Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Frank Viola, George Barna

BarnaBooks, 2008 - Religion - 295 pages

Sorting out truth from tradition

Many Christians take for granted that their church's 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 Christ's 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 Christ's 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.

About the author

George Barna is the president and founder of Barna Research Group. Barna has developed seminars for clients such as The Billy Graham Association, Campus Crusade for Christ, and The Prison Fellowship. His other clients include Prudential, Sothwestern Bell, The Walt Disney Company, and Visa USA. He has also served as a pastor of a southern California church. Barna has written many books on the church and culture including The Habits of Highly Effective Churches, User Friendly Churches, and Marketing the Church. His work has been quoted in Newsweek, Time, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
• Authors: Frank Viola, George Barna
• Edition: revised
• Publisher: BarnaBooks, 2008
• ISBN: 141431485X, 9781414314853
• Length: 295 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Biblical Criticism & Interpretation / New Testament; Religion / Christian Church / General; Religion / Christian Church / History; Religion / Christian Rituals & Practice / General; Religion / Christian Theology / Ecclesiology; Religion / Christian Theology / General; Religion / Christianity / History