Since I am writing The Book, I would have you know that it is just not words that I enjoy writing down, yet also where the rubber meets the road. Here is one that I have read. Tell me what you think!
I read the first edition of ‘Pagan Christianity?’ several years ago on a recommendation of a long time colleague, friend and biz partner finding the information interesting and answering some long time Qs for myself.
Frank wrote then with what appeared to be a hatchet, tho I found it hard to disagree with him on many issues.
Reading this the 2008 edition now with a co-author, George Barna, it is less antagonistic, yet with no holds barred showing no Scriptural basis for they way we all hold Church today. It still maintains the Frank Viola flavor, though having never read Mr. Barna, I do not know if I would recognize his contributions.
My friend ‘Down Under’ who introduced me to Frank Viola, Gave me a ‘Heads Up’ that Frank and his current edition was drawing some fire, even to the point of rumors of ‘Book Burning’ in the air!
Frank begins with the premise that our church services today do not resemble what first century assembles looked like recorded in the New Testament. I have to say that with only three decades of partaking of Traditional Church and being extremely active in the service of the same most of that time, I had my questions about what went on. No doubt, a majority of my inquiry to what was going on was a reflection of my character. e.g I questioned why there was a need to turn down the lights for a time of waiting for The Spirit to move. I would respond with, “I thought we were ‘Children Of Light!”
Although I maintain that there is not preacher and/or theologian that I will agree with down the line, yet Frank comes closest to having a similar perspective. Nevertheless, I will endeavor to give an un-biased review.
The documentation is scholarly and no doubt abridged from a complete work, yet enough information submitted to slow me down from a fast read. Some pages made up with half in footnotes!
To be honest, even though the word pagan is part of the title, the over use becomes depreciative in itself to those church practices that are the issue of discussion. Some times where it is used is not applicable.
Chapter Two is the issue of the Church Building and today’s believers having a fixation even need for the structure itself. Emphasis is made on the word Church meaning the building itself. Referring to the meaning of the original word in the Greek being ekklesia meaning a group assembled. From there to building on those assemblies held in homes that through the centuries found them selves in Cathedrals.
Time and words describing the development of Holy Places and things that became important parts of these magnificent edifices. Then to Constantine Whether he was, a Christian has been the subject of many discourses over the centuries, giving legitimacy to the Christians along with promoting and funding these grand displays of architecture.
A lot of history is on review as the Eucharist, clothing, music, architecture, thrones, steeples, even the pulpit, pews and balcony, borrowed from the cultures and customs through those centuries to today.
Chapter Three brings us to the order of Worship with Sunday mornings set in concrete of Tradition. Frank points out that the standard order is held in the same way in all of the churches today with only minute differences. Viola writes,
You can scour your Bible from beginning to end, and you will never find anything that remotely resembles our order of worship.
He then goes on and describes the contributions to that order made by an impressive group of historical Church leaders. He includes well-known personalities, as Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and company, the Puritans, D. L. Moody, and the Pentecostals.
Chapter Four and we come to “The Sermon”, he dubs ‘Protestantism’s Most Sacred Cow!’ Granting that people preached all through the Bible, yet he contends, not like it is done today giving a thorough explanation of the differences. Naming the contributors to the development and how sermonizing harms the assembly of believers. Frank then wraps it up with the focus of the early church not being the sermon, but the gathering and functioning of Christ’s Body Jesus being its Head.
Chapter Five Frank hones in on The Pastor and being the obstacle to every member functioning. The fundamental figure of The Protestant Church, the Pastor …
is often better known, more highly praised, and more heavily relied on than Jesus Christ Himself!
Pointing out that the word ‘Pastor’ is used one time, in Ephesians 4:11;
a scanty piece of evidence on which to hang the Protestant Faith. In this regard there seems to be more biblical authority for snake handling, (See Mark 16:18 and Acts 28:3-6) than there is for the present-day pastor.
Continuing to the word ‘Priest’ used three times in the New Testament and the same error The Catholic Church makes, with every reference to all Christians.
The word Pastor is a function not a title and Frank goes on to explain where the title came from. He takes you through Constantine, the Reformation, From Presbyter to Priest and then from Priest to pastor, in a detailed history, with all the ramifications.
Chapter Six and we have Sunday Morning Costumes. It is a brief Chapter on Dressing Up for Church and the why or why not to. Then describes the ‘what and why’ of Clergy Dress.
Chapter Seven and how the Music Ministry originates and another hierarchy of Clergy.
Chapter Eight speaks to Tithing and how it is not spelled out for Christians in the New Testament, Clergy Compensation and how both hurt the pocketbook. Giving is from the heart and many times not limited to ‘Just A Tithe’.
Chapter Nine and looking to The Diluting of The Sacraments, specifically Baptism and The Lord’s Supper. An explanation how “The Sinner’s Prayer’ Replaced Baptism employed only recently by D. L. Moody. The Lord’s Supper originated as a festive banquet alive and joyful and lost was the concrete picture of The Body and Blood, which developed into study, and debate of abstract and metaphysical thought.
Chapter Ten brings us to the Education and being the Qualification to Minister the Gospel with the Scriptural examples showed each one learning the essentials of Christian Ministry by living a shared life in the Body and being tutored by seasoned believers. Viola takes the tour through the Four Stages of Theological Education and Aquinas’s contributions and influence.
Chapter Eleven ‘Re-approaches’ the New Testament systematically with order and understanding from Viola’s Perspective and in Chapter Twelve is a second Glance at The Savior, introducing Jesus, The Revolutionary.
Frank finishes with an Afterword: The next Step, Final Thoughts: Q & A with Frank Viola and George Barna, Summary of Origins, Key Figures in Church History and Bibliography.
Again I have to say that it was not an easy and/or fast read for me. Many areas that I would not endorse one hundred percent, as I have found no one that I see eye to eye in all arenas, yet I recommend a thorough perusing, should you have any questions about the way Church is held today!
D. P. Gatten, D. Min. ©2008
