This satirical video makes light of the many negative and condemning reviews of the book “Pagan Christianity?” (authors: Frank Viola and George Barna, Publisher: Tyndale) by reactionary people who have not even taken the time to read it!
I think the sad part is that many of us in the evangelical world are perceived to be reactionaries – and justly so – for extreme examples like this. It really irritates me and gives us all a bad name.
Weep and Enjoy!
Frank and George open up this first official chapter of the book Pagan Christianity? with a story which reminds me of the way Patrick Lencioni writes his books. The fictional story style pulls you in and gives you a more or less “real life” scenario to relate to as the main idea is introduced. Their story is of a typical Christian family and how they bicker, fight and get on each others nerves as they get ready to “go to church.” Then, once at “the church” they put on a different persona as if nothing is wrong, and go through the motions of being a “perfect” family. The husband/father named Winchester, starts thinking about all this during the sermon and then wonders if the pastor ever has a morning like his. Pastor Farley passionately claims in his sermon that “their church does everything by the book!” Yet Winchester sits and wonders if the Bible ever mentioned that people should dress up for church. This train of thought just snowballs into many other questions like: Why do my kids hate Sunday School? Why do we go through the same predictable ritual every Sunday morning? Why do I wear this uncomfortable necktie every Sunday morning when all it does is cut off blood circulation?
Coming out of the story, the authors state that:
“As startling as it may sound, almost everything that is done in our contemporary churches has no basis in the Bible.” And that “precious little… maps to anything found in the first century church.”
Questions We Never Think To Ask
It was the Greek philosopher Socrates (470-399 BC) who invented the Socratic method also known as the dialectic. He believed that truth is found by dialoguing and relentlessly questioning a particular issue. It was his habit of doing this – especially of long held traditions – that eventually got him killed for “corrupting the youth” of Athens. He was not alone. Many others have given their lives for similar reasons including Isaiah, John the Baptist and Jesus. Many thousands more have been martyred over the centuries for asking hard questions in pursuit of truth.
Christians today are typically encouraged by our leaders to believe, think and behave in certain ways. We are encouraged to read our Bibles, but usually through a particular lens of tradition (Baptist, Reformed, charismatic, etc.). We are taught to never challenge those traditional teachings, or if we do, to run the risk of being labeled heretics, be shunned from leadership or membership, or be accused of fomenting disunity, and leading God’s people astray. (I Randy, have personally seen and experienced some of this over the years.)
However, at this point in the chapter, Viola and Barna issue an amazing statement to all those who feel their rebellious spirits (including mine) rising to the surface. “We do not stand with you. Our advice: Either leave your church quietly, refusing to cause division, or be at peace with it. There is a vast gulf between rebellion and taking a stand for what is true.”
Instead, the authors invite the reader to ask the tough questions about why we do the things we do, and to discover where those traditions came from. Most Christians that claim to know The Book, and order their lives by it, have have never really explored this topic, and are not conscious of the non-biblical roots of many things that are often passed off as “Christian.”
A Terrifying Invitation
So, Viola and Barna invite the reader to the “untrodden path.” The path of asking tough questions. They claim that as you read their book, you will be surprised at how little of our modern ideas and practices of doing church are actually from Jesus, the Apostles or the Scriptures. Most of it was lifted right out of pagan culture. We think of pagans today as those who practice no religion at all, but the early Christians understood them to be polytheists, who followed the gods of the Romans. It was this brand of paganism that dominated the world at the time of Christ and into the 4th century, during which many of its elements were absorbed by the church. Two other periods stand out as times of great influence on our current church practices: The Reformation, and the Revivalist era in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In this book, chapters 2 – 10 will each trace a currently and widely accepted church practice. Not only will each chapter reveal where the practice originated, but more importantly, how it hampers the healthy functioning of Christ’s body (the church) today.
“Warning: If you are unwilling to have your Christianity seriously examined, do not read beyond this page. Give this book to Goodwill immediately! Spare yourself the trouble of having your Christian life turned upside down.”
