An hysterical answer to Viola & Barna’s critics March 29, 2008
Posted by Zack in , trackbackOh, this is great!
Frank Viola and George Barna have written a fascinating book called Pagan Christianity. It basically goes through and shows how nearly every practice of the modern church has nothing to do with Christianity, and in many cases conflicts with the aims of Jesus and the early Christian movement. We all know how Christmas trees and the Easter Bunny were borrowed from Pagan cultures. But that’s not what concerns Viola and Barna. They’re talking about things like pews and the “order of worship,” things that, in their view pull church away from true worship and community.
So they may have laid it on a little thick. And maybe they could have been a little more gentle. I don’t know. But there have been a ton of angry reviews of the book, many by people who you’d think would agree with most of what Viola and Barna are saying.
I hope the publisher commissioned this excellent video. If they did, they’ve definitely got something wonderful going on in their marketing department.
Comments»
I read the original (w/o Barna’s input).
Does any one know how much this version differs from the original? Is it worth reading the new one?
Great video, btw.
the reason that evangelicalism and protestantism isnt believed in so much as it was,is it doesnt believe or understand and practise the truths written in the word of God. many say that these faiths are dieing.I believe that is the reason why…for instance the sevent day Sabbath command is not obeyed,and keeping the seven annual Holy Days nthat the church of God kept even after Christ was crucified and resurrected(Christ also kept them all)Christ said that not one jot or line from the law would pass away,while heaven and earth still exist,Matt 5:17-19….one has to ask the question…which commandment do I consider the least??The Catholics dont like quite a few of them,the 4th,especially,though they do acknowledge it as a scriptural command,but put the primacy of the pope ahead of the primacy of Christ,and put there traditions ahead of the word of AlmightyGod.What did Christ say about the traditions of men?matt 15:2-9…So by not following the direct commandments of God,the protestant churches and evangelical churches left themeselves vulnerable to attack from satan and his ministers of confusion.They claim the bible as the true words of God but pick and choose what they want to obey,this is compromising the truth.God will not bless that kind of nominal faith.Some call the Kingdom of God a metaphor,but it will be a literal kingdom,onthe earth,headed by Christ and those saints resurectted at His second coming,which cant be all that far off.The saints will reign with Christ and be where He is forever into the ages of eternity.By the way,since Christ is going to reign on the earth,why would the saints want to be in heaven as many preach they will?
It’s better than the original. I think there’s like 30 or 40 more pages and each chapter has questions and answers. George Barna wrote a few chapters too and his research is added. I also thought it read better than the first one.
Thanks Jennifer.