Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Frank Viola and George Barna examine the historical origins of common Protestant church practices, arguing that many rituals and structures are not derived from the New Testament but from later cultural and institutional developments. The authors trace the lineage of practices such as the division of the congregation into clergy and laity, the use of creeds, and specific liturgical forms, suggesting that these elements reflect post-biblical traditions rather than apostolic precedent.

Written in a polemical and persuasive style, the book challenges readers to distinguish between biblical mandates and human inventions. It serves as a call for church renewal by encouraging believers to evaluate their worship and governance structures against the text of Scripture. The text is accessible to lay readers and functions as a practical guide for those seeking to align their local church's practices with what the authors perceive as the original design of the early church.

Description adapted from Open Library bibliographic data ↗.