Viral Jesus: Recovering the contagious power of the Gospel
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Book Description
By returning to what we once had…
We can recover what we once enjoyed.
In the early centuries Christianity was an explosive, viral movement that spread by word of mouth. Persecution could not stop it. In fact, it often helped to spread it.
But today, the gospel is no longer spreading like wildfire throughout the Western world. Slowly, Christianity has morphed into something much different…a stable institutionalized religion that no longer grips us with the excitement and spirituality of the early years.
Ross Rohde believes that this excitement and passion can be recaptured. In Viral Jesus he uses examples from the Bible and today to explore how we can return to our roots and once again enjoy the excitement, simple spirituality, and explosive growth of early Christianity.
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About the Author
Ross Rohde is a house church planter and house church planting coach in the San Francisco Bay Area. A missionary for nearly twenty years, he has worked as a consultant and speaker on the effects of postmodernism on the European church. He has been married for thirty years to his wife Margi. They are the parents of three daughters and grandparents to four grandchildren.
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More About the Author
Ross Rohde is a house church planter, conference speaker and house church planting coach in the San Francisco Bay Area. A missionary for nearly twenty years in Latin America and Europe, he has worked as a consultant and speaker on the effects of postmodernism on the European church. He has been married for thirty years to his wife Margi. They are the parents of three daughters and grandparents to four grandchildren.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Steve Simms
Format:Paperback
Christianity in America seems to be on the decline. Churches are shrinking and have little influence on society. Can things be turned around?
In his new book, "Viral Jesus -- Recovering The Contagious Power Of The Gospel," Ross Rohde shows how Christianity can spread like a virus. It happened in the First Century Roman Empire. It has been happening in China since 1949. But it is not happening in the West.
Viral movements of Christianity are rare. Rohde says that one has never happened in the West (However I believe the early Pentecostal movement centered at Azusa Street in L.A. was one. The early Pentecostals said: "Christianity is better caught than taught," and their movement spread from person to person world-wide until today there are an estimated 500 billion people who have had a Pentecostal experience.)
Aside from this omission, "Viral Jesus" is right on target. Rohde asks why Christianity isn't spreading rapidly anywhere in the West and then answers the question backing up his answers with history and the Bible and contemporary examples.
If you have ever wanted to see dynamic, living Christianity spreading like wild-fire, this is the book for you. It not only presents facts and information, but it also paints a vision that will set your heart ablaze with a passion to see God moving mightily in our culture.
If Christianity is ever to become relevant in the West again, we must learn to connect with the viral, contagious Jesus and not just with the religious, institutional Jesus. Rohde's book will show you how to make that connection!
In his new book, "Viral Jesus -- Recovering The Contagious Power Of The Gospel," Ross Rohde shows how Christianity can spread like a virus. It happened in the First Century Roman Empire. It has been happening in China since 1949. But it is not happening in the West.
Viral movements of Christianity are rare. Rohde says that one has never happened in the West (However I believe the early Pentecostal movement centered at Azusa Street in L.A. was one. The early Pentecostals said: "Christianity is better caught than taught," and their movement spread from person to person world-wide until today there are an estimated 500 billion people who have had a Pentecostal experience.)
Aside from this omission, "Viral Jesus" is right on target. Rohde asks why Christianity isn't spreading rapidly anywhere in the West and then answers the question backing up his answers with history and the Bible and contemporary examples.
If you have ever wanted to see dynamic, living Christianity spreading like wild-fire, this is the book for you. It not only presents facts and information, but it also paints a vision that will set your heart ablaze with a passion to see God moving mightily in our culture.
If Christianity is ever to become relevant in the West again, we must learn to connect with the viral, contagious Jesus and not just with the religious, institutional Jesus. Rohde's book will show you how to make that connection!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Bruce Welch
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
About a year ago I started on a journey toward organic, simple church. Ross Rohde's blog was instrumental in shaping that journey so I eagerly awaited Viral Jesus. At first I thought that this book would lead me further in my journey toward organic church, which it did, but more accurately it has shaped my journey in walking with Jesus again. I just finished reading Viral Jesus and it has renewed within me a desire to walk with Jesus, acknowledging His presence, asking Him to guide our new gathering, expecting him to show up, and being open to the supernatural ways that He works.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Imagine a vibrant viral Christianity that spreads like the plague. Now contrast that with the institutional Christianity that many non-believers avoid like the plague.
In Viral Jesus, Ross Rohde takes us back to the roots of our faith and the Church - back to the days when the Way was so attractive that it spread across the Roman world in just a couple of centuries. And then something went wrong and the viral growth and life transforming power left. In this easy to read book, Rohde describes the church of Jesus and His early followers and contrasts it to what the church has morphed into over the last 17 centuries. He also describes how and why the changes occurred and what it will take to reverse the damage and let Jesus once again reign over a viral church - a church which will win the lost and advance the Kingdom of God.
Rohde shows us the church over the years, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly. He gives us hope that the viral Jesus and His church can be restored and shows how it is being done in China as well as how there were "near misses" in the past in the West - viral movements that did not sustain.
If you are willing to put your ego aside, and think outside the box, this book will help reshape your vision of the Church.
In Viral Jesus, Ross Rohde takes us back to the roots of our faith and the Church - back to the days when the Way was so attractive that it spread across the Roman world in just a couple of centuries. And then something went wrong and the viral growth and life transforming power left. In this easy to read book, Rohde describes the church of Jesus and His early followers and contrasts it to what the church has morphed into over the last 17 centuries. He also describes how and why the changes occurred and what it will take to reverse the damage and let Jesus once again reign over a viral church - a church which will win the lost and advance the Kingdom of God.
