Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices Reviews

• Spiritual Revolution Instead of Religious Reformation

  
  By A3GR7IF70JEIDE on 2008-01-27
  "Pagan Christianity? Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices," may very well be the most important book written on the Christian church in the last two millennia. Frank Viola and George Barna team up to give their readers a critical examination of the last 1700 years of church history. Does the institutional church have any biblical and historical right to exist? "Are the practices of the institutional church (the clergy/laity system, salaried pastors, sacred buildings, the order of worship, etc.) God-approved developments to the church that the New Testament envisions? Or are they an unhealthy departure from it?"
  
  The first edition of this book entitled, "Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices" by Frank Viola... is the third book written in a set of five books on church restoration and organic church life. Viola and George Barna, Christian pollster and author of the book "Revolution," have co-authored the newly revised and updated "Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices." Barna brings to the book a fresh look and a polished language that improves on the delivery of Viola's original work. Barna, who has caused no small stink upon his recent confessions regarding the church, makes his decision to leave the institutional church complete with the publication of this book. If it wasn't clear in his book "Revolution"... it is certainly clear now.
  
  I enjoyed the new format of this book. At the end of each chapter, the authors give the reader a "Delving Deeper" section which lists common questions with answers in return. I felt that this helped to clarify what the authors were truly saying in order that fact might be separated from fiction. I also enjoyed the updated references and the plethora of footnotes listed at the bottom of each page. These references may be in a smaller font, but they are the entire foundation of historicity which resulted in the penning of this book. Therefore, the serious reader will not want to overlook the footnotes. The reader will also find the "Summary of Origins" and "Key Figures in Church History" in the back of the book a great help as well. The book may look like a long read... yet, you will find that your interest is peaked beyond that of any other historical book you have ever read. You will read until you are done... or until you have thrown it out the window.
  
  The serious questions raised in this book will give the Christian reader more than enough to wrestle over. Viola traces the pagan origins of almost every church practice that institutional Christianity holds dear and holds it to the light of the New Testament. I remember first reading the original "Pagan Christianity" over a year ago. I had spent 6 years of my life in "vocational ministry" within the institutional church and I had a degree in Religion/Biblical Studies. I had just resigned from my position as Minister to Students/Education because the church's leaders were opposed to fundamental teachings of Jesus. My wife and I saw that we could no longer serve among them. It was during this time that I began to read and study like never before. I was seeking to be a senior pastor in a church somewhere in the United States. I studied church history, ecclesiology, Christology, etc. I was seeking the Lord's will for his church. I compiled a list of what the New Testament described the church looked like in fellowship and among the world. With the help of Viola's book, I quickly realized that my list did not reflect the church I knew and that that church could not be seen in the model of the traditional church. I had to rethink my understanding of it all.
  
  I know how hard this read will be for many people, especially clergy members. "Pagan Christianity?" will, no doubt, be a most uncomfortable read for all those who believe the Body of Christ is an institution. For the clergy member, the read will almost be impossible. At every turn of the page... the flesh will flare up in a horrible display of arrogance and pride. Many will scoff at its claims and discourage others from reading it before an honest examination can be made. If the reader is not prepared to reexamine his faith and practice for a paradigm shift... he or she might as well leave this book well alone. If the reader is not yet at the end of their rope in frustration against the church practices and shallow conception of Christ that is believed and taught within the institutional church... this book will only breed anger and confusion. But, if you were like me a year ago... you are tired and want answers... and you want more of Christ... then please read this book and allow yourself to be moved by it. I encourage you to have an honest conversation with the Lord as you read. And listen to his still small voice.
  
  To the rabid opponents of this book, I strongly recommend you speak to no one before you have done truthful research concerning these matters AND have had an honest conversation with Jesus first. Many will argue that this book only proposes another "form" or method of church. This book is not about forms, but about principles. To argue forms... is to miss the point of this book. Many will make preposterous claims that this book seeks to tear down the church of Jesus Christ, when in all reality... this book exalts Jesus Christ of Nazareth and submits that we return to simple community gathered around his headship free from the inventions of man and religion that hinders the Body from every-member functioning. This book does not propose we mimic the model of first-century Christianity, but that we mimic our Lord. Out of our Lord's commands and the principles of his person and work (i.e. life and teachings) will come normal Christian church life!
  
  Why has this book been written? The authors write, "we have written this book for one reason: to make room for the absolute centrality, supremacy, and headship of Christ in His church." (p.250) This statement alone should be enough for any true follower of Christ to pick up and read. But unfortunately, many people, for whatever reason, will choose to accept slander about the authors (even from trusted pastors) as enough reason to discredit and discount them as credible voices of truth in mainline Christianity. This is an incredible action considering that many institutional churches in the last decade have built their entire plan of attack off the statistical findings of pollster George Barna. On top of that... both of these men boldly proclaim Christ in way that is undeniably and unmistakably from a spirit of love and edification. The premature responses of the majority prove how mankind is driven by mere human emotions and tradition... instead of biblical truth discovered through a consistent and verifiable method of biblical interpretation that seeks to exalt Christ above all things.
  
  This reviewer and ex-clergy member challenges you to consider the message of these men. Compare the claims of this book with the Christ and the church of the New Testament before you decide who and what are truly following and being a reflection of pagan Christianity. All of us must choose between spiritual revolution (i.e. return to Christ) or religious reformation (i.e. tweaking the old pagan systems). One of these will release the church from her chains and free her from the bondage of man's religion to experience the natural faith of Christ. The other will only prolong God's people from beholding Christ in majesty and splendor to the world. There is only one life to live. Choose wisely.
  
  I also recommend reading:
  The Centrality of Jesus Christ (Works of T. Austin-Sparks)
  Going to the Root: Nine Proposals for Radical Church Renewal
  God's Ultimate Passion: Unveiling the Purpose Behind Everything
  Christ the Sum of All Spiritual Things
  The Release of the Spirit
  Paul's Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting, Revised Edition
  
  

• Some valid issues, but wrong (or at least insufficient) solution

  
  By A3NGNFNXXFSCIC on 2008-01-07
  This is a controversial book with tons of valid points, and ultimately, at least for me, an unsatisfying conclusion.
  
  Here, in a nutshell, is the argument of the book:
  
  1. The origin of many of our church practices (examples: church buildings, orders of worship, sermons, pastors, tithing, clergy salaries) is non-biblical and inconsistent with the practice of the early church.
  
  2. Just because something does not appear in the Bible does not mean it is wrong. However, our non-biblical church practices often hinder the development of our faith and keep us from encountering the living God.
  
  3. "The church in its contemporary, institutional form has neither a biblical nor a historical right to function as it does." (p. xx)
  
  4. The church must return to its biblical roots. At a personal level, we must ask questions of church as we know it and pray seriously about what our response should be.
  
  This book threatens a lot that pastors and churches hold dear. But it should be evaluated on the evidence, not on how much it will cost us if they're right.
  
  Most of the book traces the origins of common church practices today. They succeed in showing what should be fairly obvious: many of our practices do not appear in the Bible, which in itself does not make them wrong. Barna and Viola argue, however, that many of these practices are harmful.
  
  It's when you get to their solution that, in my view, the wheels fall off. Viola and Barna argue: ""the church in its contemporary, institutional form has neither a biblical nor a historical right to function as it does." (p. xx)
  
  It could be that Viola and Barna are correct, but I don't think they've proved their case. Pointing out problems with a model means that the problems need addressing. It doesn't necessarily mean that the entire model is wrong.
  
  It's one thing to argue that there are problems with our existing ways of doing church. I'm fully prepared to accept this. It's also OK to argue that other models of church sidesteps these issues, but it could be that they end up encountering a whole set of other issues - as is the case. But is it possible for institutional models to be redeemed? Viola and Barna say no. I'm not so sure.
  
  I'd much prefer to ask questions that get to the heart of the concerns they raise, such as if it's possible for a church to use a building missionally consistent with its true nature. Also, how can we move beyond being pastor-driven, give more to the poor, spend less on institutional maintenance, etc. These questions may or may not lead to shutting down institutional churches, but they need to be answered.
  
  This book, I think, gets at the right questions, but ends up writing too much off. They don't make a sufficient case for anyone to say that almost everyone has got it wrong until now.
  
  In conclusion: Barna and Viola have raised some valid issues. Some dynamics of church life that should be present often aren't. We need to take these seriously. However, their conclusion ultimately falls short. There is room for all kinds of churches, including the institutional and the organic. What matters more than structure is the life contained within. Still, I hope institutional churches will take some of the issues they raise to heart.
  
  

• For those willing to 'take the red pill'

  
  By A3TAEWB8MJTBJQ on 2008-01-18
  Is today's Church into a revolution that will someday be understood as greater than the 16th Century Protestant Reformation?
  
  Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna will certainly add fuel to the fire of those affirming so. Most evangelicals would consider such a suggestion as absurd, or at best, exaggerated. Yet, undeniably, there is a grass roots revolution taking place on a global scale in Christendom about what it means to be the Church of Jesus Christ.
  
  Basically the authors are making three points:
  
  1) A great deal of what we do in church today does not come from the New Testament.
  
  2) Much of what is practiced originated out of Greco-Roman customs and traditions (paganism, not Judaism), and/or human-made inventions.
  
  3) Many of these practices actually hinder the church from being what God designed her to be.
  
  The over-arching question the authors seem to be asking is: Do the practices of modern institutional churches reflect a God-ordained/inspired development, or are they a departure from it?
  
  Of course, one must read the book to understand why Viola and Barna indeed question "church" as most of us know it.
  
  Beware, though. This book comes with a WARNING:
  
  If you are unwilling to have your Christianity seriously examined, do not read beyond this page...Spare yourself the trouble of having your Christian life turned upside down. (pg.7)
  
  A glance at the content chapters will suffice as to the reason for the warning!
  
