I began reading Pagan Christianity by George Barna and Frank Viola, after a leader stated it had affected the way they were viewing the church. Their reading the book was impacting how they were operating within traditional circles.
I have read many books by George Barna over the years. Many have challenged me to be more innovative or to work toward change within the church, but none had significantly affected the way I viewed the church. My interest was peaked.
Upon beginning to read the book, it was quickly apparent that George Barna had added his name to a book that clearly had an agenda. (Frank Viola has published the same book under the same title in the past) Frank Viola is a proponent of the Organic Church (house church movement). His desire is for the church to function under an ecclesiology based on 1 Corinthians 14. Simply stated:
An organic church is simply a church that is born out of spiritual life instead of constructed by human institutions and held together by religious programs. Organic churches are characterized by Spirit-led, open-participatory meetings and nonhierarchical leadership. This is a stark contrast to a clergy-led institution-driven church (Quote from Trevin Wax book review)
Pagan Christianity is a open assault on western Christianity and seeks to identify most forms and functions in the church as pagan and unbiblical. It is filled with historical quotes and facts from early Christianity that seek to accomplish one purpose, to convince the reader that everything in the church is pagan and move them toward an Organic church model. Trevin Wax has written a great review on the book that is a worthy read. Click below:
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