George Barna came out with a new book titled “Pagan Christianity.” I had the privilege of hearing him speak on two separate occasions and walked away challenged each time. In his new book, he researches many of today’s Christian practices and has found that not only are many of them unbiblical, but they can hinder people from finding Christ.
I haven’t read his book yet, but I plan on picking up a copy soon. Here’s some thoughts for you to consider from his book:
Church buildings were initially constructed under the Roman emperor Constantine, around 327. The early Christian church met in homes.
The pulpit was a piece of stagecraft borrowed from Greek culture in which professional speakers delivered monologues in public debates. There is no evidence that Jesus, the apostles, or other leaders in the early Church used a pulpit; it seems to have been introduced into Christian circles in the mid-third century.
The order of worship originated in the Roman Catholic Mass under the leadership of Pope Gregory in the sixth century.
Preaching a sermon to an audience was ushered into the church world late in the second century. Sermons were an extension of the activity of the Greek sophists, who had mastered the art of rhetorical oratory.
There were no pastors, as an official or director of a group of believers, until sometime in the second century. That was eventually furthered by the practice of ordination, which was based upon the prevailing Roman custom of appointing men to public office.
The biblical approach to “communion” or the “Lord’s Supper,” was truncated late in the second century from a full, festive communal meal without clergy officiating to the presently common habit of having a sip of wine and morsel of bread (or juice and a wafer) under the guidance of a recognized clergyman.
For more info., check out his web site.
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Tags: Church
August 1st, 2008 at 3:52 pm
The sequel to “Pagan Christianity?” is out now. It’s called “Reimagining Church”. It picks up where “Pagan Christianity” left off and continues the conversation. (“Pagan Christianity” was never meant to be a stand alone book; it’s part one of the conversation.) “Reimagining Church” is endorsed by Leonard Sweet, Shane Claiborne, Alan Hirsch, and many others. You can read a sample chapter at http://www.ReimaginingChurch.org. It’s also available on Amazon.com. Frank is also blogging now at http://frankviola.wordpress.com/
October 15th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I read “UNChristian” and I wasn’t thoroughly impressed… I think Kirby has this book and I’ll have to check it out. I’m more into audio books since I drive all over.