Pagan Christianity

I have just finished reading Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna.

Wow!!

In the preface of the book, Frank Viola says "we are making an outrageous proposal: that the church in its contemporary, institutional form has neither a biblical nor a historical right to function as it does."

Like someone clearing a table by taking a wide swath of their arm and pushing everything off the table, crashing it to the ground, this book pushes aside most of what and how we "do" church today.

From church buildings, to the Sunday morning order of worship, the contemporary sermon to the office of the pastor, music ministry, tithing, clergy salaries and Christian education all are challenged.  The book looks at the roots or origins of many of these issues and tries to show that they are not found in the new testament but in many cases came out of the pagan culture of the day.  "Pagan Christianity" seems well researched, there are tons of foot notes and references.

It has me thinking.  This is one book I need Tracy to read to make sure we are on the same page.

Comments

[Stuart]

Mark, how has this book immediately impacted the way you look at your church and the church leaders you work with? Have you seen the evidence that it presents, in our community? Does the book talk about the "church" thoughout the world or is it primarily addressing the US?