  1-Have We Really Been Doing It By The Book?
  2-The Church Building: Inheriting the Edifice Complex.
  3-The Order of Worship: Sunday Mornings Set In Concrete
  4-The Sermon: Protestantism's Most Sacred Cow
  5-The Pastor: Obstacle To Every-Member Functioning
  6-Sunday Morning Costumes: Covering Up The Problem
  7-Ministers of Music: Second-String Clergy
  8-Tithing and Clergy Salaries: Sore Spots On The Wallet
  9-Baptism and the Lord's Supper: Diluting The Sacraments
  10-Christian Education: Swelling The Cranium
  11-Reapproaching the New Testament: The Bible Is Not A Jigsaw Puzzle
  12-A Second Glance at the Savior: Jesus The Revolutionary
  -The Next Step
  -Final Thoughts: Q&A with Viola and Barna
  
  If not already offended at some of the chapter titles, I can almost guarantee you will be after reading what is actually said concerning these staples of institutional Christianity! As difficult as it is to read material that questions church as we know it, this is a well documented book, with over 1200 enlightening footnotes from church historians, theologians down through the ages, the reformers and church fathers themselves, and an extensive eleven page bibliography.
  
  Each of the above issues is traced back to its roots of origin and how it evolved over the years into what we have today. The traditions are then examined in the light of what the New Testament actually teaches. Each is shown--in its current form--to NOT be a New Testament practice, but rather, traditions rooted in paganism absorbed by the church down through the ages. Today, what we assume as "normal Christian practices," would have been strange aberrations for first-century believers.
  
  Of all the chapters, the toughest for me to deal with personally was the chapter, Reapproaching the New Testament. The authors question the evangelical church's "clipboard approach" to the Bible where we cut and paste portions of text from one document into another to say "Scripture teaches..." I am still giving this whole issue some thought, but admit a lot of what they point out is true.
  
  But I predict the most controversial chapter will be Chapter Five, "The Pastor" where the birth of the one-bishop rule is traced. Suffice it to say, this makes for some challenging reading, that will most certainly be hotly contested by many in our established church institutions.
  
  One note of clarification: I do not hear the authors saying that because these practices are pagan, that they are wrong. Many things we do today are rooted in paganism (eg. our calendars, days of the week, etc.) What I do hear them asking is, which of these current practices/traditions actually hinder the church from being the church that God designed and ordained her to be?
  
  For those willing to "choose to 'take the red pill' and be shown 'how deep the rabbit hole goes'...if you want to learn the true story of where your Christian practices came from...if you are willing to have the curtain pulled back on the contemporary church and its traditional presuppositions fiercely challenged...then you will find this work to be disturbing, enlightening, and possibly life changing." (PG, page 7)
  
  

• Why Do We Put On Our Best Duds For Church?

  
  By A33VNHE9EXL4A0 on 2008-01-07
  The answer to this question and many others of more significance will be found in Pagan Christianity. The authors have painstakingly dug into the archives of history and shown the origins of the most striking features of the institutional Christianity that emerged in post-apostolic times -- things like the church building, the order of worship, the sermon, the pastor, dressing up for church, seminaries, the altar call and tithing.
  
  This book is a fascinating read just from a historical vantage point. For example, you learn that Christians were in the catacombs not because of persecution, but because they wanted to be near the dead. The church service in France is called "aller a sermon" (go to a sermon). There are a myriad of details drawn from church history that help one understand how certain traditions became entrenched in the way church was done.
  
  While there are certainly allusions to organic New Testament perspecives in the course of the book, it is not ultimately about solutions. Pagan Christianity is about documenting the Greco-Roman origins of many church practices that stand in open opposition to the New Testament revelation. "The sermon" is one tradition that arose from pagan, not biblical soil. In a book to come out later in 2008, "Reimagining Church," Frank will unfold more specific pathways to practicing community that would contribute to untangling the churchy mess we find ourselves in.
  
  Because this book challenges ecclesiastical motherhood and apple pie, it will no doubt be a hard pill for many to swallow. But it must be stressed that the major points in PC are confirmed by the historical research of scholars from all across the theological spectrum. Emil Brunner concluded in 1952:
  
  "...what was known as ecclesia in primitive Christianity -- [is] so very different from what is to-day called the Church both in Roman and Protestant camps . . . . many theologians and Church leaders are . . . so much the more painfully aware of the disparity between the Christian fellowship of the apostolic age and our own 'churches,' and cannot escape the impression that there may perhaps be something wrong with what we now call the Church . . . . It is in fact the opinion of the author that the Church itself, in so far as it identifies itself with the Ecclesia of the New Testament, rests upon a misunderstanding" (The Misunderstanding of the Church, London: Lutterworth Press, 1952, pp.5-6).
  
  Likewise, one of the foremost New Testament theologians of our times affirmed with clarity some of the central theses of of PC:
  
  "Increasing institutionalism is the clearest mark of early Catholicism -- when church becomes increasingly identified with institution, when authority becomes increasingly coterminous with office, when a basic distinction between clergy and laity becomes increasingly self-evident, when grace becomes increasingly narrowed to well-defined ritual acts. We saw above that such features were absent from first generation Christianity, though in the second generaton the picture was beginning to change" (James D.G. Dunn, Unity & Diversity in the New Testament, Westminster Press, 1977, p.351).
  
  The quest for authentic, organic ekklesia must begin by an examination of the key components and pillars of what people have come to associate with church. Pagan Christianity has done a superb job of demonstrating that most of what we assume is necessary to practice church is of very suspect origin, and comes into conflict with the simplicity of Christ found in the pages of the New Testament.
  
  I would strongly encourage anyone who hungers for the expression of Christ in his body on earth in our day to read Pagan Christianity and explore the implications for their lives. I was greatly blessed by working my way through this material.
  
  Jon Zens, Editor, Searching Together
  
  

• Don't read this book if you are happy in a church pew!

  
  By A1YB97PJ1NQERW on 2008-01-17
  Tyndale is known for publishing Christian books and has shown a daring initiative in publishing this book that questions traditional church practices. In the publisher's preface we read `Tyndale does not necessarily agree with all of the author's positions and realises that some readers may not either. At the same time, we stand united with Frank and George in our desire to see the church operate according to biblical principles and be a full expression of God's grace and truth. Furthermore, the authors raise important questions based on their careful research, study, and experiences, and we believe these questions should not be ignored. Our aim is for you to consider their conclusions and then pray seriously about your response'.
  
  This book is a revised and expanded hard cover version of the book Frank Viola published some years ago, and he has teamed up with George Barna, well known for his research and statistics of church, and who has been hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian church today". Barna's book `Revolution' is being widely read in home churches across the world.
  
  Many traditional church practices are often unquestioned and regarded at least as a `given', or are thought to have had their roots in the Bible. When many of these are examined and researched as Frank has done, they are shown to be man-made traditions that the earliest church knew nothing of and in fact many hinder the church. Some practices within the following aspects of traditional church life are addressed in this book - `The Church Building', "The Order of Worship', `The Sermon', `The Pastor', `Sunday Morning Costumes', `Ministers of Music', `Tithing and Clergy Salaries', `Baptism and the Lord's Supper', and `Christian Education'. If you are happy in a traditional church pew, then don't read this book!
  
  The actual content of the chapters is little different to the older edition, but the big advantage of this book lies in the additions Frank has made in corroboration with George Barna. There is a `Delving deeper' section at the end of each chapter, couched as a dialogue between Frank and George, tackling questions raised from the chapter just read. They have done this very well, and these could be the basis for small group discussion and sharing.
  
  Another helpful aspect of the book is that it can be read on two levels. The copious footnotes that point to sources, further points that could be considered, extra reading or explanations, provide an opportunity for deeper study. However, a straight read through the book without a serious look at the footnotes, provides lots of information and challenges. A downside of the book is that the footnotes are in very small print unlike the earlier edition where the footnotes were much easier to read.
  
  A very helpful part of this later edition is the Afterward. The first section is entitled `The Next Step' and calls for a response and for community. The challenges are listed as
  i. A new approach to worship
  ii. A new approach to spiritual growth
  iii. A new approach to managing resources
  iv. A new look at identity
  This is followed by an excellent question and answer chapter dealing with `hot potato' issues arising from the challenges to traditional church and its practice, found in the book.
  Both editions have a helpful summary of origins and dates when church traditions and practices commenced, and also a listing of key figures in church history with a brief word or two about their contribution.
  
  A major add-on to this book is a web based download with a free discussion guide and resources for groups and individuals.
  
  One of the difficulties home churches struggle with is the `pull' back to the old familiar ways people have come from in traditional church. It is one thing for folk to step out of the traditional way of church, but to get the traditional ways out of us is much harder, when many of us have been conditioned in these ways for a long time. Some harbaur secret, or overt fears, that they might be stepping `out of the ark' by moving to a home church. This book will be an enormous help for groups to `kill the sacred cows' that still `stick'. It brings ways and practices out into the cold light of day and exposes them for what they are - backed by thorough research. While we hang onto the past, we often remain `stuck' and fail to move forward in freedom towards the future Jesus is calling us to. I suggest that groups study this book and slaughter those `cows'!
  
  
• Every Person Who Attends a Church Should Read This
  By A2TIC56PO0ZTB6 on 2008-01-17
  I went to a four year conservative Bible College and believed like most people that what we have been told through our "guided tour" of church history was truth and a proper N.T. way to do things. We have been told what to believe for so long that these traditions have somehow become truth and we no longer even question what we do or believe in church.
  