The authors rephrase this warning in a couple more ways. If you are in the institutional church, this book may lead to a crisis of conscience. If you tend to resonate with Christian experience outside the institutional church, you may be encouraged as you discover that history and Scripture may stand with you more than you knew.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
As you know by now, if you are reading this blog… I took the challenge and plunged ahead with the rest of the book. I would have to say that I am at heart more of a rebel, and tend toward a questioning and analytical mind. This is why I ended up outside the institutional church in a “house church” during the 1970′s and into the 80′s. This is where I first experienced and came to appreciate “body life,” “small groups” and “contemporary worship.” I have often reflected on the events that lead to this development in my life, and can see how God used it to draw me to Himself. Otherwise, I fear that I was headed toward a rejection of Christianity and the church due to some very negative experiences I had witnessed within it.
After marriage we ended up at a small urban church (without a building) for a number of years, and then we migrated back into the more institutional church as our kids got older. We have been fairly happy in it for over 10 years. However, in the last couple of years I have sensed a new restlessness and dissatisfaction with some of the negative sides of it. Change is so very hard, long and difficult. The typical hierarchies of leadership I have seen to be unhealthy and damaging to people. It is very difficult to foster a new vision for being the church in a community that needs the church to be all that God intended. I am worn out with all the programs and activities required for involvement.
And so, given these inner urgings, this book is tapping into my roots and the experiences I once had in a more organic and non-institutional church setting. It is igniting a hunger and a fire to regain what has been lost, and to reshape it within the urban culture I find myself in at the beginning of the 21st century.
It was Francis Schaeffer who said that,
“Each generation of the church in each setting has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms, considering the language and thought-forms of that setting.”
I believe this why the book Pagan Christianity? is so important. It raises the foundational questions and issues that the church must face if it is to communicate the gospel in the language and thought forms of current post-modern and post-Christian America. All we need do is look at Europe, the birthplace of the Reformation, to see what will happen if we don’t.
Helping to lead “contemporary worship” in a 1973 house church
“There is perhaps nothing worse than reaching the top of the ladder and discovering that you’re on the wrong wall” — Joseph Campbell, 20th Century American Writer
Following the book’s Preface by Frank Viola, co-author George Barna offers an Introduction entitled, “What Happened to the Church?” Barna opens his remarks by pointing out the trend we have observed in recent Christendom, with the large movements of believers going back to older approaches to the faith. This “revolution of faith” is borne out of a deepening desire especially among the young, to experience their Christian faith with more authenticity and fullness. We need not question the heart of these revolutionaries because there is ample research to show that they are genuinely seeking more of God. Their passion and ardor is real. They are tired of the institutions, denominations, and other religious forms that keep getting in the way of their connecting with Him. They are worn out by endless programs, assignments, and simplistic practices that do not draw them into God’s presence. “They can no longer endure the spiritual teasing offered by churches and well-intentioned ministries. God is waiting for them. They want Him. No more excuses.”
Those involved in this movement know what they are shifting away from, but what are they moving toward? House churches, market-place ministries, cyber-churches, independent community-wide worship gatherings, intentional communities are among the various forms being entered into. But, Barna asks, do these forms “really represent a meaningful step toward God’s highest purpose?” “Are we living in a culture that is so infatuated with change that we have forgotten that the church is about transformation, not mere change?”
There is much to be learned along these lines from the history of God’s people. But, how well do modern believers understand that history? According to Barna, “precious little,” and this is a big problem! Even though history warns us that when we don’t pay attention, we are doomed to repeat the past, we “often persist in our well-intentioned but ignorant efforts to refine life.”
Recent history of the church in America is a great example. Pick a trend: mega churches, seeker churches, affinity group ministries, vacation Bible School, multi-site churches, downloadable sermons, podcasting, big-screen projection systems, and many more… all are merely marketing strategies designed to cater to the tastes and preferences of segments of the population. “Whatever difficulties were present in the larger institutional setting that spawned these efforts are invariably present in the smaller or divergent efforts as well.”
[NOTE: Again, I am reminded of the recent Reveal Survey at Willowcreek Church that revealed just how little spiritual transformation was taking place in spite of all the money, energy and focus spent on catering to "seekers."]
“This book,” states Barna, “will challenge you to consider making more significant changes in the way you practice your faith.” History shows that when revolutionaries suggest making significant changes to the way things are done, or they start thinking outside the box, cries of “heretic” are often heard. Such protests are all too often due to the underlying ignorance about the true foundations and origins of the practices in our faith. We hear statements like, “All we need is to get back to the basics and preach the Word!” or, “That idea is the worst idea I’ve heard in a long time!” I believe that such outbursts not only crush the spirit of those seeking the heart of God through new solutions, but they may also be quenching the Holy Spirit who often reveals his will to us through the conversations, thinking and healthy open dialog of His people.
