Posted on 02/12/2008 2:42:11 AM PST by ovrtaxt
saving
As a matter of fact, Frank Viola and Frank Viola are friends. No kidding!
I haven’t read the book but see merit in what Frank is expressing. I think too many organized institutions of religion have doctored the true message of Christ with a lot of add-ons that having nothing to do with a relationship with Christ.
Raised in that element, I respect it, but I rather tend to prefer my relationship with Christ to be personal and spiritual rather than done up with a lot of frippery that has nothing to do with the New Testament.
‘frippery’. I’m stealing that word.
Pagan Christianity is a really eye-opening book.
I appreciate you posting this interview and intend to print it out for other interested folks.
So far so good, the religious evisceration should be starting any moment now....
And then I prayed, "Lord what is the true church?"
"Later I found some golden tablets on which was shown me the true church. It was the answer to a prayer"
yitbos
“Later I found some golden tablets on which was shown me the true church. It was the answer to a prayer”
And that sort of ‘happening’ is part and parcel of the problem with the various organized religions. Some ‘inspired’ guy thinks he needs to add to the New Testament’s message.
Sans the golden tablets it produces the same ‘extras’ in various Christian institutions.
I was just going to say that I remember when he pitched for the Mets lol
Yup. If you follow the deep ecclesiology link, there’s an interesting read into Christ as the center and nothing else. Trying to place that perfect wine in an imperfect vessel leads to a lot of stained carpets. At the same time, Viola still seems intent on forming churches, but he doesn’t say what those churches should express, only criticizes the limitations of the existing churches he’s experienced. I would be interested in his thinking about what a church should be expressing and not the usual “stay true to Christ” mantra. Until I experience otherwise, I think the only perfect expression of Christ is within each of us individually.
Jesus Christ + 0 = Gospel
Then you need to read his other books, particulary "Knowing Christ Together" and "Rethinking the Will of God," "Whose Your Covering" to get an idea of what his view of the New Testament church is.
Is this a rebirth of “First Century Christianity” which was the epitome of simplicity; worshipping in homes, sharing the Eucharist like a meal, shunning institutional religions (which were non-Christian anyway)?
I don’t know about “Pagan Christianity”, sounds like an oxymoron, IMO.
read
“Until I experience otherwise, I think the only perfect expression of Christ is within each of us individually.”
WOW! That is about as well said as can be said. I need to borrow that from you!
“Jesus Christ + 0 = Gospel”
After a lifetime of organized religion...I have finally come to that.
It is between me and HIM. No middle man/men needed anymore.
He used to be Frank Violin. Then he grew up.
ping
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