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Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices Hardcover – January 1, 2008

by Frank Viola (Author), George Barna (Author)

1,028 customer reviews

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Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we “dress up” for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, choirs, and seminaries? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles. Coauthors Frank Viola and George Barna support their thesis with compelling historical evidence in the first-ever book to document the full story of modern Christian church practices.

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Product details

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Tyndale Momentum; Revised, Updated ed. edition (January 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781414314853
ISBN-13: 978-1414314853
ASIN: 141431485X
Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.1 x 7.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 1,028 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #902 in History of Christianity (Books)
- #91 in Ecclesiology Christian Theology (Books)
- #234 in Ritual Religious Practices

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Challenging, Yet Necessary

September 22, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

A startling look into the roots of our institutional church programs and practices.

Make no mistake, this book is a critique and the authors paint the topics in a negative light. As the authors have stated elsewhere, this book is a deconstruction of modern church practice and it is up to the reader to figure out where to go from there.

This book hit me like a fist in the gut. Everything I knew about my faith practice was challenged and it was an uncomfortable few months after finishing the last chapter. That being said, I recommend that everyone read this book. Once you realize how much of church practice has superseded Scripture, you will begin the search for a more focused fellowship. This book should be read with others to gain more insight about simple fellowships/house church ideals that are present in the book.

I hope you have the courage to be tested in your preferences.

29 people found this helpful

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A christian must read!

January 16, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I believe every Christian should read this book it will bring you closer to God not farther away. You will be shocked to learn what is wrong with our church "system". I bought this book because I was seeing things in the "church" that does NOT line up with scripture. We are now starting a home group.

19 people found this helpful

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Educational and Entertaining

June 29, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I grew up in a protestant environment. Frank Viola nails the Sunday routine that's surprisingly alike in all modern churches. What we consider "worship service" is based, not on the first century example but on practices from early pagan cultures. Sort of shocking to me, but it did make me smile and shake my head many times (and even grin a couple of times) when I recognized a whole string of sacred cows that have no basis in scripture (including order of worship, sermon, the little fence that divides the leader from the congregants, and many more). Made me realize the truth of what his research shows. No matter how many pretty new dresses you put on a cow or what you call it, it still remains a cow. I really appreciated the descriptions of what actually constituted Christian worship in the first century. I've read and studied the Bible since I was a child, yet after reading Pagan Christianity, I'm seeing all these things with new eyes. Incredible. If we'd follow the New Testament examples of what actually went on when first century Christians got together, we certainly wouldn't get sleepy or sit there mutely wondering what was for lunch, because everybody present participates. Yep, everybody. Worship is not a spectator sport. This book is a stimulating read, and it's based on solid research--all documented. It's one of those life-changing books that comes into your life quietly--and leaves you changed. I liked it so much that I've ordered a complete library of Viola's books. I want to know more!

50 people found this helpful

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October 14, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is beyond excellent. The scholarship is exceptional. The truths explored are powerful and clear. This book unveils the traditions created by man that has watered down, bound up, and hindered the true Church of Jesus Christ. Reading this will change your life if your heart is open to the Holy Spirit. You'll be amazed when you see how we have been blinded to the simplicity and purity of the church Jesus wants to build in the earth. You will learn how to shake off the chains, but others who are comfortable in their traditions may not appreciate your new views or freedom. Read this. Read the references. This can be a manual that will enhance your understanding of the Word of God because it will enable you to read it without the glasses of tradition hindering your vision.

11 people found this helpful

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Christianity? Dressed-up paganism!

September 6, 2018

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

I was recommended this item by Dr. Timothy R Jennings. I decided to purchase the Audio CDs. The plastic casing was imperfect; not closing properly. Amazon did not hesitate to offer me a replacement or a refund. In the end, I just kept the CDs for myself (they were originally to be a present).

The content of this 'book' (from 2008) is eye-opening. We have been removed from the Biblical faith of the early church and have thought that what we practice today is genuine Christianity. Well, in your case it may well be, as the adornments have little to do with actual internal beliefs. But it seems that we need to strip away all that clutters, and live out our faith as Christ and the Apostles did. Easier said than done? You are probably right. However, this book should be required reading for every soul who confesses Christ as his/her Saviour. The result would a simple, practical faith that looks not to prelates and buildings and rituals and forms of religion but to the inner temple of God. Do I recommend it? Only if you are willing to work through the discomfort that is inevitable if a change is to be wrought. Sincerely, Chris HARLE.

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6 people found this helpful

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An important book

August 3, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Anyone involved in Christianity is concerned with what is effective in fulfilling our calling. The New Testament describes the things to which the early church devoted itself and the practice of worship which the early church followed. The church has forgotten these essentials and substituted more convenient traditions which seem to work. But do they really work? Is the church effective in making devoted disciples? Is the church having a radical impact on the culture in which it is embedded? If not, why not? Barna and Viola explore these questions by presently the historical background of current church traditions. Perhaps the biggest question to ask is how do current traditions interfere with effective practices that once were part of the church. Once the smoke is cleared away, the reader has the clarity to look at what the Bible says with new eyes. I have read this book twice and found it valuable. Once you know the non-essentials, the essentials stand out in bold relief.

4 people found this helpful

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Thrud The Barbarian

One glaring omission

September 9, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

It is an interesting book but I can't help but notice the conspicuous absence of the Sunday worship/Sabbath issue. I guess the writers are ok slaughtering the sacred cows of others but not their own.

6 people found this helpful

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