i found one other thread here with reference to him at:
http://www.christianforums.com/t167073-covering.html
so i suppose his issues are not a big deal here......
i recently finished the book and am curious if others have read him.
Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Chruch Practices
Frank Viola
The objective of the book, which is just part of a 5 volume series, is to convince people that the traditional Christian church's practices are of Greek and pagan origin and ought to be immediately discarded and the 1st Century church re-established.
It is part of restorationist literature, which has a long and interesting history. (the other pessimistic model of church history is remnant) What makes this book a good entry in the argument is the passion with which the author argues and the wide ranging sources he avails himself of. I intend to follow up on several of the references presented in the footnotes, which alone raise this book above most of its ilk. Which are usually unreferenced diatribes, this is much better than those denominational defenses against the world.
What is lacking is a systematic review of the process of syncretism, in fact i don't believe he even uses this word to describe what is the process he is discussing. The other glaring deficiency is an explanation of why church history is not progressive, why a restoration of 1st century practices is desirable for today, simply put, why is this normative and not just illustrative or even prelude. These are two really big issues that the book is just silent about, and why i rated it as unpersuasive. These are the two major issues in the discussion: syncretism and nature of church history. It is a glaring omission (the reason i rated the book a 3 rather than a 4) not to address these.
What is interesting is that i agree with most of his conclusions, but not for the reasons he presents, although the reasons are interesting and i am glad to have been exposed to them. Although the book will only be persuasive to the choir and other true believers it potentially will be unsettling to those with only a little awareness of church history. Because the fundamental problem of syncretism is enormous and really needs to be dealt with in the church. Perhaps books like this and the house church movement will ignite a discussion, but one from first priniciples not just an emotional appeal.
Should the church build huge church buildings? no, but the reasons are not as simple as because cathedrals were built like roman temples over the sites of pagan rituals and that the 1stC Christians met in homes not specially constructed buildings. This is the opposite of the 'history is always progressive' ideal, and it is just as wrong.
it is a nice, easy to read, fun book. if i can find other of his books on the cheap i will read them, (ie i will remember his name while searching thrift shops shelves), but i am not moved to order them immediately and at full price because of what i read here. However i would certainly make the time to meet the man and listen to him speak, perhaps this is the long term effect of the book, he is interesting and his something important to say.
http://www.christianforums.com/t167073-covering.html
so i suppose his issues are not a big deal here......
i recently finished the book and am curious if others have read him.
Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Chruch Practices
Frank Viola
The objective of the book, which is just part of a 5 volume series, is to convince people that the traditional Christian church's practices are of Greek and pagan origin and ought to be immediately discarded and the 1st Century church re-established.
It is part of restorationist literature, which has a long and interesting history. (the other pessimistic model of church history is remnant) What makes this book a good entry in the argument is the passion with which the author argues and the wide ranging sources he avails himself of. I intend to follow up on several of the references presented in the footnotes, which alone raise this book above most of its ilk. Which are usually unreferenced diatribes, this is much better than those denominational defenses against the world.
What is lacking is a systematic review of the process of syncretism, in fact i don't believe he even uses this word to describe what is the process he is discussing. The other glaring deficiency is an explanation of why church history is not progressive, why a restoration of 1st century practices is desirable for today, simply put, why is this normative and not just illustrative or even prelude. These are two really big issues that the book is just silent about, and why i rated it as unpersuasive. These are the two major issues in the discussion: syncretism and nature of church history. It is a glaring omission (the reason i rated the book a 3 rather than a 4) not to address these.
What is interesting is that i agree with most of his conclusions, but not for the reasons he presents, although the reasons are interesting and i am glad to have been exposed to them. Although the book will only be persuasive to the choir and other true believers it potentially will be unsettling to those with only a little awareness of church history. Because the fundamental problem of syncretism is enormous and really needs to be dealt with in the church. Perhaps books like this and the house church movement will ignite a discussion, but one from first priniciples not just an emotional appeal.
Should the church build huge church buildings? no, but the reasons are not as simple as because cathedrals were built like roman temples over the sites of pagan rituals and that the 1stC Christians met in homes not specially constructed buildings. This is the opposite of the 'history is always progressive' ideal, and it is just as wrong.
it is a nice, easy to read, fun book. if i can find other of his books on the cheap i will read them, (ie i will remember his name while searching thrift shops shelves), but i am not moved to order them immediately and at full price because of what i read here. However i would certainly make the time to meet the man and listen to him speak, perhaps this is the long term effect of the book, he is interesting and his something important to say.
