Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 304 pages
• Published by: Present Testimony Ministry May 1, 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0966665732
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0966665734
• Book Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 11.2 ounces

Publisher Description
Frank Viola has written numerous books on radical church restoration including "Pagan Christianity," "Reimagining Church," and "The Untold Story of the New Testament Church."

Reader Reviews
First of all, let me say that Frank's book, Pagan Christianity, is a must read! It's scholarly without being complex or too wordy and it's a fair examination of historical reality. I do have a few critical remarks of my own, however, they are minor critiques. This book is excellent! Worth the five stars I gave it. If you are looking for an easy-to-read resource chronicling the origins of modern-day church practices, this is your book! This is one book that will be read again and again and the subject of and resource for many a conversation on the matter of this phenomenon we might well call "churchianity". Having said that, I have to say that I also agree (in part) with some of the book's critics and those who loved this book shouldn't feel threatened or angred by the sub-5-star reviews. Viola's work here, I must agree, is perhaps not quite the caliber of a history text book (so I can't say it's the be-all/end-all resource of resources - though it comes close at times). While there are scores of references in footnotes on every page, it should be noted that a number of the books mentioned are simply references to other authors who happen to draw the same conclusions as Frank - and not necessarily well-known historians or scholars on the subject. That does not make them less-valuable and neither does this mean they are not accurate statements. I simply mean to convey that the critics have a legitimate point of critique here. The book bills itself as being "fully footnoted" as if footnotes alone equal irrefutable evidence. To boasts like this, I must say, "Frank please, we can do without the manipulation sales pitch buddy." ;) Please understand, I have studied much of this subject myself and (though I am no historian expert myself) I do happen to agree with the vast majority of Frank's conclusions in this book and feel they are historically accurate (this is why I wholly recommend this book as a trustworthy resource - not to mention really one of the only books of its kind ever produced), but for technicality's sake, some of the critics comments are justified in the sense that this book is written at more of a high school level. But then, Viola himself would tell you this is the point. A college textbook is not usually much fun to read for the common person and not many would take the time to bother... Not to mention that most people aren't interested in searching through 200 different manuscripts and technical jargon to try and piece together a comprehensible answer to their question. ;) Frank does his audience a HUGE favor by summarizing the details and he does an excellent job in my opinion. Yes, I will agree, there are a few places where he probably could have elaborated more and examined a broader reference of Scripture (I agree with the reviewer who said he would have liked to see an examination of 1 Timothy chapter 5; as indeed this passage in often used by professional preachers to justify ministry salaries). Yes, there are a couple of places in the book where Frank inserts his personal presumptions, though I personally think these are minor details (and to be expected in any book by any author). For example, in one place he makes mention that Abraham's tithe in Genesis was voluntary - yet Scripture does not confirm this presumption (in fact history reveals that it is more likely Abraham was following Arab custom of the day). There are no footnotes to cross-reference on some of these minor points of presumption, but these don't detract from the main point of the book; nor do they discredit it. In fact some are rather insightful and, at the very least, thought-provoking. Yes, there are places that I think would have benefitted from Frank not seeming to presume that house church folks (or those who have read other sources on the same topic or his previous books) would be reading his book. I've watched the reaction of some clueless folks who see the title alone and become disinterested (you would think the title would provoke the opposite effect - but that's the way us out-of-church folks tend to think now that we're out of the "system" and I think Frank falls into this trap a bit as well). I would have to disagree with the reviewer that thinks the book loses focus at the end. On the contrary I think the book ends appropriately. Frank doesn't use this particular book in his series to push his personal home church views, rather he simply gives the goods to the reader to leave them introspecting and laying their thoughts and concerns before the Lord. Rather than telling them what to do - i.e. giving his solution (as so many "Christian" topic books do)- Frank blesses his readers by encouraging them (somewhat indirectly) to press in to the Lord and wait on Him for direction. I love that! It's what sets this book in the solid 5 star category because it's only agenda is to present an accurate historical summary of how most of our modern-day church practices came into existence and briefly why many of these are harmful to the Christian's spiritual growth and maturity and relationships with other believers in the body of Christ. If you want to know more about his views on "church planting", you can always buy another one of his books, but he doesn't tackle that beast here (and I'm glad because I personally challenge the concept Frank titles "the church planter" anyway - but that's another matter for another time). The book is just tops and I would easily say a must read! While it's easy for some to complain, one might consider the fact that probably none of these critics have taken the time to present a better work. Frank clearly did his homework and, in my humble opinion, has done a great service to the body of Christ! Christians ought to read this book if they are sincerely hungry for truth, not just tradition. Too many things Christians call "holy" and "sacred" are such only because man has dared called his concepts "ordained by God" when nothing could be further from the truth. The knowledge this kind of book equips the reader with (even if it's on a more basic level) will aid a believer by helping them to recognize potential religious manipulation and fallacy. Most of all, it will help to remind us that Christ alone should be at the center of our lives - not religious institutions, rituals, formulas, programs, clergy, or anything else. Christ alone must have the preeminence! God bless you all and keep you free in Christ Jesus!