Pagan Christianity is a thought-provoking book written by Frank Viola and George Barna that challenges many of the traditional practices and beliefs commonly associated with modern Christianity. The authors argue that much of what is considered "Christian" today has its roots in pagan rituals and traditions, rather than biblical principles. The book delves into the history and development of various Christian rituals and practices, such as church buildings, the pastor system, the order of worship, and baptism. Viola and Barna argue that many of these practices were not established by Jesus or the early apostles, but were instead adopted from pagan religions and cultural norms. One of the main ideas in Pagan Christianity is that the hierarchical structure of the church, with a single pastor serving as the primary spiritual authority, is not biblical. The authors assert that this model was influenced by the Roman Emperor Constantine and the Roman Catholic Church, rather than the teachings of Jesus and the early church.
written by Trevin Wax. © 2008 Kingdom People Blog
In their critique of the sermon, the authors allege that the monological preaching from modern pulpits has no basis in Scripture and does more harm than good 97 102. Without this kind of instruction, the congregation s trust is implicitly shifted from the Bible itself to their leader s grasp of the Bible or, worse, to rote tradition.
The authors assert that this model was influenced by the Roman Emperor Constantine and the Roman Catholic Church, rather than the teachings of Jesus and the early church. Viola and Barna also challenge the use of church buildings, suggesting that they too have pagan origins and distract from the true purpose of gathering as believers. They advocate for a more organic and intimate form of church, where believers meet in homes or other non-traditional settings.
Pagan Christianity? (Paperback)
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Description
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, and choirs? This ground-breaking book, now in affordable softcover, makes an unsettling proposal: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is rooted, not 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 and extensive footnotes that document the origins of modern Christian church practices. In the process, the authors uncover the problems that emerge when the church functions more like a business organization than the living organism it was created to be. As you reconsider Christ's revolutionary plan for his church-to be the head of a fully functioning body in which all believers play an active role-you'll be challenged to decide whether you can ever do church the same way again.
- Christianity - History
- Christian Rituals & Practice - General
- Christian Church - History
- Hardcover (February 1st, 2008): $24.99
- Compact Disc (September 1st, 2008): $16.98
- MP3 CD (September 1st, 2008): $16.98
The book also explores the origins of other Christian practices, such as the order of worship and the celebration of holidays like Christmas and Easter. Viola and Barna argue that many of these traditions were adapted from pagan rituals, and that the church would benefit from a return to more authentic, biblically-based practices. Overall, Pagan Christianity aims to challenge commonly accepted beliefs and practices within modern Christianity, encouraging readers to critically examine the traditions they have accepted as "Christian" and to consider a more biblically rooted and authentic expression of faith. While the authors' views may be controversial to some, their book provides a fresh perspective on the origins and purpose of various Christian practices..
Reviews for "Understanding the Evolution of Christian Beliefs: A Review of "Pagan Christianity"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Pagan Christianity" to be a rather misleading title. Instead of providing a balanced examination of the history and origins of Christian traditions, the book seemed to have an agenda to dismantle and criticize established practices without offering any viable alternatives. While there were some valid points raised regarding the potential pagan influence on certain rituals, the overall tone was one of condemnation rather than constructive discussion. I was disappointed by the lack of depth and the one-sided arguments presented in the book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Pagan Christianity" was highly recommended to me, but I was extremely disappointed with its contents. The book seemed to cherry-pick historical facts to support the author's already established biases, making it feel more like a religious propaganda than a scholarly investigation. I was expecting a thoughtful and thought-provoking analysis, but instead, I found sweeping generalizations and a lack of nuance. The arguments presented lacked depth and were often oversimplified, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a balanced perspective on the topic.
3. James - 2 stars - I approached "Pagan Christianity" with an open mind, hoping to gain insight into the historical development of Christian traditions. However, I was disappointed by the book's strong bias against traditional practices without providing sufficient evidence or alternative perspectives. While there were some interesting points raised, the author's dismissive tone and lack of scholarly rigor made it difficult to take the claims seriously. If you're looking for a thought-provoking and well-researched exploration of the subject, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
4. Emily - 1 star - "Pagan Christianity" had an intriguing premise, but I found the execution to be highly unconvincing. The author's arguments against mainstream Christian practices lacked nuance and failed to consider the cultural and historical context in which they developed. The book seemed more interested in sensationalism and shock value than in providing a well-rounded analysis. I was hoping for a balanced exploration of the subject, but all I found were sweeping generalizations and thinly veiled biases. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thoughtful and credible examination of Christian traditions.