  There are many people out there today who have turned to the church for help and have only been turned away or have been hurt in the long run. Have you placed your trust in the institution we call the "church" only to walk away scratching your head wondering why things turned out the way they did? I have spoken with many, many people who have terrible stories. After going through my own trial with a church and church people I finally studied the right information and my eyes were opened to a big problem. The word "church" comes from the N.T. Greek word "ekklesia". The word "church" does not actually appear in the Greek N.T. One problem I see is that the ekklesia mentioned in the N.T. is not the same as what we call "church" today. There has been a political evolution of the so-called church for over 1,700+ years. It has evolved into something that it was never meant to be. It finally dawned on me (with the help of Pagan Christianity) that one major reason what we call the church fails is that it really isn't what was originally set-up by our Lord. Today's "church" is basically made-up and ran entirely on the traditions of men that pastors like to preach about from week to week. It was never meant to be this way and it shows. We cannot expect churches to be a cure-all answer for our problems because in many ways they have become nothing more than country-clubs filled with emotion that never brings lasting results, social activities that aren't much different than activities done by any other social group, and politically motivated agendas that point a finger at what those outside of the "church" are doing instead of looking at what those in the church are doing. Instead of helping people in many cases they are discouraging people. If this was what Christ had in mind then it seems evident that it would be much more of a success than what it is. But......have hope-- there is an answer out there. Part of it can be found in Pagan Christianity.
  
  After an un-wanted marital divorce which was encouraged and even promoted by "church people" I began looking at what church-goers really do and believe. I began writing my own book about the present contradictions of church beliefs. During this process I discovered Frank Viola's original version of "Pagan Christianity". I am even more grateful that this book has been updated and co-authored by Barna and that it has been given more promotion within the Christian retail market.
  
  I think it is definite "required reading" for every person of the Christian faith. We should no longer simply believe what we have been told equals "TRUTH". Tradition never equals truth and never will. Christians like to chastise those who follow the faith of Judaism because of their willingness to hold onto the oral tradition over the written Torah but Christians are just as guilty if not more so for holding on with a secure grip to the traditions of man rather than the Word of God.
  
  Church has become nothing more than a socio-political outlet for the masses. We worry about who is wearing what to church and who has on their Sunday best. While we are worrying about our Sunday best we tend not to notice that we give God our Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday WORST!
  
  Many of our church fathers did good and wonderful things but at the same time many of them did terrible things and if you search you will find that these men did many troublesome things in the name of promoting their faith. We never seem to hear about these things when we take that above mentioned "guided tour" of church history. As it has been said many times, "The Reformation did not reform the church." Much of what we believe and practice today came from the days of Constantine who seemingly did what was politically expedient to promote his own agenda and from the days of the so-called Reformers. All of these years later we are still waiting for true reformation. History shows us that many, many of our early church fathers and Reformers were anti-semitic. I've often wondered how men who are haters of the Jewish people can properly interpret Jewish Scriptures and more importantly----how can they love a Jewish Savior? It's contradictory to me for someone to hate the Jewish people yet claim to love a Christ who was Jewish himself. Again, we have been taught that Jesus was far away from the practice of Judaism but this is not substantiated in the N.T. Even Jesus said that we should do what the Pharisees teach yet not do what they practice. Apparently Jesus agreed with the teachings of the Pharisees.....he just didn't agree with their contradictory lifestyle. That makes me think, "Why would he agree with the contradictory lifestyle of the average church goer either"?
  
  The church today is worried more about what the people outside of the church are doing instead of looking inward and focusing on what the people inside its own walls are doing. As C.S. Lewis alluded to--"People are good at expecting others to live in a manner that they are not willing to live themselves." Nowhere is this visualized more than in the modern church.
  
  There are many areas that "Pagan Christianity" does not cover about our pagan roots and this was an intentional process by the authors. I've said things that are not covered in the book and that is intentional on my part.
  
  If you are truly concerned about your faith and want to discover things that you will NEVER be told from the pulpit or your seminary classes then this is the place you need to start. Hopefully you can take this information and draw the proper conclusions. My research led me down a different path that is not necessarily the path of the authors. My faith in God and Jesus as our Messiah is much stronger now than it ever has been.
  
  I think this book should be used as a beginning point towards further research that will spark your mind and light your path towards knowing the truth of the Scriptures.
  
  
  
  
• Typically American
  By A2E2PA6UNK1E05 on 2008-07-17
  The phenomenon of restorationism (a church body asserting its intentions to recreate the New Testament Church) is not a new one to American Evangelicalism. Generally initiated by those who have little or no understanding of the culture, history, and religious practices of those they wish to emulate, the temptation of a do-it-yourself ecclesiology (with the New Testament as their alleged guide) is irresistible for those feeling alienated by existing church practices.
  
  The telltale signature of restorationist movements is to proclaim existing ecclesial structures to be hopelessly out of step with true Christianity. After all, if the Church needs to be restored, then one would assume something had gone terribly wrong else the entire project of restoration would be a colossal waste of time. Unlike reform movements, whose primary motivation is to pressure the existing Church to renew itself from within, the strategy for restorationists is to wipe the slate clean and imagine the Church could be restarted anew. The inevitable result is the affirmation of their own personal beliefs and practices covered by the authority of eisegetic interpretations of Scriptural passages devoid of any context apart from their own.
  
  The latest installment of this characteristically American enterprise is now enshrined in Frank Viola and George Barna's Pagan Christianity?. Seeking to justify their own peculiarly postmodern American manifestation of what they believe to be "New Testament Christianity", they combine their own prejudices with such a staggering display of historical ignorance, that any informed reader is left shaking their heads at their garbled understanding of the Church's past. In their attacks on anything that smells of structure or authority, one can detect a sense of glee as they engage in their ill-informed attempts at iconoclasm.
  
  Of course, the church that "emerges" from their deconstruction is remarkably like the sort of thing that would be hatched in the mind of a postmodern American with a disdain for hierarchy, tradition, and anything that might have been considered to be of enduring value prior to their own personal conversion. Their "analysis" is a mishmash of outdated secondary sources, out-of-context quotations, unsupported hypotheses, and personal prejudices amalgamated into an "any stick will do" style attack on historical Christianity. Even worse, on those occasions where legitimate experts on the field are cited (i.e., Dom Gregory Dix, Paul F. Bradshaw, Alexander Schmeman) their views are taken so out of context as to have them seemingly ally with the authors when in fact their views are quite the opposite.
  
  Like other revisionists on both the left and right of the ecclesial spectrum, there is an overt removal of the New Testament Church from both the context of the Jewish practice that preceded it and the ecclesial practice that followed it. Once the Church is decontextualized, the inferred meanings of the texts of the New Testament are removed and new meanings assigned. In this sense, restorationists are best seen as sharing the deconstructionist methodology common to many postmodern revisionist thinkers.
  
  Viola and Barna begin their argument with an assault on church buildings. Their concern is not any particular problem with architectural style or the lavishness of furnishings but over the very idea of buildings being used for the specialized purpose of Christian gatherings. While the reason given for this aversion to architectural utility is passages in the New Testament that state the early Christians met in each others homes, the hidden reason is likely that one of the authors has been involved for two decades in the "house church" movement and seems to have made an idol out of a situation that grew out of necessity, was not intended as representative of a command, and was not in fact even followed strictly at the time.
  
  The fact is that the Book of Acts clearly state that the early Christians continued to worship in the Temple and the synagogues and largely carried on the established practices of Judaism. It is only where it came to the specifically Christian cultic practices among that they retreated to their homes - the only place available for them to freely express their faith in Christ - but there is no indication that it was ever intended as normative.
  
  They go on in rapid fire succession to rattle off a series of complaints against church buildings with allegations of their history that have little or no historical support. Many things they claim were adopted from paganism were also present in the Biblical faith of the Jews that God commanded. It never occurs to the authors the same church they accuse of importing paganism is the one that was laying down its lives in martyrdom for its refusal to compromise with paganism.
  
  Their claim that there were no special places of worship prior to Constantine also does not stand up to careful scrutiny. Yes, they often met in houses, but these "houses" were often the villas of wealthy members of the Church. It was common for expensive homes in the Roman era to have special rooms set aside for cultic purposes and these served as places of worship for the local Christian community. There were also theological schools in places like Alexandria and Antioch that developed (a point the authors acknowledge) and these likely also had places of worship associated with them. There have been numerous archaeological finds that have discovered pre-Constantinian Christian worship spaces that were obviously set apart for that purpose. The reason for having few specifically constructed church buildings was simply that Christianity was for much of the first few centuries a persecuted religion In times of severe persecution, the Christians often had to meet in total secrecy and places like the Catacombs in Rome and other secluded spots were employed. Once the persecution ended, such restrictions were abandoned. The authors make much of the grandeur of the basilicas built by Constantine, but fail to mention such notable places were pilgrimage sites and hardly the norm. In most of the Roman Empire, local churches would continue to be rather humble affairs.
  
  The authors' biases are again on display as they go as far in their tirades as to claim Jesus had a negative view of the Temple. Forgetting that the construction of both Jewish temples were ordained by God, they completely distort the obvious meaning of the passage - a negative view of the Jewish authorities - and transfer the negative view to the Temple itself. Jesus referred to the Temple as His Father's House - it contained the very presence of God in the Holy of Holies - and, far from downplaying its significance, chased out the moneychangers for defiling it. The passages they do cite give Jesus' accusations against the Jewish leaders. His statements on the destruction of the Temple was not because the Temple was an evil but because they had rejected the very presence of God who stood before them.
  
  The authors continually make the point that Jesus overthrew the existing Jewish structure and replaced it with a non-hierarchal, non-liturgical ekklesia. But the picture painted in the New Testament is entirely different. In Acts, it states the early Christians kept to the teachings of the Apostles, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. In the context of the Judaism the early Christians practiced, there is definitely a hierarchy and liturgy implied in these words.
  
  The "teaching of the Apostles" demonstrates that there were those in authority to teach the truths of the faith and authority implies hierarchy. This is bone out as the Apostles are sought out for all major decisions. When controversy erupted over Paul's mission to the Gentiles, the disagreement was brought before the Apostles and elders at Jerusalem who decided the issue in council. In his epistles, Paul makes a point that he too is an apostle and shares the same authority. Paul instructs Timothy to appoint elders in the churches; throughout the New Testament, the Apostles ordain others' ministries by the laying on of hands.
  
  All of this should not be surprising - the early Christians did not live in an egalitarian society. Even before the Church, there is an implied hierarchy in the Gospels - Peter, James, and John form an inner circle among the twelve and every list of the twelve has Peter first and Judas last. Most importantly, there is a hierarchy within the triune God as the three persons relate to each other in hierarchal fashion. Thus, it is natural that Christ's body is also hierarchal and reflects an order.
  
