Customer Reviews

Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

I know this book will have its critics, but it will only be those who will attempt to keep the institution called `Church' alive, those who derive their very livelihood from it.

For years, I had this nagging feeling deep in my spirit that something is very, very wrong in my walk with Christ. I never doubted Him, I just doubted what I was busy with. Reading Viola's book was like coming home from a long imprisonment. Lord knows, I have tried all the 'formulas' of what the institutional church told me a 'good Christian' should do, but I almost ended up a bigger mess than when I got there in the first place. All along, Jesus was calling me not to do it their way, but to do it His way.

Pagan Christianity simply confirmed in words and with scripture what my own spirit was screaming out since my conversion - I just did not have the ability to define it myself. Reading this book gave me the confidence that what I sensed all along was not `rebellion', but simply God's Sprit trying to teach me the Lord's ways and not the church' ways. While reading, my spirit literally leapt at each page and after reading it, I felt like a mountain was off my shoulders - I am now free to worship God in Spirit and Truth.

I thank God for faithful saints like Frank. The research in this book is staggering, the footnotes endless and the truth liberating. If someone told me to throw out all my books, except the Bible and one other book, then this book will be it. Even though this book is packed academically, it's still a very easy read and the comfortable style with which the subject is conveyed makes for one of those rare books which one cannot put down once you have read the first page. It captivates the heart and alerts the soul.

If you are bored with Church, then this is the read for you ...

As a Christian, I never knew why we did the things for church that we do. I love God and have always wanted more. This book showed me why church is so stagnant today and it pointed me to what is missing and how it can be restored. I look forward to reading other books by this author. I have searched for a book like this for a long time but this is only book I know of available today.

"Pagan Christianity" is very well researched and well written for the most part (overuse of the exclamation point abounds). I have to say that I have not ever come across a more succint or reader-friendly account of church history and practice. As Christians it's very good to know WHY we do what we do. Those who are new to Christinity and who didn't grow up in church culture are often puzzled at our customs and Viola is right in that many of our traditions have absolutely no root in scripture. Viola has really sparked my interest in the house church, and it certainly appears that the house church might reflect the true spirit of how church meetings were meant to take place.

What I didn't appreciate was the cynical tone that Viola takes throughout the entire book. He basically asserts that any pastor who reads the book has two choices: to either quit the pastorate or to live and work in hypocrisy. His attitude towards the institutional "church" we have today is that there is no redeeming value to it and therefore God can't use it at all towards His purpose. I am not disagreeing with the assertion that our current way of doing "church" can be and often is detrimental to Christians. But I really didn't appreciate Viola's assertions that we as Christians need to start from square one with house churches or else we aren't "true Christians".

If you want a very well researched, well cited history of the evolution of the church, then this is the book for you. You will just have to ignore the spirit in which it is written.

This book will set the Christian church straight
regarding the origins and history of contemporary
church practices and worship liturgies which openly
contradict the model given in the New Testament.

This is a MUST READ for any Christian questioning current Christian practices. Mr. Viola historically traces the steps which brought us to our current institutionalized churches and mindsets. The biggest detriment to this work is his position that our current institutionalized churches lack the ability to equip the saints and consequently stiffle the growth of its members and body yet institutionalized churches are larger in number than those which Mr. Viola participates. Mr. Viola needs to add examples and more proof to his positions (regardless if they are true). The reader must also realize that the underlying premise to Mr. Viola's arguement is: first century church practice is binding on the current church. With this in mind, we know that there are many first century church practices (i.e. examples) which even the author's church does not replicate. Thus, it becomes a shaky arguement to simply pick a few specks in other brother's churches and miss the own in his own eye. Reality is: God does chose individuals for His own plan and glory and we should not shirk from acknowledging God's special purpose for these few Christians and their amazing ability and accomplishments through Christ. Regardless, still a must read but not for those desiring to have an axe to grind with his own brothers and sisters in Christ.

This book 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 has 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 fashion he has traced the origins of the traditions practices and institutions of all that which makeup what we call Christianity today. In contrast he boldly illustrates 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 suspected for many years that many if not all new Christians early in the adventure of their new life in Christ have deep and unsettling doubts about this institution we call church. Those doubts should not go unheeded. At last the great harlot of the 17th chapter of Book of Revelation has been revealed and the Spirit calls to all who are His, "Come out". May you be provoked to read this work and as you do may your spirit register the still faint voice of the Spirit say unto you, "Come Out".

This book will definitely show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes, to coin a popular line from "The Matrix'.

So why does it matter where and how we got most of our church practices? Because none of this is native to the Church that Jesus is building. The author does a great job in documenting alot of the practices that we esteem so highly and holy in protestantism which is little more than reformed catholicism.

I believe every christian should read this book and others just to get a snap shot view of what we are sacrificing for a convenient religion. The author does a great job in showing how the CEO church of today was not the organic and authentic community of the original ACTS church.