality taking shape in our area. Thanks Frank! The body of Christ needed this! Keep 'em coming, bro!Book Review: Interesting information poor conclusions
Summary: 1 Stars
The fact that George Barna is the co-author should be an indicator that this book is going to have problems. He was the one who wrote the book (as I remember it) "Marketing the Church". He seems to flip-flop his views quite often. He's a statistician, so his views are often more shaped by polls and statistics than Scripture.
Viola's view is that virtually the entire way that church is done is both secular and pagan and fights against church fellowship. He does bring about a few points worth looking at, but mixed in with that are proof-texts out of context to prove his points (interesting that he devotes a section of the book to the danger of prooftexting).
All in all, although a few points worth meditation were brought out, I was very turned off by the way Scriptures were poorly quoted, for example, Viola quotes 1Co 14:26 as proof that a church meeting should be everyone teaching each other, everyone getting to lead in song (this person leads this song, that person that one), everyone speaking in a tongue. But the obvious context of the passage is Paul is rebuking the church for functioning in this way and so it actually works against his point rather than prove it, but taken out of context, it becomes a proof-text. That says to me that there is greater concern in making a point than keeping the full integrity of Scripture.
Would I recommend this book? No. Although it did make me think about some things and ask myself why I do certain things, for the most part my conclusions about body life are pretty much the same as before. I appreciate the fact that Viola wants to see the church engage more as a body than an event, and I don't mind him doing church the way he does, but he suggests Scripture is on his side (which again I cannot see any real support for this) and that if we don't see the church functioning the way he does church, we are caught up in Greek/Roman thought and paganism.
Book Review: Pagan Christianity: changing the mindset of how we do church
Summary: 5 Stars
Pagan Christianity has got to be one of the most important books for right now! As people are coming out of structured, organized religion and church, realizing that there has to be something more than what has gone before, this book sets out to totally shift our minds into a new paradigm.
The realization that EVERYTHING that we do, and have done, in church is man made, man created and man developed, ought to tell us something about why it isn't working, why the church doesn't have any influence in the cities where they are, why there is so much abuse of authority and why there is so much false doctrine being taught in the church today.
I say ...Hurray!! ..and a big HALLELUJAH!!! to Frank Viola and George Barna for not only approaching the subject, but delving into it head on and in depth. After reading this, there is no question that the way we have been doing things is not from God. The only question I have is....How is God going to do it? How is He going to change the face of the way we do church in this moment in time.
Things are definately shifting into a Kingdom mindset. The Bride is being readied for His glorious return. People get ready...Jesus is coming!!
Book Review: Astounding Eye Opener!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a factual person. I have many times become very frustrated with persons when they present something as biblical fact and cannot back it up scripturally. This is what I love about this book.
Not only are you presented with history but you are given the evidence yourself to research and make your determination with. It is a very Berean concept and I love it.
Scriptures tell us to test the spirits and that men should be proven. This is what I think Mr. Viola & Mr. Barna have accomplished here. They have proven that this is not just the ramblings of some renegade group of wayward believers stuck in a house, hating on the institutional church. These are true men of faith who are wanting to walk with their Lord and Savior in the fullest measure of truth and their hearts desire is to see the rest of the Body Of Messiah accomplish the same. It provides us with the opportunity to make an informed, factual decision about the IC (institutional church) as it is today and whether or not we are willing to settle or come out of our comfort zones and reach for more.
I came upon this book by accident. I had felt in my spirit for a long time that something was "not right" with the IC. Through the leading of the spirit, I was moved to spend some time alone in prayer with the Lord and try and figure out what was happening to me. In the course of this time, I received an email stating that George Barna had a new book out with a link. I thought, "Wow, George Barna. My pastor loved his Revolution Book! He used it in some of his teachings. Maybe I should check it out and let him know about it" Little did I know that my pastor had taken some things from Mr. Barna's "Revolution" out of context in the purpose of using it to strengthen his point in his teaching and neglected to mention what the rest of the book said. Why? Because it is not something he wanted his congregation to know!
After clicking on the link and reading a small excerpt, I was stunned! It confirmed everything I had been feeling in my spirit for years! I ran to Borders to buy it and never looked back.
I never mentioned the book to my pastor. He would never approve of this book and would never want the congregants to read it!
Over the next few weeks, I received confirmation in so many other ways that this was truth. Not to mention my own research that I did based on the facts provided in the book, internet & library research and simply things the Lord placed in my path that I wasn't even seeking. It is truth.
I highly recommend this book & say that it will force you to do one of two things: 1) Face the facts and move forward or 2) Ignore the facts, quench the Spirit and stagnate. It's your choice. Don't read it unless you really want the truth and are prepared to get rid of your "boxes".
I pray that He will give you eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart open and ready to receive His truth.