  The passages cited for their position have nothing to do with the structure of the Church. For example, they cite the worldly desires of some of the twelve who attempt political maneuvers and are rebuked - but the rebuke states nothing about the existence of hierarchy but only their worldly desires. It is quite clear that the authors have long ago came to their conclusions and now are "proof-texting" their answers with passages that have no real bearing on the subject.
  
  The liturgical dimension of the early Christians can be seen in the phrases "the prayers" and "the breaking of bread". The prayers refer to the normal liturgical prayers of observant Jews but now given a Christian emphasis. These would develop over time into the Christian prayers of the divine office. The breaking of bread refers to the communion meal and was thought to reveal Christ to the believers (see the allusions to this in the story of the Road to Emmaus in Acts). The breaking of bread at a meal had long been a liturgical act at Jewish meals similar to our own praying grace. The Holy Communion was ordained by Christ as part of a liturgical meal celebrated by a people for whom the consumption of food followed liturgical rules. Considering that all Christian were at that point observant Jews (else the Council of Acts 15 would have been unnecessary), the thought they were somehow non-hierarchal or non-liturgical is merely an anachronistic application of postmodern American ideals on first century Near Eastern people.
  
  Turning to the evolution of modern Protestant worship, Viola and Barna continue their pattern of misguided historical analysis. First, they infer the source of the Protestant worship was the medieval mass promulgated by Gregory the Great. Here they ignore that the Gregorian Mass was an amalgamation of elements from existing Roman and Franco-Germanic liturgies and these followed the basic pattern of liturgy outlined by earlier writers such as Hippolytus and Justin Martyr and going back to the Didache at the turn of the first century. The Didache itself follows a pattern taking elements of Jewish practice that date back to the Second Temple period. This is further verified by the practices within the Byzantine Churches whose liturgy developed separately but still maintained the early structure indicated by the early Christians. Even the Church of the East, stretching from Persia to China, followed a similar pattern in its own unique liturgy despite being essentially cut off from contact with the Roman Church.
  
  The liturgical developments within Protestantism were, not surprisingly, a mixed bag - some good (the reintroduction of preaching to a key role) and some bad (the anti-sacramental nature of much of its worship) just as the developments in the medieval West had also been much of a mixed bag. Unfortunately, many of the liturgical reforms introduced by American Protestantism is far more reflective of American culture than the practice of the early Christians. Viola and Barna's project, like other restorationist attempts, always end up telling us far more about the participants than the early Church.
  
  Yet it is not just the most formal elements of Christian worship that the authors wish to abandon - even so basic and obvious a part of the service as the sermon is found wanting. Here the authors blame it on rhetoricians and philosophers - an assertion so absurd that it would be funny were it not the fact that the naive will take this drivel seriously. Yes, philosophers and rhetoricians often spoke at length about topics - but so did rabbis and those in authority in any endeavor. The Apostles would preach in the synagogues or in public squares where they could communicate the Good News. They also would speak at length in specifically Christian gatherings where they could teach the truths of the faith to the Church. The authors credit Augustine and Chrysostom with making pulpit oratory part of the faith - and they certainly were wonderful preachers - but fail to mention the many great sermons (available in any collection of the ante-Nicene Church Fathers) of those who preceded them. They fail to accept that God can make use of the gifts He has bestowed that are offered to His service in love. Yes, the original twelve were largely a rather unsavory group but God had no problem making use of the obvious gifts of Paul and Luke who were clearly of a far different social strata.
  
  As low as their opinions are of sermons, the authors think even worse of those who give them - particularly the authority attached to them. They ridiculously claim that there were no "official offices" with slots to fill, yet among the first things they did was choose a successor to replace the position of Judas in the twelve and even gave criteria for their nomination. The emergence of the office of bishop was, contrary to their claims, quite natural. As local church's reached points of self-sufficiency, they no longer needed to rely upon the evangelists or the church that had sponsored them. We see first the Church in Jerusalem having such leadership under James the Just and then both Antioch and Smyrna following under Ignatius and Polycarp. As more churches became established, the practice of episcopal leadership spread.
  
  As mentioned earlier, the early Church had all their leadership ordained by the Apostles. We see this most clearly in Acts and in the letters of Paul. The imposition of hands was a long established practice within most cultures of the time in conferring leadership and this certainly was not lost on the early Christians. Unfortunately, this does not tickle the ears of today's trendy egalitarians and they need go to great lengths to try to make square pegs fit in round holes.
  
  After some rather immature tirades against clerical garb and music ministries, the authors then turn their attention to the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Their obvious biases show by claiming the early Church practiced believers' baptism. There is in fact no evidence of this - baptism was a long standing ritual practice in Judaism (John the Baptist did not invent it) and there were no such restrictions. There are passages in the New Testament where converts' entire families were baptized (presumably including small children) and Paul makes a connection between baptism and circumcision. The sacrament was the entry into the New Covenant with Christ and was open to believers and their children.
  
  Since the early Church was growing primarily through conversion, it is natural that most early baptisms would be of adults. But you simply never hear of the children of early Christians baptized after some peculiarly American version of "being saved." They all claim to be Christians from their childhood. The only period where there was hesitation was due to some believing wrongly that there were great obstacles to salvation if they fell from the faith after being baptized and hence delayed it until close to death but this practice would be condemned.
  
  The Lord's Supper/Communion/Eucharist was an outgrowth of Jesus' liturgical act on the night of His betrayal. The authors make much of the separation of the bread and cup from a full meal as menttioned in I Corinthians but fail to mention that Paul condemns them for their practices and replies with instructions that describe only the bread and cup. They consider the possibility that the separation was done to end abuses but then conclude it was incipient paganism. Their evidence for this: nothing. They just assume a twisted reading of the facts that concludes Christians who were willingly dying for Christ couldn't wait to be pagans. It is almost shocking to read the sheer arrogance of these two pseudohistorians who obviously not encountered the writings of the patristic Church firsthand but rely upon the inaccuracies of anti-Christian writers like Will Durant.
  
  The reasons for later developments are quite clear if one uses the original sources and a little common sense. First of all, only the bread and cup are essential. Nothing else is mentioned in any account of the Last Supper. Then there is the implied connection with between the bread and cup and the Passover lamb. They also came to realize the connection in Hebrews as the central ritual of the priestly order of Melchizadek (a type of Christ who offered up a meal of bread and wine). The Church saw this was no mere dinner but that their sacrifice of bread and wine was being united to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and that he was "revealed in the breaking of bread".
  
  Of course all of this formal understanding and deep thinking about God's Holy Word is a bad idea and the authors proceed to list their complaints against every center of theological training in Church history from the great theological schools in Alexandria and Antioch to the monasteries to the medieval universities to their Protestant counterparts to the seminaries to the little Bible College down the road. Apparently, the Church would have been better off without them even though they preserved the Scriptures and kept alive the remains of Christian culture during times of great social upheaval.
  
  Oddly enough, after giving us chapter upon chapter of some of the most horrid proof-texting ever put to print, the authors then complain about proof-texting! They also at the end introduce the idea that house churches are not always a good idea and some instruction is needed to lead them. But wait - doesn't such assistance imply something like the sort of stuff given in seminaries and doesn't the idea that some people are needed to train others institute a de facto hierarchy? Oh, and in case you are wondering where all this wonderful training is brought down to a practical level and who will be the trainers - you can get it in one of the authors' other books. One immediately is reminded of what Orwell wrote in Animal Farm: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
  
  It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the house church movement. Now that so much of the patristic Church is assigned to pagan beliefs, I suspect that the formulations of faith hashed out beginning at Nicea will be called into question. One can expect to see the house churches wrestling with the same heresies the patristic Church faced as new leaders decide the early Church actually believed something else entirely. The refashioning of old heresies in new wineskins is yet another characteristic of restorationist movements.
  
  The sort of nonsense we see in Pagan Christianity is nothing new. Hosts of restorationist movements in the past have mounted similar endeavors - each from their own uninformed perspective. While they all had their unique complaints, all had in common the elevation of American ideals to the level of divine command. For them as well as for Viola and Barna, even this error pales in comparison to their belief that their efforts are unique, revolutionary and important. How typically American!
  
  
• Reviving a dead old argument
  By A1MOQWCGVZ6YA2 on 2008-02-06
  Let's cut to the chase: Viola and Barna exploit a flimsy argument that had its heyday after the Protestant Reformation. What do we do with practices not mentioned in the Bible? One side argues that anything not explicitly mentioned in Scripture - so long as it does not violate biblical principles generally - is acceptable among Christians. The other side (Barna and Viola) argue, "If it's not explicitly commanded in Scripture, you shouldn't do it." The hot button issue in England after the Reformation was the wearing of vestments. Can clergy where vestments? Some said yes, some said no.
  
  I'm not on Barna's side. I respect the noblest motivation to reach for Scripture alone, but it ultimately leads to a self-deceptive and flat Christian faith. All Christians, including Barna and Viola, integrate practices into their faith not commanded in Scripture. PowerPoint? Not in the Bible. Translating the Bible into English? Not commanded by the Bible. Guitars and drums? Not in the Bible.
  
  Barna and Viola's core argument refuses to take historical and cultural development seriously. Their so-called renewal movement embodies the worst of modern American individualism.
  
  
• Time for a courageous reexamination
  By A3N4T8LHCHKTWC on 2008-01-13
  As George Barna has well documented, the church landscape of America is changing rapidly. A key element of this change is a spreading reexamination of the very nature and practice of church. The extent of this reexamination is demonstrated by the fact that a major publisher like Tyndale would today publish a book like "Pagan Christianity". Even five years ago this would have been unheard of!
  
  Consider these words in the Publisher's Preface: "...the authors raise important questions based on their careful research, study, and experiences, and we believe these questions should not be ignored. Our aim is for you to consider their conclusions and then pray seriously about your response."
  
