Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Frank Viola and George Barna examine the historical origins of modern Christian church practices. The authors argue that many contemporary church traditions—including wearing formal clothing, weekly sermons delivered by a pastor, pews, steeples, and choirs—derive from pagan culture and rituals developed after the apostles' deaths rather than from the New Testament. Using historical evidence and extensive footnotes, Viola and Barna trace how these practices emerged and identify problems that arise when churches function as business organizations rather than as living organisms. They discuss church traditions absent from the Bible, the role of pastors in the early church, and how modern worship practices may inhibit Spirit-led participation. The book presents Jesus's vision for the church as a fully functioning body where all believers play active roles, inviting readers to reconsider their approach to church practice.