|
| 
 enlarge | Authors: Frank Viola, George Barna
Publisher: BarnaBooks
Category: Book
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $11.32
You Save: $6.67 (37%)
New (32) Used (8) from $11.32
Avg. Customer Rating:  216 reviews
Sales Rank: 2210
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.6 x 1.2
ISBN: 141431485X
Dewey Decimal Number: 262.0017
EAN: 9781414314853
ASIN: 141431485X
Publication Date: January 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Phenomenal October 30, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I read The Untold Story of the New Testament and now I am reading Pagan Christianity. If you really want to know the truth of our origins as Christians, this book will give you what you need to journey towards it. I believe the revelation Frank Viola has obtained is phenomenal. Pagan Christianity has unfolded so much for me and answered questions I have asked for years. His view is unbias and he is not in any way attacking Christianity. What he is doing is informing his readers wisely and responsibly. If you want a deeper relationship with God, this is a book I suggest you read.
A Church Too Smart By Half October 29, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
That's the conclusion I've come to after reading "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna. I'm sure there's a place in the world for theologians in their halls of christian academia, but Viola/Barna make a sound case that the institutional church has become too smart for its own good, relying more upon its own cleverness rather than God's spirit to change the world. To quote the book: "Pragmatism is unspiritual, not just because it encourages ethical considerations to be secondary, but because it depends on techniques rather than God to produce the desired effects...Pragmatism is harmful because it teaches 'the end justifies the means'..."
In reading the book, it doesn't take long to realize that the contemporary, Western church wouldn't be recognizable to a first century believer. They might even be skeptical of it by recognizable parallels to pagan practices. Church buildings, steeples, seating arrangements, pulpits, clothing, etc. all have pagan influence and origins. And Viola/Barna takes no prisoners among pastors, preachers, priests, youth leaders, worship leaders or even church secretaries. Name any person of responsibility in an institutional church and there's no biblical reason for their office. Consider this book a complete deconstruction of every familiar church convention. Better to forget everything you know about church and start from Biblical scratch.
The read is easy, but the footnotes are extensive enough to slow things down considerably. It takes time to follow scriptural support of a point made but it's worth it. It's almost mind boggling how thoroughly they make and support their contentions. Though I don't agree with every argument made, the thrust of their position on the modern church experience is one all Christians should consider.
George Barna's "Revolution" makes a good prequel to Pagan as it reveals church trends which seem to underscore Viola's church concept. The curious thing is that each book was written without the other in mind. A reader of "Pagan Christianity?" will benefit greatly from Barna's findings in "Revolution". I recommend both.
The Real Thing and Nothing Less October 27, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
In my lifetime, I've watched institutional Christianity lose influence in the public and private sectors. I've seen friends that I grew up with fall away from belief. Marriages have crumbled in the church. The Christian world has become increasingly disengaged from the issues of real life, while becoming more and more entangled in the affairs of this current age.
How could I ignore, then, a book such as "Pagan Christianity"? Like its companions, "Revolution" and "Reimagining Church," this book aims to trace back Christianity to its roots, to understand the aims that Jesus had as He overturned the religious thinking of the day. Many modern institutional churches want to be "New Testament churches," and this book tries to uncover what that really means. It tackles our current concepts of the church building, the pastor, the tithe, and the assumption that all church leaders must receive a formal theological education. It uses extensive footnotes and a great bibliography, while remaining very readable. There's also a "Delving Deeper" section at the end of each chapter that answers questions raised.
And, yes, this book raises questions and hackles! I believe, though, that the authors' intention is not to stir bitterness or division. Instead, they hope to call believers back to an organic church, to a body of believers in which all have a voice and a function.
"Pagan Christianity," by its very title, aims to shake people from their complacency. I am ready to be shaken. I'm tired of going through the motions. Yes, there are benefits in staying committed to something, but we have swallowed whole many rituals from the past that have nothing to do with the Christianity in the New Testament. This is a call to be the holy priesthood that all believers were called into as Jesus tore apart the temple veil. We all have access to God and to the flow of His Spirit through each believer.
Is God bigger than our mistakes and institutions? Absolutely. He continues to work through believers, even in the midst of traditions formed by man. I, too, have been moved by the Holy Spirit in the midst of worship services or sermons. Overall, though, I want to see LIFE in this body of believers. I'm tired of stale religion. I want the real thing and nothing less.
Are you SURE you're ready for this??? October 25, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
WOW! This is one of those book that you either love or hate (probably depending on who you are-Pastors and church officials seem to have trouble reading it!)Every chapter gives you a "gunk". With a new way of looking at the things we do, and how we behave within the "church" you will be left feeling slightly "shell-shocked" after finishing this book. Be warned-It's NOT an easy read. BUT if you like a challenge and you are really serious about how much you love Jesus and want to understand how much the "Church" has changed since the 1st Century,then it's the book for you. However you will be left with a feeling of "What now?"
The "What Now"-is answered in Frank's second book-"Reimagining Church" these two book should really be read together for you to understand what Pagan Christianity is all about.
A Blessed Read!!! October 21, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book presents some information that is more than valuable for His true church. I Highly recommend reading this book and the others by Frank Viola. It will help you see the true grace of God, as He has allowed all of this pagan influence to train His true church. It is more than amazing what we wretched souls do and have done against our God, His precious Son, and His Holy Spirit. Hope it doesn't hurt your denominational feelings but, instead draws you to Christ. Despite all of the flack against this book, Read It For Yourself, with an open heart and mind, see what Jesus really has to say! Please do not be mislead with Tradition!
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