  Amazing!
  
  This fits with my personal journey. As a pastor in evangelical churches for 25 years, I held strongly to the idea that "the Bible is our authoritative guide for faith and practice". I preached that, as followers of Jesus, we should courageously examine our lives in light of Scripture and, with God's help, be ready to make changes. I believe most evangelical pastors seek to live and minister from this same core foundational concept.
  
  However, in recent years, a growing number of us have been recognizing a major blind spot in the living out of our commitment to a Biblical lifestyle. That blind spot is ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church). I believe "Pagan Christianity" will play a vital role in shaping the growing conversation on this subject over the next year. Well researched and well written, the book is accessible to both church leaders and those formerly known as "the laity".
  
  Seems to me it's time for every church, whether traditional or non-traditional, to promote an open minded and respectful discussion and courageous reexamination about what our "authoritative guide" has to say about this critical topic. "Pagan Christianity" will provide a stimulating starting point for that conversation.
  
  
  
• Life Changing
  By A3GEVNLMR6KEH4 on 2008-04-08
  This book literally changed my life. I was heavily involved in the cell church movement, but I kept seeing that the "cell group" meeting was the basic Christian community, and the "large celebration gathering" was a supplement to that where the cells gathered to worship and receive teaching. I was talking to the leaders of my church about placing more emphasis on the small meetings and less on the larger gathering. It never happened. The smaller meeting remained as a supplement to the "main thing" which was the Sunday morning gathering for corporate praise and a 40 minute sermon.
  
  When I read Pagan Christianity everything began to make sense. I saw that the current format of our Sunday gatherings in western Christianity was never the intention of the Lord Himself or of the early apostles. I began to see how the many-membered Body of Christ could function together solely under the headship of the Lord Jesus and without the confusion of the clergy-laity distinction. In fact I learned that the office of the modern Pastor as understood and practiced in our modern Protestant churches has no Biblical basis at all. This explained much of the burn-out and depression that I was seeing in church leaders. By releasing all believers to function in their ministries and giftings we reduce the amount of stress on leaders and allow them to function the way Jesus really designed them to function: as equippers and coaches.
  
  Shortly after reading this book I left the institutional church that I was a part of and found an organic church. I have never looked back. The community that I am experiencing now in organic church both exciting and challenging, exhilirating and difficult at the same time. I would not trade it in for anything in the church world!
  
  Thanks Frank for writing this ground breaking book!
  
  
• Pulling Back The Covers
  By A3LIVAI6808G42 on 2008-01-06
  If you have never read any of Frank's work the first thing you will need to do is do an honest gut check to make sure you are open to the slaying of your sacred cows. As usual, his work is well researched and hard hitting. I have no doubt a lot of leaders will feel compelled to discredit this work out of self-preservation if nothing else. Pagan Christianity calls a lot of stuff out into the street...just about everything to do with current church culture in fact. Viola and Barna give language to a lot of what I suppose many leaders and others have felt forbidden to question...though deep in their hearts they have longed someone to bring to the surface. Read it and let it read you.
  
  
• A Christian Landmark
  By A2EKKSFUCR3OKB on 2008-01-23
  Frank Viola and George Barna have done the church a great service by delving into history to discover our roots. Reading this thoroughly researched and footnoted work is like having a vast library at our fingertips. If you are open to change and personal transformation, then prepare to be inspired.
  
  I have visited one of the organic churches Frank started, and I can tell you from experience that what he describes and continues to labor for is the real deal. I have seen with my own eyes why Frank and George are so passionate. Once you have joined in the joyful banquet of dynamic, participatory, and Spirit-orchestrated church life, you will never want to turn back to the dry days of man-controlled, pride-centered, guilt-driven, gift-stifling, and Spirit-less religion again.
  
  Church life at its best is not easy to find in this day and age, but it is well worth the effort to get there. It is all at once peaceful, loving, creative, spontaneous, inspiring, liberating, and graceful. God bless you both, Frank and George, for helping us find our way home. And God bless you, Tyndale publishers, for having the courage and vision to bring us this remarkable work.
  
  
• Dangerous Supposed Speaking for God
  By A1OX82JPAQLL60 on 2008-04-17
  This is extremely dangerous writing. These two authors critique pastors for saying that what they do in worship is from God's Word and then cannot prove it. Worse than that, these authors state that what Christianity has been doing concerning worship since the third century at the least is from pagan sources and thus ungodly because it is unbiblical.
  
  First off, anyone who has spent time in the Bible knows that in the NT there is given much freedom in worship, with no prescriptive section which states clearly the order of worship, etc. Therefore, many have concluded with questions like, where does it say we should have music and musical instruments? Vestments, paraments, candles, pulpits, etc. We can or we can't have such, since Scripture doesn't prescribe them nor forbid them.
  
  What is dangerous about this work is that it states clearly that it is restoring the Christian church back to its first century moorings, which it then seeks to revolve almost totally, if the reader follows their reasoning, almost completely on 1 Corinthians 14:26, that this be not centered around one person, but all participate with Biblical teaching, hymn leading, etc. In this same Scriptural text they exhibit poor exegetical skills by concluding that everyone ministers when assembling together (ecclesia) however this text denies women to speak in these asemblies. This is but one example of inaccurate Biblical exegesis (which they exhibit none of in this work, other than reference Viola's other writings) but do the proof-texting in the footnotes which they seriously deride their opponents of.
  
  To suggest their is no office of the public ministry is false. Paul appointed pastors in the places that he started them, rather than some organic, house church planting. The reason which this work doesn't identify at all is that historically they met in houses because of persecution until Constantine allowed them as legal religion. To suggest therefore, that because first century were in houses, so should be in the 21st century is false historical step.
  
  Truly a falsity to anyone who wants to clearly check it out is when they contend that a consensus of scholars on these subjects: liturgy, NT scholarship, church history agree with their opinions just isn't there. Check out a true liturgical, NT Christian who writes with accuracy: "Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service" by Arthur A. Just Jr.
  
  Also, their comments on the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are biblically and historically inaccurate as well. To just quote some references and then say we don't have time to exegete these to prove our rash statements condemning the pagan influence of Sacramental views that don't match up with ours is most weak. To spend more time on church buildings than the precious Sacraments which are God's means of delivering grace is a sham.
  
  Suspect here is Barna's participation since he has written in other places his frustration that in the last three decades Church Growth with all its changes and dumbing down the faith and replacing Scripture driven faith practice with marketing and business management techniques has failed to grow Christ's kingdom and it will take true pastoral leadership to change things, smacks here then of no need for pastors, but return to organic, face-to-face, everyone a minister church again is not following God's plan, but inserting into Scripture what is not there. Frustrated that their techniques in the past have not brought the promised results is shown in this new stream again to be highly suspect and dangerous as the previous remedies were shown.
  
  Further, at the very end of the work to suggest that God still works through these pagan borrowing institutional churches is hypocritical to their whole thesis. Although they try to spin answers away from it, where in each small gathering is their to be that under-shepherd appointed to speak for God who is to do the call of such as Titus 1:9; Hebrews 13:17; 2 Tim.4:1-5?
  
  Where also is any conviction about seeing that Jesus and Him crucified carries the weight of any ecclessia?
  
  Agreement with such contemporary unbiblical practices as commitment prayer, etc. tempted a two-star rating, but this is such a poor excuse for proper NT exegesis and church history presentation that one star is sufficient if not excessive.
  
  
  
  
• Hold Your Fire!!!
  By A2V7UVKOFG57IW on 2008-02-25
  "Hold your Fire!!!"
  
  No group of people is more trigger happy than those enlisted in the army of God. Some reviews of this book are ongoing evidence of this fact. Yet, who are they shooting at and why? With over 500,000 pastors serving in the established church in the U.S. alone (p.138), you can imagine the reaction when two authors suggest that many of the sacred weapons this group of pastoral commanders has come to cherish (and pass along each week to their foot soldiers) emanate from the pagan, secular, Greco-Roman world --- well, you just may have a holy uprising on your hands.
  
  Viola is an avowed home-church expert, speaker,church planter and author. Barna has established himself as the foremost social scientist and scholar regarding the church, Christians and the state of Christianity in the U.S. When these two team up, one should probably move beyond the title and snuggle into a foxhole with this magnum opus work to see what they're saying from their outpost on the front lines of the faith wars.
  
  When Tyndale starts a book with a "Publisher's Preface" that includes, "Perhaps you wonder why a publisher of Christian books would release a book that questions so many common church practices...Our aim is for you to consider their conclusions and then pray seriously about your response." Wow! Well, that's exactly what I did. I was blessed by this work as it continues to resonate through my being.
  
  This book is filled with topics that every soldier wonders about: "Why do we do what we today? Where did these practices, people, places, power and ammunition come from? What are the practical implications for my life, and those of my comrades, based upon the battles we are confronted with today? As time has elapsed since the first army was formed, have we actually moved further away from the fundamental truths and practices that our founding Father intended for us to deploy?
  
  With hearts deeply sensitive to the earliest recorded wishes of Jesus in the New Testament, the authors methodically ask these sorts of questions as it relates to the practice of the Christian faith in the 21st century.
  
  There are more footnotes evidencing the painstaking, scholarly approach and treatment of each and every subject raised in this book than there are individual nylon strands in a parachute.
  
  Throughout this book, the authors reverent hearts and compassion for the restoration of the lordship of Christ as the head of the Church is acutely apparent, as stated near the end of the volume (p.250): "We have written this book for one reason: to make room for the absolute centrality, supremacy, and headship of Christ in His church."
  
  The essence of the book is captured in the following question: "Who's really in charge of this outfit anyway?" Is it possible that this platoon of disciples (Christians per se) has been led astray from the way Jesus would have us be his church? That's not heresy! It certainly isn't treason. It's evidence of the courage of two men who love Christ and dedicated their lives to becoming more like Him and encouraging others to do the same.
  
