Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices [Paperback]

Frank A. Viola (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

This volume makes an outrageous proposal: That most of what we Christians do in our churches has no root in the New Testament. It rather has its origin in pagan culture long after the death of the apostles. As shocking as that sounds, Viola proves his point by documenting every claim he makes. Fully footnoted, 'Pagan Christianity' is the first book ever penned that documents the entire story of our modern church practices.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This title has been revised, expanded, and updated and it is available on Amazon.com under the title "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna. The constructive sequel is called "Reimagining Church."

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Present Testimony Ministry (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966665732
• ISBN-13: 978-0966665734
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #309,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, simple, but I agree in part with critics, March 22, 2005

By 

Dave Y. "nobody777" (Kennewick, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices (Paperback)

First of all, let me say that Frank's book, Pagan Christianity, is a must read! It's scholarly without being complex or too wordy and it's a fair examination of historical reality. I do have a few critical remarks of my own, however, they are minor critiques. This book is excellent! Worth the five stars I gave it. If you are looking for an easy-to-read resource chronicling the origins of modern-day church practices, this is your book! This is one book that will be read again and again and the subject of and resource for many a conversation on the matter of this phenomenon we might well call "churchianity".

Having said that, I have to say that I also agree (in part) with some of the book's critics and those who loved this book shouldn't feel threatened or angred by the sub-5-star reviews. Viola's work here, I must agree, is perhaps not quite the caliber of a history text book (so I can't say it's the be-all/end-all resource of resources - though it comes close at times). While there are scores of references in footnotes on every page, it should be noted that a number of the books mentioned are simply references to other authors who happen to draw the same conclusions as Frank - and not necessarily well-known historians or scholars on the subject. That does not make them less-valuable and neither does this mean they are not accurate statements. I simply mean to convey that the critics have a legitimate point of critique here. The book bills itself as being "fully footnoted" as if footnotes alone equal irrefutable evidence. To boasts like this, I must say, "Frank please, we can do without the manipulation sales pitch buddy." ;)

Please understand, I have studied much of this subject myself and (though I am no historian expert myself) I do happen to agree with the vast majority of Frank's conclusions in this book and feel they are historically accurate (this is why I wholly recommend this book as a trustworthy resource - not to mention really one of the only books of its kind ever produced), but for technicality's sake, some of the critics comments are justified in the sense that this book is written at more of a high school level. But then, Viola himself would tell you this is the point.

A college textbook is not usually much fun to read for the common person and not many would take the time to bother... Not to mention that most people aren't interested in searching through 200 different manuscripts and technical jargon to try and piece together a comprehensible answer to their question. ;) Frank does his audience a HUGE favor by summarizing the details and he does an excellent job in my opinion.

Yes, I will agree, there are a few places where he probably could have elaborated more and examined a broader reference of Scripture (I agree with the reviewer who said he would have liked to see an examination of 1 Timothy chapter 5; as indeed this passage in often used by professional preachers to justify ministry salaries). Yes, there are a couple of places in the book where Frank inserts his personal presumptions, though I personally think these are minor details (and to be expected in any book by any author). For example, in one place he makes mention that Abraham's tithe in Genesis was voluntary - yet Scripture does not confirm this presumption (in fact history reveals that it is more likely Abraham was following Arab custom of the day). There are no footnotes to cross-reference on some of these minor points of presumption, but these don't detract from the main point of the book; nor do they discredit it. In fact some are rather insightful and, at the very least, thought-provoking. Yes, there are places that I think would have benefitted from Frank not seeming to presume that house church folks (or those who have read other sources on the same topic or his previous books) would be reading his book. I've watched the reaction of some clueless folks who see the title alone and become disinterested (you would think the title would provoke the opposite effect - but that's the way us out-of-church folks tend to think now that we're out of the "system" and I think Frank falls into this trap a bit as well).