“Rather than foster continued resistance to methodological innovations, it’s time that the body of Christ get in touch with the Word of God and the history of the church to arrive at a better understanding of what we can and should do – as well as what we cannot and should not do.”
This book is intended to reveal how so many of our current “by the book” practices actually have no foundation in Scripture:
The author notes that there were three historical periods where most of our current traditions came from: The era of Constantine, The Protestant Reformation, and the Revivalist periods in the 18th and 19th centuries. This book will reveal how these changes were the result of passionate, often ill-informed believers, who went along for the ride without questioning the biblical basis of what their leaders were doing. Once these changes became accepted over time, and experienced as the norm, the church has become adept at “Proof-texting” to “prove” how these positions square with the Bible. This practice of lifting disparate, unrelated verses out of context, can be used to literally prove just about anything, and we evangelicals have become really good at it.
“The preponderance of evidence shows that these perspectives, rules, traditions, expectations, assumptions, and practices often hinder the development of our faith. In other instances, they serve as barriers that keep us from encountering the living God. The way we practice our faith can, indeed, affect the faith itself.”
Barna states that the book is not claiming that we need to go back and replicate the church in AD 30-60. He understands that social and cultural shifts prevent that. However, it is the core principles and ethos of the early church that we can learn from and adapt for our time and place. We need to learn to discern what things we can and need to adapt from our own culture, and how to avoid those that detract from it. “Caution is advisable as we strive to be the humble and obedient people who seek His central will.”
Barna likens the church to a jet airplane. Thousands of tiny course corrections are required to keep it on the flight plan and to enable it to arrive at the intended destination. Without careful ongoing course correction, a little change here, a slight nod there, and a barely perceptible tweak over there, can all add up to an entire enterprise being completely redefined!
Finally, healthy skepticism about what is presented in this book – if it leads to fact-finding and truth seeking – is encouraged! This matters greatly because the church is one of God’s deepest passions, and our lives are a gift from God, to be lived for God, in line with His plan and purpose. We need to be sure we are getting it right!
As I read through this Introduction again, and reflected on my own life, I again find myself resonating with these authors. I am part of that group who longs to taste something more of God, and I am not satisfied with my current experience in the institutional church. I have grown unconvinced that it can happen within the forms I have grown accustomed to. I am tired of all the programs and silliness that we go through, making everything so much more complicated than it needs to be. I don’t need another meeting, seminar, class, service or committee to attend. I don’t need fancy technology, lush surroundings, candles or even my preferred style of music (In fact, I would really enjoy some silence!). I want to experience God and know that I have met Him!
I have a sneaking suspicion that I have been way to busy and noisy and have been drowning out what the Spirit wants to say. I sense that I have been quenching Him, and focused on my agenda, my tastes, my perspective, my preferences. It’s been all about me.
I find myself dreaming about how refreshing it would be to gather with some believers around a dining room table, enjoy a meal together, including “communion”, hear some authentic sharing from real life about how God is working and moving, sing a song, a hymn or listen to a poem someone wrote, hear a testimony, discuss a book (maybe this one?) or spend some time in intense prayer, and some time in silence, just listening to what the Spirit wants to say. I want THAT. I really do.
Then, I find myself wondering what would happen if small groups of believers started doing this across our community? Even as people from different churches! Do you think the Lord would give us a new vision on how He wants to reach our community? I think He might. I think we might find out that He’s been trying to tell us this for a long time.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — George Santayana, 20th-century Spanish Philosopher and Poet
“Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” — Jesus Christ in Matthew 15:3, NASB
Frank Viola, one of the co-authors of this book wrote the preface. In it he first points out that when Jesus walked the earth, there were two leading religious parties of the day: The Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees made the error of “adding to Scripture” hundreds and hundreds of rules and regulations, which became known as the “tradition of the elders.” The Sadducees made the opposite error by denying or taking away from Scripture. They believed that only the first 5 books of the law (Torah) by Moses were binding, and denied spirits, angels, the soul, life after death and the resurrection.