  "Put your weapon down!" Don't shoot a fellow soldier just because he/she is asking specific questions about the way things are today, illuminating their historical origins, there adoption and present day application --- backed up by a Scriptural basis for their conclusions. Don't throw somebody in the brig when their is absolutely no question about their undeniable loyalty to God's army, and our Leader, Jesus Christ. As stated by Viola and Barna "It is because of our love for the church and our desire to see God's people set free that we have written this book."
  
  "At ease soldier!" It's time to pick up this book and do what the history of our unit is famous for --- it's time for additional training. It's time we adapt to the fact that we have much to learn. Hey, it takes courage to be a soldier in God's army --- particularly when you have a vested interest in the "way things" are yet your Leader desperately desires that you "move out!"
  
  "Moving out" requires unburdening - leaving behind some of the weapons, tactics, myths and terrain we have become comfortable with and heavily vested in. Soldiering necessarily involves learning new ways of being a soldier in God's army. Are some of the implications of what these two authors suggesting unnerving? Absolutely! "Buck up soldier!"
  
  Viola and Barna are distinctly invested in the mission of yearning that the Church become all it can be. Their respective lives speak for this fact. I urge you to read what they have labored to produce for that simple reason. When you're done, you will be faced with what any soldier is faced with after training: "Will you act upon what you have read, or will you simply be informed by it." (p. 253).
  
  Honestly, I'm still processing my active response.
  
  Restrain your urge to make Viola and Barna fatalities of "friendly fire" until you've done what they've asked: Read the book and pray about your response --- intensely. That's courage in action --- embracing the need to learn new ways of being a Christian and His Church today.
  
  It took guts to write this book and it takes guts to read it. "Transformation" is sometimes an uncomfortable reality. It requires confronting the dimensions of truth and reality that only others can share with us, that we cannot derive for ourselves --- particularly if we have a vested interest in the status quo that blinds us to the necessity for change. Let's make sure these two courageous soldiers of Christ are addressed with the courtesy and respect they deserve. Somebody simply must ask the tough questions and illuminate the implications for the necessity to change. It's called "duty."
  
  For Tyndale to publish this superb work and say, "Our aim is for you to consider their conclusions and then pray seriously about your response." Well, that's valor.
  
  Finally, my Bible is filled with stories of those who spoke God's truth about the way things are, how we got here, and the way ahead. More often than not, they were mocked and ridiculed. Yet, God ordained truth endures. This book is prophetic. I pray your consumption of it will be deliberate and your reaction to it will be constructive. That would be honorable.
  
  Honor-Duty-Valor --- That certainly sounds like an order from Jesus Christ.
  
  
• How to Make 2+2 Look Like 22 or A Lesson in Bad Ecclesiology and Even Worse Historiography
  By A698GLS89B78N on 2008-03-15
  Frank Viola, the current guru for the "House Church Movement" has teamed up with pollster George Barna and produced really one of the worst works dealing with Biblical ecclesiology to come along in many years. Barna, in past works (esp "Revolution") has been beating the drum that based on his research the church, which the Bible calls "the pillar and ground of the truth" really isn't, and if it doesn't radically change it would go out of business by the next generation.
  
  Since that tact of argumentation received little more than a "yawn" from the evangelical world, he's moved to a new argument; that is, that most, if not everything that is done in the worship service of virtually every conservative evangelical church in the world, has it's roots in "paganism" and pagan practices (and hence should be abandoned). These practices date back to the merging of the Roman Empire and Christianity under the auspices of Constantine the Great. While it is undeniable that many "traditions" that attached themselves to Christianity (particularly the Christmas and Easter ones) had parallels in paganism; there is a significant leap in logic from "parallel" to having roots.
  
  This book is poorly researched, presents poor interpretations of both Scripture and history. The treatment of both is superficial and simplistic. The book really reads like the premise for "The DaVinci Code" and gives the impression that Viola and Barna thought Dan Brown was a writer of non-fiction and was an excellent researcher.
  
  "Pagan Christianity" presents a sub-biblical view of the Church and Ecclesiology in general and will serve only to confuse those who never met a conspiracy they didn't like.
  
  
  
• Superb and Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By AZGGOJKL430R4 on 2008-04-10
  These authors told the truth and nothing but the truth. I would recommend this book to anyone!!
  
  
• A refreshingly well-researched and well-written look at something uncommonly challenged
  By A3DG4A66PER5N on 2008-01-15
  I read Frank's earlier edition of Pagan Christianity and found that the research and writing were right on target for handling such "sensitive" material. The new edition is an enhancement to what was already an eye-opening account. Church practices, in their modern day form, are very rarely questioned on such a fundamental level. I often hear a call for "church reform" or "revival" to the church, but I had never before heard this kind of bold call for change; change from the very roots of the traditions of men that have its leaders calling for "reform" in the first place. This edition features new footnotes and expanded commentary that leaves very few questions with the reader. If people are open and willing to see the true purpose of the Church from Christ's perspective, this book will be a welcomed relief from all they have been taught to believe the church is.
  
  
• "What do you seek"?
  By A2KAXFXZ1JZB3N on 2008-01-24
  Pagan Christianity now revised and improved! I have found this revision an even better read than before and what I said in my review of the first edition I now repeat with even greater conviction.
  
  I believe "Pagan Christianity" may very well become known as the single most liberating piece of Christian work penned in the last 1700 years. It will hopefully become known as the single most influential piece of Christian literature in this new century. Without doubt it will be loved by many as it will liberate multitudes and for that same reason it is sure to be hated and feared by others.
  
  Frank Viola now together with George Barna have pulled back the covers to reveal the pagan origins of many if not all of the practices of this thing we call Christendom. In a very scholarly yet easy to read fashion they have traced the origins of the traditions, practices and institutions of all that which make up what we call Christianity today and found them painfully wanting. In contrast they illustrate the simplicity and almost tribal nature of the 1st century church the bride of Christ as she met with her groom in irresistible freedom, life and love.
  
  I have long suspected that many if not all new Christians early in the adventure of their new life in Christ have encountered deep and unsettling doubts about this institution we call church. I believe these haunting doubts and unanswered longing also lurk in the spirits of many Christians who have lived long in the Lord. These things should not go unheeded! What the Lord once asked John and Andrew He is now asking you:
  
  "What do you seek"?
  
  
  
• AN ECCLESIASTICAL BOMB-SHELL!
  By A3RDZGZAWL8J8A on 2008-02-03
  There were two events in the Middle Ages that sparked major reform in the church. The first was the nailing of Martin Luther's Ninety-five Thesis (or topics for debate) on the door of Castle Church at Wittenberg in 1517. The second was the publishing of the New Testament in English by William Tyndale in 1525 (for which he was executed as a heretic). In my opinion, "Pagan Christianity" is a "church-quake" of equal magnitude.
  
  The fact that a major publisher like Tyndale would publish this book is astonishing. Most of Frank's earlier works have been published "in the underground" through his own publishing house, "Present Testimony Ministry." As such, he has had a wide following in the house-church movement, but little known outside. That's about to change. In the preface to "Pagan Christianity," Tyndale offers their explanation on why they would publish such a controversial book stating it was out of their "desire to see the church operate according to biblical principles and be a full expression of God's grace and truth." So the church doesn't operate according to biblical principles, and is not a full expression of God's grace and truth?" Shocking! But that's the main point of "Pagan Christianity" and its plea to return to the beginning. The fact that Tyndale supports this endeavor, and is willing to put their reputation on the line, seems to add potent legitimacy to the most controversial book written since Luther and Tyndale raised such a ruckus 600 years ago.
  
  And while Luther paid lip-service extolling the priesthood of all believers, he did very little "practically" to blur the distinctions between the clerical class and the laity. The same church hierarchy that Luther railed against simply changed its suit. The Catholic priest who officiated over all things spiritual morphed into the Protestant pastor*, who did the same. Ouch!
  
  Consider these words from Paul regarding God's purposes for the Church:
  
  And this is the purpose: that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made public to the angelic rulers and authorities in the heavenly sphere. Eph 3:8-10 (Amp)
  
  Please read those words, carefully, again. Perhaps a third time. Now look at the average "church service". As "Pagan Christianity" points out, the order of the protestant ritual is the same, week after week and year after year. The denomination doesn't matter. High church or low church, all follow the same predictable pattern. Here's what Luther gave us 600 years ago, and what we are still following today:
  
  Singing
  Prayer
  Sermon
  Admonition to the people
  Lord's Supper
  Singing
  Post-Communion prayer
  Benediction
  
  "Innumerable aspects?" "Infinite variety?" "Many-sided?" This is not the Chuch of Jesus Christ as described in the heart of God. This is "McChurch." The order of service is the same, and tastes the same, always, no matter where it's served up (and we Protestants think we have something over our Catholic brethren and their "rituals"). "Anointed" preaching? Perhaps. "Charismatic" preacher? Probably. But if it's all coming out of a single funnel, this is not classic Christianity. As Paul writes: "But if the whole were all a single organ (mouth), where would the body be?" I Cor. 12:19. If Paul was asking that question then, imagine what he would be asking now. If His body can't be found, could it be because His headship over His Church has been replaced by human agencies and traditions?
  
  An earlier writer, Elton Trueblood, wrote "prophetically" of the church's return to the primal genesis of the early church. He stated that Luther's reformation has some unfinished business. And just as Tyndale gave the scriptures to the common person, a second reformation will be ignited when the church is given back to the people with the abolition of the laity:
  
  "Our opportunity for a big step lies in opening the ministry to the ordinary Christian in much the same manner that our ancestors opened Bible reading to the ordinary Christian. To do this means...the inauguration of a new Reformation while in another it means the logical completion of the earlier Reformation in which the implications of the position taken were neither fully understood nor loyally followed.
  
