Pagan Christianity

By: Frank Viola

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, choirs, and seminaries? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles.

Coauthors Frank Viola and George Barna support their thesis with compelling historical evidence in the first-ever book to document the full story of modern Christian church practices. Many Christians take for granted that their churchs practices are rooted in Scripture. Yet those practices look very different from those of the first-century church. The New Testament is not silent on how the early church freely expressed the reality of Christs indwelling in ways that rocked the first-century world.Times have changed.

Pagan Christianity leads us on a fascinating tour through church history, revealing this startling and unsettling truth: Many cherished church traditions embraced today originated not out of the New Testament, but out of pagan practices. One of the most troubling outcomes has been the effect on average believers: turning them from living expressions of Christs glory and power to passive observers. If you want to see that trend reversed, turn to Pagan Christianity...a book that examines and challenges every aspect of our contemporary church experience.

©2008 Frank Viola and George Barna (P)2008 christianaudio.com

Fair Warning

Viola warms the way that you see Christianity and church practice may change after reading his book. He does not disappoint and delivers on his promise. Now that the "scales are peeled from my eyes" the guilt of feeling like not belonging in a modern-day church is gone. Praise be to Jesus who promises that the gates of hell not being able to prevail over His church!

Life Changing

This book is life changing. It takes you from being a Reformed Catholic (Protestant) into becoming a Christian. Take the Journey!

Outstanding Research

I have a couple of Frank Viola books that are outstanding and therefore are part of my library. He introduced this book by stating it would be shocking; that was a true statement. Upon listening to research after research of the historical church and the historical leaders, I was amazed, angry, and didappointed at seeing how man can manipulate his agenda to his benefit for obvious gain.

True Christians should read this book and take action to revisit current traditions and prayerfully consider getting back to basics.

Stay the course

I enjoyed reading the book and I could not help laughing at myself for so many of the things mentioned and as they totally beamed a light to my belief and way of doing certain things. Truly I am grateful that the author wrote this book with all the citations so that one could go back and verify. In response to what has been discussed I am glad that the many things we as body of Christ have struggled with , if we choose to have the Spirit change then we will be an organic church. I like that the author does not seem to suggest for the reader this is what you need to do and how you need to, otherwise it would have turned out to be another manual. Thank you for your great penmanship

Eye opening!! Must read for all Christians!!!

This book explains the history of how our modern church practices developed over time and how most of it is not biblical. It also lays out the pattern the New Testament established for the local body of believers and how Christ should be the complete head over all. This will make you rethink modern day organized church hierarchy and practice. You will long to be a part of a local church based on what was established by the early believers.

A must-read for Christians

This was a very informative and interesting read on the history of church traditions, practices and teaching. It may ruin your church experience in the best possible way.

Learning all the time!

This is one of the most profound reads since the actual Bible. Everything I thought I knew about church is wrong. Thank the Lord for this book!

Absolutely excellent

Would you listen to Pagan Christianity again? Why?

I have listened to it several times in the past week or so. I get more from it every time I listen to it

What did you like best about this story?

eye opening

What about Lloyd James’s performance did you like?

very well read

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book confirmed many of the things that I have been thinking about over the past several years.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best books I have read or listened to in years.

A look at how worship and community came to be

I loved it! The best explanation about how worship and community has evolved over the centuries. Starting with the first century church right up to the present the author provides a detailed account of the evolution of worship in the church. If you want to better understand the journey to where we are today. It is a must read.

Ready for change

This book is a must read for every Christian. It is a challenging call to abandon our sacred cows, step into the true message of the gospel and the true function of the church. If your hungry, knowing deep within your soul that there is more to this life with Christ, then I urge you to prayerfully read this book.