He points out that no wonder both groups opposed Jesus when he spoke with greater authority and made claims that did not fit with either camp. In fact, he irritated them both so much, they conspired to have him killed. Viola then claims that history is repeating itself as contemporary Christians fall into the same two errors today. We have added traditions that have “suppressed the living, breathing, functional headship of Jesus Christ in His church.” And, we have removed many of the practices of the first century church from our landscape. “We break the Scripture just as much by burying it under a mountain of human tradition as by ignoring its principles.”
Where should we find the model for the practices in our Christian life?
Viola asks if the answer isn’t found in the life of Jesus Christ as portrayed in the New Testament? Few Christians would dispute this. “Jesus Christ is the Christian life.” And when he rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven he gave birth to the church, which was essentially himself in a different form… “the body of Christ.” So, argues Viola, the fist century church was the church in its purest (although not perfect) form.
He describes that church as an organic entity. “It was a living, breathing organism that expressed itself far differently from the institutional church of today.” Jesus Christ chose to reveal himself to the world through “His every-member functioning body.”
BOOK INTENTION #1: “In this book, we intend to show how that organism was devoid of so many things that we embrace today.”
The practices of the first century church were the natural outgrowth of the early Christians being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, grounded in the timeless principles and teachings of the New Testament. However, as we dig deeper into the differences and conflicts we experience in the church today, we are compelled to ask, “Where did our contemporary practices come from anyway? The answer claims Viola, is disturbing, because he claims, most are borrowed from pagan culture! Many of us will find that to be a disturbing and shocking assertion!
BOOK INTENTION #2: “But it is an unmovable, historical fact, as this book will demonstrate.”
The book will argue on theological, historical and pragmatic grounds that “the first-century church best represents the dream of God… and how the life of God is expressed when a group of people begin to live by it together.”
Frank shares that his own experience with organic churches confirms this finding. He defines an organic church as “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-lead, open-participatory meetings and nonhierarchical leadership. This is in stark contrast to a clergy-lead, institution-driven church.”
Viola allows that there will always be variations in the church due to time, culture and place, but that organic churches do not produce the non-scriptural practices addressed in this book. Viola claims that the church has picked up practices from their pagan neighbors as far back as the 4th century, and over time we have embraced, “baptized” and called them “Christian.” He claims that this is why the church is in the state it is today, hampered by divisions, power struggles, passivity, and the lack of spiritual transformation among the people of God.
[Note: This statement reminds me of the recent hooplah over the results of the Willowcreek Church "Reveal" survey that found how little spiritual transformation was actually occurring in their model of doing church. They are to be commended for admitting it, but they are not alone!]
BOOK INTENTION #3: “In short, this book is dedicated to exposing the traditions that have been tacked onto God’s will for his church. Our reason is simple: We are asking to remove a great deal of debris in order to make room for the Lord Jesus Christ to be the fully functioning head of His church. We are making an outrageous proposal: that the church in its contemporary, institutional form has neither a biblical nor a historical right to function as it does. This proposal, of course, is our conviction based upon the historical evidence that we shall present in this book. You must decide if that proposal is valid or not.”
The book is written in plain English to encourage as many people as who may to read it. Although not a scholarly work, it is heavily footnoted and source referenced to allow reflective Christians a way to verify their statements and do further study.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
After having read the book, and coming back now to read this Preface, I’d have to say that the authors intentions and goals stated above were very persuasive to me. This should not be surprising to many who know me and my background. I was once a member of an organic church that met in DuPage county in the 1970′s and 80′s. I followed that experience with a long stretch at a small, multi-cultural urban church in Chicago. Neither church had a building, and we mostly met in homes. So, I feel that I also have experienced some of what the authors describe the church as it ought to be in this book. I also know and have experienced how hard being an organic church is.
Even so, this book has succeeded in re-igniting a deep hunger in me, to experience it again. I feel as though I have awakened from a long slumber of settling for second best. I am tired of the trappings of the institutional church, and the damage that it can have on me and others that I know. I fear how irrelevant it is becoming to an entire generation, and look with horror at what has happened to the church in Europe, the birthplace of the Reformation. I want to break free of it and pursue the supremacy of Jesus Christ for my life and the power of the Holy Spirit in a new way. I desire a new vision for what it means for me to be “in Christ” and a gifted, functioning member of the body of Christ. I dream of a powerful, life changing church that can serve and transform the culture around it. I sense that God is using this book to help me in a process of discovering what that new adventure will be.
Perhaps God wants to do something similar in your life? I’d love to know if you sense that too!