  "The more we study the early Church the more we realize that it was a society of ministers. About the only similarity between the Church at Corinth and a contemporary congregation...is that both are marked, to a great degree by the presence of sinners. After that the similarity ends, for we think it is normal for one man to do all the preaching, while the others are audience, whereas in Corinth, many did the preaching, "When you come together," reported their most famous visitor, "EACH ONE a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation" (I Cor. 14:26). The ministry of original Christianity was one of its most revolutionary aspects. In contrast to all previous models, the new fellowship emerged as a dynamic force without priest or rabbi or medicine man."
  
  One of the reviewers, if I understand him correctly, implies that the church is "progressive" in nature and questions whether or not we need, or should, return to the New Testament pattern. I suppose by "progressive" he infers that it has "evolved" into its current structure of three songs and a sermon with a "professional" class of Christians performing and an "audience" class of spectators. First of all, we need to be asking ourselves if what we are doing now is an improvement over what happened then. If we are to judge by the fruit of our endeavors with that of theirs, we are forced to concede that we have fallen far from something of sublime power and genius.
  
  Secondly, this idea of the Church progressing into something "new and improved" can't be found in scripture. Contrarily, Paul states prophetically that soon after his departure, ravenous wolves would come in and destroy the flock. Acts 20:29 "Pagan Christianity" really is the historical account of this destruction and the church's departure from the Apostolic blueprint. We can scarcely take any credit for remembering what they taught us and adhering to the traditions they passed on to us. I Cor. 1:11.
  
  Thirdly, the letters to the churches reveal a constant theme regarding church meetings, which is the MUTUAL CONTRIBUTION of ALL members under the HEADSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST. No priestly or pastoral caste system can be found or magically extracted from the New Testament accounts. No sermons, no pews, no passive priesthood:
  
  God has arranged the LIMBS and ORGANS in the body, EACH PARTICULAR ONE just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation. But if the whole were all a single organ, where would the body be? I Cor. 12:17-19.
  
  And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church, a HEADSHIP EXERCISED THROUGHOUT(each member), which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills ALL IN ALL--for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete and Who fills EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF. Eph 1:22-23
  
  In Him EACH SEPARATE PIECE of building, properly fitting into its neighbor GROWS TOGETHER into a temple, consecrated to the Lord. YOU ARE ALL part of this building in which God Himself lives by His Spirit. Eph. 2:22
  
  YOU ALL belong to one body, of which there is one Spirit, just as YOU ALL experienced one calling to one hope. There is one...Father of us all, who is the One OVER ALL, the One working THROUGH ALL, and the One living IN ALL. Eph. 4:4
  
  His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of (all) the saints, that THEY should do the work of ministering toward building up of Christ's body...Eph. 4:12
  
  For because of Him, the WHOLE BODY, the Church in ALL ITS VARIOUS PARTS closely jointed and firmly knit together...when EACH PART is working properly in all its functions, grow to full maturity, building itself up in love. Eph 4:16.
  
  Let the word spoken by Christ have its home in your hearts...as you TEACH AND ADMONISH AND TRAIN ONE ANOTHER in all insight and intelligence and wisdom in spiritual things. Col. 3:16
  
  But to EACH ONE is given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit...for the good and profit OF ALL. I Cor.12:7
  
  Now you collectively are Christ's body and individually you are members of it, EACH PART severally and distinct--EACH with his own place and function. I Cor. 12:27
  
  If the whole church assembles...(and) ALL prophesy--giving inspired testimony and interpreting the divine will and purpose--and an unbeliever or untaught outsider comes in...he will worship God, declaring that God is among you in very truth. I Cor. 14:23
  
  What then is the right course? When you meet together, EACH ONE has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a strange tongue or its interpretation. But let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all. I Cor. 14:26
  
  I want to bring you some spiritual strength, and that means that I will be strengthened by you, EACH OF US helped by THE OTHER'S faith. Roman 1:12
  
  Open your hearts to ONE ANOTHER as Christ opened His heart to you, and God will be glorified. Rom. 15:7
  
  ALL OF US have no veils on our faces, but reflect like mirrors the glory of the Lord. II Cor. 3:18
  
  You should be most careful that there should not be in any of you that wickedness of heart...but help EACH OTHER to stand firm in the faith everyday, while it is still called "today." Heb. 3:14
  
  And let us not hold aloof from our church meetings, as some do, but let us do all we can to help ONE ANOTHER'S faith. Heb. 10:25
  
  These scriptures, and many others, support what Frank and George have written regarding what went wrong, and the institutional scandal that replaced the "one anothers" of the New Testament with a religous, top-heavy heiarchial** structure of "professional" Christians. Dirty laundry? You bet! But it's time to clean up our act! Christ is returning for a church without spot or wrinkle. Could those be "age" spots? Christ is not returning for an "old" church. He is returning for a church that has renewed the glorious dew of her youth. This is a church that has not only renewed her first love for her Lord but for "each other" as well.
  
  Mathew 19:6 states that whatever God brings together, let no man tear apart. In its infancy, the church was wedded to specific Apostolic teaching regarding spiritual and practical ways she was to conduct herself when meeting together. "Pagan Christianity" exposes the chasm that subverted these teachings and seeks to bridge the gap between what was, what can be, and by the grace of Christ, will be again.
  
  Buy and read this book first and then consider:
  Normal Christian Church Life, The
  Rethinking the Wineskin: The Practice of the New Testament Church
  The Company of the Committed
  The Incendiary Fellowship
  Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God
  
  Note to Tyndale: Thank you for following the sacrifical example of your namesake in publishing this book. You've done a great service to the church and to those who love the truth, no matter the cost. One suggestion: When "Pagan Christianity" comes out in paperback, please make the footnotes bigger? We "older" bespeckled readers would really appreciate that.
  
  *Note to Pastors: I love you guys. And your love for our Lord is unquestionable. But imagine if all of your efforts were multiplied exponentially. Imagine if in a church of, say, 500, there was not a single "super-star" minister, but 500 ministers, each ministering Christ to one another. That is the paradigm of the New Testament. And ready or not, here SHE comes!
  
  **Interestingly, Eph.4:10 states that the gifts of Christ are given to various persons so "that the whole universe from LOWEST TO HIGHEST might know His presence." Here all ideas of "heiarchy" are turned upside down.
  
  
  
  
  
• Do you feel their could be more????
  By ACUS2KTXYIY13 on 2008-04-06
  It is really very simple...
  
  If you are happy to sit passively, listen to a leader [CEO], pay your money and leave church for another Sunday, unfulfilled and unchanged by the program; don't read this book.
  
  If you feel that your church life is a passionate all hands on revolution that can, and will take the world for Christ; you don't need to read this book.
  
  If you are living a fulfilled life knowing that you are living in the fullness of God's eternal plan for you. Free to hear and obey the leading of His Spirit, surrounded by supportive believing friends and impacting the lost around you; you don't need to read this book.
  
  You really need to read this book!
  
  It is exciting to see a reformation that will bring the Church back on track happening before your eyes, this book is definitely a key part of this process, especially for those in the Western Church system.
  
  This book is not a comfortable read; I have been studying, applying and teaching many of the truths covered in this book [The false teachings on tithing, the disastrous influence of Constantine and the failure to implement the priesthood of all believers]. To many people it will feel like all that you know is under attack, but stick with it and let God confirm and apply the truth that this book contains.
  
  This book has reignited my passion for the simple power that comes when people gather in houses to seek, worship and serve God like the early church did.
  Some people have commented that this book is anti church, I believe it is just challenging our unhelpful traditions. To be honest I am now more passionate for the church than ever, since leaving the church system, I now feel part of The Church not just a church that is separated from others by its leaders and practices.
  
  More study will be needed to satisfy those who are academically inclined as this is a short book. I would recommend the book by James Rutz called Mega Shift. This documents the amazing things God is doing through those who are freed from spectator Christianity.
  An English bible teacher called David Pawson has been doing some great audio teachings on de-greecing the church [not a spelling mistake] and completing Luther's Reformation; these can be downloaded from various websites and may be available in book form at some stage.
  
  May you find the freedom and excitement that God is bringing back to His Church at this time.
  
  
  
• Please read the book before making a judgement!
  By A1HJWTENJMT2YY on 2008-04-14
  Traditions of men have always competed with the truth. Jesus challenged and condemned the Pharisees and teachers of the law for this in Matthew 15. I would only ask that you read Pagan Christianity with a humble spirit and a Berean attitude. May God bless your search for the truth.
  
  
• Um, could you pass me a dish of history, please?
  By A68QXK0H88J4I on 2008-08-12
  Another failed attempt at Restorationism.
  
  I hope this book will spark your interest in the topic, but that you will read more than just this book. If you read my reviews you will know that I rarely review books I don't like, even though I read a fair amount of them. But this one merits a critique because it is so off the historical mark. (And no, I did not waste my money on this, but when a friend had it at his house I couldn't resist a fast read.) It is the typical "me and Jesus" anti-Catholic/Lutheran/Orthodox, anti-tradition pseudo-scholarship that I used to believe and teach wholeheartedly. The only problem is that it isn't true. But to make their points, the authors misuse their sources wildly, including the Holy Scriptures and if you don't know better, you may start to wonder. Here are some basic, general critiques of the author's numerous points, but it is not exhaustive. They have many more mistakes of scholarship that I will not go into.
  
  First off, is traditional church worship in liturgy pagan, as the authors claim? No. Look at what God commands his people to do in the Old Testament regarding worship. Surprise! It looks mighty pagan with vestments and songs and incense. Maybe the pagans had something right. Hmmm, maybe it is because pagans, whatever that means, are humans, too, and God created them and their hearts long to worship even what it doesn't fully know and there are only so many ways to do it, just like other things in our lives that take on a ritualistic element, hrmph! I think St Paul had something to say about that at Mars Hill while talking to actual pagans. Liturgical worship is pleasing to God. Read the OT and Acts and Revelation (now that is liturgy!) to tie it into how the earliest Christians worshipped. And no, Jesus did not somehow cancel out the Jewish forms of worship that his own Father instituted, as the practices of his followers demonstrate. They kept to the feasts, the prayers and the breaking of bread, still going to temple to pray. Were the apostles the first Paganized Christians? So much for the Spirit leading them into all truth, or is the publication of this book what that verse meant? I think not.
  
