Pagan Christianity, by Frank Viola and George Barna

We've all heard Christian leaders proclaim, "At our church, we only do what the Bible says." The irony is that they say it from pulpits that themselves find no basis in the Bible and in church buildings that have more to do with pagan cultures of the past than biblical roots.

If you really begin to examine many of the key elements of the Christian faith as we practice it, you'll find little or no biblical basis for them. In their book Pagan Christianity, authors Viola and Barna address the laundry list of Christian practices with a dubious biblical origin, including the sermon, the pastor, ministers of music, and tithing.

The authors make what they is "An outrageous proposal: that the church in its contemporary, institutional form has neither a biblical nor a historical right to function as it does."

Pagan Christianity is a book we need to read, if only to detox from a lot of paradigms we've inherited and never questioned. The first review on Amazon says, "May very well be the most important book written on the Christian church in the last two millennia." I think the guy is right. The research is thorough, and the inquiry is honest. The reviewer concludes, "I know how hard this read will be for many people, especially clergy members. Pagan Christianity will, no doubt, be a most uncomfortable read for all those who believe the Body of Christ is an institution. For the clergy member, the read will almost be impossible. At every turn of the page... the flesh will flare up..."

Most of the 59 Amazon reviews agree with the first reviewer. And many of them found the conclusions quite liberating. Hebrews 10:25 calls us to meet together for the purpose of encouragement. If you're not finding yourself encouraged at your church, read this book and go join a church where that does happen.