Pagan Christianity?: Exploring The Roots Of Our Church Practices

Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Product Description

Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, choirs, and seminaries? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles. Coauthors Frank Viola and George Barna support their thesis with compelling historical evidence in the first-ever book to document the full story of modern Christian church practices.
Rate Points :4.0
Binding :Hardcover
Label :BarnaBooks
Manufacturer :BarnaBooks
ProductGroup :Book
Studio :BarnaBooks
Publisher :BarnaBooks
EAN :9781414314853
Price :$17.99USD
Lowest Price :$11.26USD
Customer ReviewsA cynical offering by a once-great church theorist
Rating Point :1 Helpful Point :1
We associate George Barna with sociological studies about Christian faith and culture, intended to help pastors and churches be more effective. This book is something very, very different. In Pagan Christianity Barna and Frank Viola analyze contemporary worship and practice in an attempt to show how much paganism it has absorbed in 2000 years. Not everything here will be new to you we have long known that Christianity, particularly our worship, picked up quite a few cultural artifacts along the way. But are those fatal to the faith? One cant help but think of Hisslops The Two Babylons, and the highly doubtful thesis that every smidgen of extra-Christian, extra-Protestant influence adheres to the church and hopelessly contaminates current Christian practice. Pagan Christianity comes across as negative and slightly scolding, which is especially sad because it is under the byline of someone who has been the champion of innovative church leadership. The authors point seems to be that the only legitimate Biblical expression of our faith will be Acts-style pastorless house churches. The rest of us are going about it all wrong. Im not sure Pagan Christianity contributes much toward helping us to get it right.

Not for the faint of heart
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
I loved the book, but reading it (I stopped only to eat and sleep) from cover to cover was a little like giving birth in all its grit and glory with no medication for discomfort. And there was major discomfort !

This book is not for sissies or the faint at heart. But for the pioneer who is willing to "go for broke" in search of the promised land, this book may be the catalyst to help you take that first step. By the end of the book I had jumped off the cliff. I am still a bit stunned, but in a good way. I think.
I am waiting for the next book, Reimagining Church, to come in the mail.
The only thing I know about church right now is that I have yet to experience it the way it was meant to be. I am more in love with Jesus than ever and for the first time in many years, I feel that I can truly approach Him, as a child, and really hear His voice.
Thanks, Mr. Viola, for having the courage to research and write this book.

to those who find fault...
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
Ive come across a lot of people that like to argue against this book, but havent really read it. Theyre just basing their argument on what someone else has said... that probably hasnt read it! Explaining the principles of this book to fellow believers, even to those who are friendly to gathering outside a traditional setting, is never usually embraced with open arms. The truth of this book is so sharp, it will divide the soul and spirit (not a painless process). As humans, we are programmed to fight or flight when our lives are in danger, but as Christians, we are called to be living sacrifices. Something has to die, and for our lives in Christ to be fruitful, it always has to be our picture. I think one of the main reasons people nearly get offended by this book is because they prefer their picture to Gods reality.

Bottom line: If you dont agree with this book, you havent really read it.
If you did read it, and feel like your "picture" is threatened, it did its job.

Pagans did good things too
Rating Point :1 Helpful Point :1
Even if there are some parallels or similarities between the church now and some things that pagans did, that doesnt mean that all things we do that are not recorded in the Bible are bad or un-Christlike. One thing many forget and or deny is that we have a freedom in Christ that many other religions do not enjoy. Outright sin and evil are never to be part of a church service, or of private Christian life, but being innovative and using some things in modern society to reach out to the lost is not necessarily a sin. For instance, if a church wants to reach out to rebellious, rocker youth, it may be prudent to put some hymns to rock music, and spice up the service to show the kids that it is possible to be a Christian, and still have fun. I personally do not know of any church that practices communism, but that is exactly what believers did in the early church, at least for a while. The term "New Testament church" is highly subject to personal interpretation. Some so called New Testament churches "practice" speaking in tongues, but in reality, they probably are not doing what was done in the first century. I do not honestly believe that God wants us to pattern modern churches after the New Testament church, in any regard but strong doctrine. The early church didnt have tools like DVD players, cars and airplanes, and as such had to do things differently. Yes we worship on Sunday, but the word Sabbath simply means seventh, so any one day out of seven is valid to worship on. Some get dressed up for church, while others go in jeans, it matters not. The author is definitely biased and is tying to impart his particular sectarian beliefs on the rest of us, and while he has the right to try, you have the right to say no. I go to church, I sing hymns, I worship God and fellowship with other believers and I take of the cup and the bread. I also study the word of God with other believers, something that the early church didnt always do, simply because at that time, the New Testament was not yet finished. So, am I pagan for that? Yes, we celebrate Christmas, and we understand that some of the symbols in it and in Easter borrow from paganism, but it has a decidedly Jesus tone now, and belongs to us. Read this book if you desire, but dont condemn fellow believers based on its stilted viewpoints.

A Must Read for Truth Seekers!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
While searching to understand the failing condition of America, a notice concerning Pagan Christianity popped up in my email inbox. I began to investigate. After listening to an interview with the authors, God confirmed in my spirit that I should read their book and I did. Then I ordered more than ten copies for my friends including the top five books Frank personally recommended. God is asking the church to reexamine its operational presuppositions! Will you study these issues? I am!

Frank Violas and George Barnas efforts reflect real courage. Give honor to whom honor is due! Before reading this work one must ask himself: Does my love for the Truth end where my flesh desires to protect my religion? God is clearly behind their work!

In collaboration with the Director of Church Education And Reform, weve concluded that the material presented in this book needs to be personally studied and acted upon.

C. Stevens

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