PAGAN CHRISTIANITY?:
EXPLORING THE RO0TS OF OUR CHURCH PRACTICES
FRANK VIOLA AND GEORGE BARNA,
BarnaBooks (January 2008), Hard Back, (336p)
ISBN-10: 141431485X
ISBN-13: 978-1414314853

In "Pagan Christianity," authors Frank Viola and George Barna embark on a monumental task of documenting the origin of our contemporary church practices. The authors postulate that contemporary Christianity has fallen into the errors of both the Pharisees and the Saducees, thereby repeating the same mistakes that the Jews made during Jesus' lifetime. They make the outrageous proposal: "The church in its contemporary, institutional form has neither a biblical nor a historical right to function as it does."

Each chapter in this book is modeled on the theory that the Early Church Fathers forsook New Testament teachings for the traditions of Rome and pagan (polytheists) religions; the powers of the day took over early Christianity and changed it to more closely match the political and religious systems of the day.

Chapters 2 through 10 each trace a traditional church practice that is accepted by today's church. Each chapter tells the story of where this practice came from, but more importantly, it explains how this practice stifles the practical headship of Jesus Christ and hampers the functioning of the members of His body.

Specific topics covered in the book are: church buildings, the ekklasia, the pulpit, the pew and balcony, the order of worship, the sermon, the pastor, religious costumes, the music director, tithing, paid professional clerics and staff, the youth director, Sunday school, baptism and the Lord's Supper, academic training for professional and lay church members, a new look at the structure of the New Testament, and the Jesus as The Revolutionary. Each of these topics have been thoroughly researched and documented.

One weakness in the book is its failure to discuss, in depth, the meaning of the Greek word ekklasia and how the English word "Church" got into the English Bible. "Church" is neither a translation nor a transliteration of the Greek word ekklasia: it is simply a politico-religious word that was inserted into the New Testament by the institutional Church of England that has become another tradition.

Is it appropriate for us to move away from God's plan for His church? Absolutely not. Is it acceptable to simply acknowledge that we have taken many wrong turns in the past without realigning with God's plan in the present? Of course not. One of the distinguishing marks of Christian's is their integrity. We demonstrate that integrity by following our Lord, regardless of what others do, just because He is Lord.

The school of Christ is none other than the community of the believers - the ekklasia of God. We learn Christ from one another and with one another in a loose-knit, shared-life community, where every member is free to share the Lord with their brothers and sisters, just as the first-century Christians did.

"Pagan Christianity" is a book less on a criticism of today's institutional church and more on a call for all Christians to return to their roots as defined by the New Testament and practiced by the early church. This is a must read that will allow readers to examine their understanding and practice of Christianity and to make changes that will ultimately lead to truth and freedom in Christ.

Jerold L. Reed
February 21, 2008