I would have to disagree with the reviewer that thinks the book loses focus at the end. On the contrary I think the book ends appropriately. Frank doesn't use this particular book in his series to push his personal home church views, rather he simply gives the goods to the reader to leave them introspecting and laying their thoughts and concerns before the Lord. Rather than telling them what to do - i.e. giving his solution (as so many "Christian" topic books do)- Frank blesses his readers by encouraging them (somewhat indirectly) to press in to the Lord and wait on Him for direction. I love that! It's what sets this book in the solid 5 star category because it's only agenda is to present an accurate historical summary of how most of our modern-day church practices came into existence and briefly why many of these are harmful to the Christian's spiritual growth and maturity and relationships with other believers in the body of Christ. If you want to know more about his views on "church planting", you can always buy another one of his books, but he doesn't tackle that beast here (and I'm glad because I personally challenge the concept Frank titles "the church planter" anyway - but that's another matter for another time).

The book is just tops and I would easily say a must read! While it's easy for some to complain, one might consider the fact that probably none of these critics have taken the time to present a better work. Frank clearly did his homework and, in my humble opinion, has done a great service to the body of Christ! Christians ought to read this book if they are sincerely hungry for truth, not just tradition. Too many things Christians call "holy" and "sacred" are such only because man has dared called his concepts "ordained by God" when nothing could be further from the truth. The knowledge this kind of book equips the reader with (even if it's on a more basic level) will aid a believer by helping them to recognize potential religious manipulation and fallacy. Most of all, it will help to remind us that Christ alone should be at the center of our lives - not religious institutions, rituals, formulas, programs, clergy, or anything else. Christ alone must have the preeminence! God bless you all and keep you free in Christ Jesus!

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Controversial, Iconoclastic (if not scandalous!), but fair, November 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices (Paperback)

Taking up topics like these, with a title like "Pagan Christianity" would lead one to expect a lot of fire-breathing and biased finger-pointing, but not so.

Even if lots of cherished tradition and conventional wisdom get schredded by Viola's unreletent assault with historical facts, the arguments unfold with an encouraging lack of arrogance. This book contains so much history (both anecdotal and analytical), that it is impossible to find a soft spot to attack. An objective person must address the issues raised, even if they hurt. Protestantism, Evangelicalism and Neo-Pentecostalism all get their fair share of blows, not Roman Catholicism only.

The author does not hide his personal leanings toward informal, idealistic models of Christian community, but he isn't "preachy" about it. No Denomination's faithful get demonized, even though the practices of every Denomination imaginable get blasted by Viola's copiously footnoted accounts of how they came to be (As detective Friday would say, "just the facts, Ma'am").

Bottom lines: Highly valuable perspective. I have no reason to doubt any of the ample sources cited in this adequately-researched volume. Well-written; not boring. Viola's conclusions are logical and transparent enough. Provides plenty of raw material as well as food for thought to anyone wondering how Sunday morning in Christendom ever became as predictable and lifeless as it is.

67 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opener for the masses..., October 11, 2003

By 

Rick Josey "Producer, www.SuperHeartLiving.com" (Newton, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices (Paperback)

Viola's book should be read by every Christian with a hunger for truth. The previous reviewer from Florida obviously wants to steer folks away from this book...and for good reason. It's an eye-opener, alright. Most of what goes on in so-called "church-services" is NOT in the Scriptures. It's simply man-made religion. Viola simply reveals what history books have said all along, and some of us salute him for that.

If God's people cannot face the facts, then they are not people of TRUTH. Check for yourself and see if "pulpits, pews, going-to-church, etc." are anywhere to be found in Scripture. I challenge my brothers and sisters in Christ to take an honest look. Get this book, read it, and make up your own mind. You deserve a good look at the facts! We need more books like this, written by men of courage and integrity who love God and his Word.

Don't let any "smug, nasty" reviewer steer you away from this book. Perhaps the straight-forward, simple writing style offend some people with an intellectual bent toward arrogance. Anyway, this book is a great read!