  Secondly, you better be careful when you start playing the "Constantine did it" game, claiming he is the cause for so much of the pagan creepage. Think about the formation of the NT canon and then consider what so many scholars, like Bart Ehrman, do with that knowledge. If you follow their reasoning, and the reasoning of these two authors, then the doctrine of the Trinity is pagan and political, along with the canon of Scripture and the Council of Nicaea, when Jesus supposedly "became God". But our authors don't want to take it that far for obvious reasons, so they pick and choose what to blame the Emperor for, deciding to have their cake and eat it, too.
  
  Thirdly, to say that having a building set aside for worship is pagan is like saying that reading and writing are pagan. It just doesn't follow and you cannot pretend that Acts' house-churches, which did have liturgies, however, are somehow the norm for all ages to come. Where does the bible teach that? Nowhere, of course, because the authors are flatly wrong again. There are buildings set aside for the purpose before the Peace, too. Besides, the houses where they worshipped early on became churches in the sense that they always worshipped there in the same manner, or in the tombs (uh oh, sounds a little pagan again), so in that sense they were churches that functioned as homes when not in use as a church.
  
  Pagans talk about a Logos, so the Logos of St John is pagan. Pagans baptize, so baptism is pagan. Pagans speak Greek, so Greek is pagan. You see where this goes, and quickly. And who decides where it ends? The authors, or you, or me. You see, in this model we all read our bibles which tell us what to believe and you and I disagree so we act like our own popes and know in our hearts what is true. Thankfully, however, the bible is not meant to function like the Quran and it is the product of the Church that decided which books were in and which were out, based upon their usage in liturgical (pagan?) worship.
  
  Fourthly, saying that there was no hierarchy in the NT seems to forget the role not only of Apostles, but also of the elders and overseers. See Elders in Every City: The Origin an Role of the Ordained Ministry for a better review of the material.
  
  Lastly, I love how their ideal church structure is amazingly non-denominational Protestant in a curiously American Restorationist flavor. Hmm, it seems that they have been influenced by the pagan culture around them. Bring on the guitars and drums and open bibles and no-one-leading-anything worship going and in two weeks you will, even there, have a untraditional tradition begin to emerge, but in this case it will be amazingly tacky and probably heretical.
  
  For an alternative view, please consider reading the following: The book of Revelation, Evangelical Is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament, The Didache: Text, Translation, Analysis, and Commentary, The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, Constantine's Bible: Politics And the Making of the New Testament, Against the Protestant Gnostics, Retrieving the Tradition and Renewing Evangelicalism: A Primer for Suspicious Protestants, Tradition, Scripture, and Interpretation: A Sourcebook of the Ancient Church (Evangelical Ressourcement: Ancient Sources for the Church's Future), Evangelicals and Tradition: The Formative Influence of the Early Church, Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians",Orthodox Worship: A Living Continuity With the Temple, the Synagogue and Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian. Each of these books deserve to be read by you if you have any inkling of interest on this very important subject.
  
  
  
  
  
• How can these things be?
  By A3AI6T1B0S9E2A on 2008-01-09
  This is a great update to a already great book. If you are new to frank viola be warned,this is a roller coaster ride. If you are a church leader who benefits from the status quo you will not like the thought of your people reading these pages. I went through many feelings while reading this book from anger to confusion to finally hope. We know something is wrong ,is house church the only answer, I am not sure but one thing is sure the things we do now in the name of Christ were not first century traditions but pagan add ons .
  
  
• Truth with a Purpose
  By A3K8LA6JYEYZY3 on 2008-02-10
  I must say that Frank Viola and George Barna do an excellent job at explaning the historical roots of the traditions of what we have been calling "church". I am a student of church history myself and have been for about 20 years. It can get quite complex and confusing to the casual reader, but these authors lay it out in a simple and very readable format.
  
  I am an individual who never takes things at face value. I am always questioning the origins and reasons and motivations behind everything we do "in the name of Christ". I discovered many of these same things that Viola and Barna describe in this book many years ago. Why do we have church buildings? Where did they come from? Why do we have pews and pulpits, choirs, and Sunday school classes? Where did the clergy/laity system originate and why? What about one man ministry and the modern day pastorate?
  
  Viola and Barna answer these questions and then back it up with a huge amount of documentation and historical proof. The footnotes are everywhere in this book! So these questions are answered both intelligently and accurately. And many people are upset about this. The fact is that the truth hurts and actually threatens many present systems and financial structures. But truth is truth nonetheless. The brave thing to do is to face these facts head on and then decide what we are going to do about it. Not run and hide in a corner or lash out at the authors. Please don't shoot the messengers! Just see the truth and receive it. If you honestly take these things to the Lord and do your homework, you will see these brothers are telling the truth.
  
  But there is much more at stake here.
  
  The problem isn't so much that we are practicing traditions that are unbiblical. We all have traditions that we practive everyday that have nothing to do with the New Testament.
  
  The problem is that these traditions actually hinder the life of God and the eternal purpose of God from being fulfilled in the Church. That's where the danger lies. First, the fact that we believe these things to be biblical is an outright deception. Second, these practices are hindering God's people from being, living, and functioning as the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, and the House of God. This is why these brothers have written this book. I believe that they honestly want to see God get what He wants!
  
  Please brothers, keep up the good work!
  
  
• Pagan
  By APAEZ8ENC4HWJ on 2008-03-10
  This book was a waste of money. The authors could have said it all in one paragraph, we believe house churches are the real way to do church and everything else is wrong. And I don't really touch the arrogant way it is written. Writers that write about topics like this and then show no humility make it difficult to read or hear what they have to say. I mean for crying it loud the last I knew Barna was a member at Saddle Back or one of the other mega-churches and here he is now pushing house churches. Dressing up for church, pulpits, tithing, buildings, preaching etc. You name it they are the experts. I mean most mainline churches don't demand anyone dress up anymore. This was some great example of being in touch with reality. I have read lots of historical writers and if I had to say read something to explain history I would recommend N.T Wright or someone like that. George please stick to " the survey says' type books.
  
  
• Surprise, surprise, surprise!
  By A35Z7KSN52ZYBW on 2008-02-10
  Have you ever wondered why the world seems to be changing the church more than the church is changing the world? After all, we the church, are the "family of God," and God created the universe!
  
  Jesus sent us on a mission to Christianize the world. In the first century it was said by the Roman government, "These Christians are turning the world upside-down." I don't recall hearing that evaluation expressed in my lifetime. What happened? Could it be because we, the church, no longer understand what it means to be a Christian?
  
  This book leads the reader through a centuries-long, well-documented, discovery of what has happened to the church. I was amazed and deeply saddened to learn the facts, but encouraged to hear a detailed and logical answer to my question, "What happened."
  
  The church of today doesn't receive criticism well, so this book will be controversial. So was Christ's ministry on this earth, 2000 years ago. If you care about the Truth and the future of Christ's Body, do yourself a favor, read this book.
  
  
• Pagan Christianity
  By A2SP6M2DI1OKVN on 2008-03-06
  A well researched book, if you have good eyes to read the references, and the where-with-all to spend your time checking them. However, a poor conclusion. There is absolutely nothing wrong with "home churches," but unless Frank and George walk to the home church (or ride a mule), in sandles (or barefoot) wear one-piece togas, draw their water from a well, sip a bit of homemade wine during the meal of lentels and fava beans, they are no closer to emulating Jesus, St.Paul, the Corinthians, Galatians, and other early churches than those of us in structured churches. So what is their point? George Barna did his organization a disservice by signing on to this diatribe of modern Christian Church bashing. If the same information was presented in a positive tone, rather than a negative one, it would have been an enjoyable historical read. The authors talk the talk, but it is doubtful that they walk the walk.
  
  
• A MUST read for truly commited Christians!
  By A2CMJLZUZOERTH on 2008-04-06
  This is a wonderful book that will challenge the way you view "church". It is completely biblical and he has done alot of historical research to back his claims. For anyone that feels that there must be more to Christianity than just going to "church" on Sundays, this is the book for them.
  
  
• Life Changing...
  By A2EENGPQZ01STM on 2008-06-04
  This book will help you understand historically why we do what we do in church today (not that it is bad perhaps, just not all biblical - more like tradition). The book is slightly miss-titled to grab readers attention, which it deserves. It rocked my Christian world into understanding. Loved this book! I am buying several copies for my family and friends.
  
  
• Excellent!
  By ATRO9AZLTYAWN on 2008-06-06
  Frank Viola and George Barna have given Christians worldwide a true gem of a book.
  
  Despite the misgivings that some may have based on the title or the subject matter, it is definitely worth diving into the content and giving it a chance.
  
  Far from writing a condemnation of the modern Christian church experience, the authors are instead taking a close look at the roots of several practices, showing the psychological and spiritual effects they have on their practitioners, and offering biblical and thoroughly researched alternatives.
  
  This is a book that is both intellectually and spiritually stimulating and it has the power to change perspectives, opinions, and even lives. Whether you're looking to read about significant facets of Christian practice for the first time or looking for a central reference about those practices you've already researched to keep handy in your library, I would highly recommend this book!
  
  Each chapter covers a different practice (everything from the church building to tithing) and is jam-packed with notes that support the content.
  
  I've studied Christian history for over 10 years and have never had a book that I could easily reference for historical and practical material on these subjects all under one cover until this was published. As a former Eastern Orthodox Christian, I was especially impressed with the book's treatment of the history of the church building and worship. I had always been taught in Eastern Orthodoxy that Orthodox churches were built in the shape of a cross and faced East because it was Apostolic tradition, but no one could show me where that tradition pre-dated Constantine's time. "Pagan Christianity?" thoroughly explains these origins and contrasts them with well-documented early Christian practice.
  
  This is definitely one of the best purchases I've made in a long time!
  
  

• The Shack
• The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: An Extraordinary Guide to Understanding the New Testament
• Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity
• unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters
• Revolution