Rohde shows us the church over the years, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly. He gives us hope that the viral Jesus and His church can be restored and shows how it is being done in China as well as how there were "near misses" in the past in the West - viral movements that did not sustain.
If you are willing to put your ego aside, and think outside the box, this book will help reshape your vision of the Church.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By JD
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book does a better job than any other I've come across at tracing the triumphs and (all too frequent) missteps of church history, and does so in a way that has me praying hopefully that there might be hope for a new (or re-discovered) way forward. The writing is humble but justifiably critical when necessary, and the tone is hopeful rather than cynical. Perhaps this is because the author has real, life-earned stories to share that many pew-sitting Christians would believe impossible in this day and age - all while singing about a God who can do anything.
If you are at all interested in house/organic church, or just feel a burden for the bride of Christ but out of place in church, PICK THIS BOOK UP!
Lastly, to those who work or are influential in church, I highly recommend you give this book a read as well. Whether right or wrong, this book articulates a way forward that will resonate strongly with many disenfranchised or disillusioned Christians, especially young people. If you desire to better understand the disconnect between many younger (read: postmodern) Christians and much of the church and its current (more modernist) leadership structures, Viral Jesus is a fantastic place to start.
If you are at all interested in house/organic church, or just feel a burden for the bride of Christ but out of place in church, PICK THIS BOOK UP!
Lastly, to those who work or are influential in church, I highly recommend you give this book a read as well. Whether right or wrong, this book articulates a way forward that will resonate strongly with many disenfranchised or disillusioned Christians, especially young people. If you desire to better understand the disconnect between many younger (read: postmodern) Christians and much of the church and its current (more modernist) leadership structures, Viral Jesus is a fantastic place to start.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A few years back I attended a simple church conference in Dallas. I was new to the idea of house church and I didn't know what to expect that weekend. It was clear pretty quickly that I was in the midst of a bunch of people that loved Jesus. Throughout the whole conference there was one individual that caught my attention. I noticed him talking to a lot of folks from all corners of the country. I thought perhaps he was going to be a speaker but as it turned out he was just attending the conference the same as myself. As he spoke with people he seemed to sincerely care. He laughed, smiled and it appeared he really listened well. I told my wife "this guy seems to ooze Jesus." Of particular interest to me was the way he interacted with the wait staff. There was one waiter that I saw talking with him several times. I was impressed that he took the same sincere interest in the waiter as he did the conference attendees. On the last day of the conference he made a quick announcement asking for prayer. He was headed over to the waiter's house. The waiter had decided to follow Jesus and was gathering his friends and family so Ross Rohde, this gentleman I had been watching, could come and share with his loved ones. My mouth dropped open... I was stunned. Over the last several years I've bumped into Ross at conferences and currently follow his blog. He is still oozing Jesus. I tell this story to make a basic point that "Viral Jesus" is written by an individual that is living out the principles of this book. I've seen first hand the true infectious nature of a life "infected" with Jesus. Viral Jesus has challenged me to truly make Jesus Lord. Having read this book I'm learning to listen better and abide in Christ. Thanks Ross Rohde for being willing to serve.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a virus many should catch
Ross Rhode's book Viral Jesus: Recovering the Contagious Power of the Gospel is a bit difficult to codify in terms of what exactly it is. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Sonny Lemmons
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catching a Contagious Christianity
Speak Easy Book Review: " Catching a Contagious Christianity"
Viral Jesus: Recovering the Contagious Power of the Gospel (Passio, 2012) by Ross Rohde. Read more
Viral Jesus: Recovering the Contagious Power of the Gospel (Passio, 2012) by Ross Rohde. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Joshua Lee Henry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Viral Jesus
Extremly insightful as to the role and operation of church as we know it today and why it's the way it is. He gives insight as to the biblical model of church.
Published 12 months ago by Deborah C Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
If the book is like the website, www.thejesusvirus.org, Amazon needs...
Come on Amazon, add some stars! Five doesn't do this book justice. For the sake of disclosure, I just ordered the book (so haven't read it), but have to give it 9 of of 5 stars... Read more
Published 13 months ago by M. Sequeira
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good Idea but Not Sustained by Adequate Research
I find the initial ideas in the book commendable, especially the part about becoming a contagious Christian for God, to spread the gospel like wildfire. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Dr Conrade Yap
5.0 out of 5 stars
a call to return to early church spirituality
When conditions are right, a fire can sweep through an area. Ross believes that conditions are coming together for a viral move of God in this generation. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Joan N.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great job, Ross Rohde!
While many Evangelical Christians today shake their heads and point to the younger generation as one that won't "abide sound doctrine", I am really excited about the future of... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Christian Believer
5.0 out of 5 stars
I will read this one again!
Justifiably bold.
Eminently readable.
Succinct and adaptable.
Undeniably relevent.
Superb in both content and context. Read more
Eminently readable.
Succinct and adaptable.
Undeniably relevent.
Superb in both content and context. Read more
Published 14 months ago by K. Dinneen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rediscovering A Contagious Christianity
Christianity was designed to spread like a virus, moving from person to person, contact point to contact point, quickly changing people and making them an agent of change. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Travis Kolder
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Truth
Jesus is Lord. - the ultimate truth
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. - an absolute
As Ross Rohde matured in his Christian experience, he came to a... Read more
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. - an absolute
As Ross Rohde matured in his Christian experience, he came to a... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Sister Shirl
