|
| 
 enlarge | Authors: Frank Viola, George Barna
Publisher: BarnaBooks
Category: Book
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $12.12
You Save: $5.87 (33%)
New (28) Used (6) from $11.34
Avg. Customer Rating:  229 reviews
Sales Rank: 2093
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.6 x 1.2
ISBN: 141431485X
Dewey Decimal Number: 262.0017
EAN: 9781414314853
ASIN: 141431485X
Publication Date: January 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Pagan Christianity?!! December 22, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I wish I would have had this book 11 years ago when I first left the institutional church. It would have given me so much more confidence in knowing that I was doing the right thing in leaving the "go to church" lifestyle. In "Pagan Christianity" Frank Viola explains what he discovered through researching the history of Christianity, exposing the pagan roots of many of our traditions and rituals. This book gets to the root(s) of the problems modern day Christianity struggles with and suffers from today. If we want to have something different, we need to do something different. If you are tired of the same old, same old...if you are discontented with the status quo "go to church" lifestyle, feeling like something isn't right, and that there must be MORE... read this book. We need to know first what not to do, what rituals and traditions we can (& should) do without. "Pagan Christianity" makes that plain and clear. Then I suggest, and highly recommend that you go on to read "Reimagining Church", as well, because it is "the rest of the story". It answers the question "So, where do we go from here?". We want to keep our hearts open to the Lord to learn what it is He would have us do differently and how. Frank Viola's books are very insightful and encouraging for those who desire to experience organic life with Jesus Christ and His Body, The Church.
Pagan Christianity December 20, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book really opened up my eyes to the truth of how most of what we do "at church" doesn't line up with the N.T. God has used this book and Frank Viola in a powerful way and I don't think I'll ever be the same again. I encourage all to read this book, but be careful because God may use it to forever change your view of how "Church is done."
to those who find fault... December 18, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've come across a lot of people that like to argue against this book, but haven't really read it. They're just basing their argument on what someone else has said... that probably hasn't read it! Explaining the principles of this book to fellow believers, even to those who are friendly to gathering outside a traditional setting, is never usually embraced with open arms. The truth of this book is so sharp, it will divide the soul and spirit (not a painless process). As humans, we are programmed to fight or flight when our lives are in danger, but as Christians, we are called to be living sacrifices. Something has to die, and for our lives in Christ to be fruitful, it always has to be our picture. I think one of the main reasons people nearly get offended by this book is because they prefer their picture to God's reality.
Bottom line: If you don't agree with this book, you haven't really read it.
If you did read it, and feel like your "picture" is threatened, it did it's job.
A Must Read for Truth Seekers! December 17, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
While searching to understand the failing condition of America, a notice concerning Pagan Christianity popped up in my email inbox. I began to investigate. After listening to an interview with the authors, God confirmed in my spirit that I should read their book and I did. Then I ordered more than ten copies for my friends including the top five books Frank personally recommended. God is asking the church to reexamine its operational presuppositions! Will you study these issues? I am!
Frank Viola's and George Barna's efforts reflect real courage. Give honor to whom honor is due! Before reading this work one must ask himself: Does my love for the Truth end where my flesh desires to protect my religion? God is clearly behind their work!
In collaboration with the Director of Church Education And Reform, we've concluded that the material presented in this book needs to be personally studied and acted upon.
C. Stevens
 A cynical offering by a once-great church theorist December 16, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
We associate George Barna with sociological studies about Christian faith and culture, intended to help pastors and churches be more effective. This book is something very, very different. In Pagan Christianity Barna and Frank Viola analyze contemporary worship and practice in an attempt to show how much paganism it has absorbed in 2000 years. Not everything here will be new to you; we have long known that Christianity, particularly our worship, picked up quite a few cultural artifacts along the way. But are those fatal to the faith? One can't help but think of Hisslop's The Two Babylons, and the highly doubtful thesis that every smidgen of extra-Christian, extra-Protestant influence adheres to the church and hopelessly contaminates current Christian practice. Pagan Christianity comes across as negative and slightly scolding, which is especially sad because it is under the byline of someone who has been the champion of innovative church leadership. The authors' point seems to be that the only legitimate Biblical expression of our faith will be Acts-style pastorless house churches. The rest of us are going about it all wrong. I'm not sure Pagan Christianity contributes much toward helping us to get it right.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
