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Liked It “The authors do a good job of identifying the unbiblical or extra-biblical roots of many Catholic/Protostant practices. However I think this book must be coupled with Warren Bowles' "Christianity Reconsidered" for a complete picture of what was happening in the first century of the early church.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It“Although the book has interesting church history, can't say that I agree with our order of worship and sermonizing being wrong. In our church the Bible School (or Sunday School) serves the purpose of member participant and inter action among members.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“The authors do a good job of identifying the unbiblical or extra-biblical roots of many Catholic/Protostant practices. However I think this book must be coupled with Warren Bowles' "Christianity Reconsidered" for a complete picture of what was happening in the first century of the early church.”
Tony M wrote this review 4 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This will shake everything you know about the practices of the contemporary Christian church services. You will see how much of the practices have no basis on Scripture but were added by pagan customs over the past centuries. A must read for Christians!”
Paulette wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a very well researched book. The authors looked at so many angles and sources to back up wihat they were talking about.
Lesa C wrote this review Thursday, October 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This book give a history of the Church, from start to present.
They tell of the rituals and rules of the church how they caqme into being. Where did we get these practices, why do churches have steeples, what is the podium for, the altar, how is the ritual of the church differant today than from the first century.
Some chapters include:
1. the church building
2. Order of worship
3. the sermon
4, the Pastor
5. Sunday morning costumes
6. ministers of music
7. tithing and clergy salaries..
and so on.
VERY inlightening and explains why some of the scriptures say one thing but the "church" does something differant. Traditions of men.
”“Although the book has interesting church history, can't say that I agree with our order of worship and sermonizing being wrong. In our church the Bible School (or Sunday School) serves the purpose of member participant and inter action among members.”
Arlie R wrote this review Friday, October 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not a big fan of this one. I think Viola "strains at some gnats" in this one as well as twists some things to fit his point of view. He is a proponent of the house church movement and his "bias" shows through in a few places. Granted, the institutional church has lost its way in many places and certainly some of it's sacred cows are just pagan celebrations or rituals that have been "baptized" but I don't necessarily believe that is a reason to wipe the slate clean and start over. After all, the church is still the bride of Christ, warts and all, and because Christ loves his bride so should we. It just so happens that Viola loves his version of the church.
John N wrote this review Wednesday, September 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
All that said, this is certainly a thought provoking work. It was good to take a step back and look again at what we do and why we do it. Getting bumped out of a rut is rarely comforting but is often full of benefit. With that Viola succeeds.
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“This is an eye opening book that is well worth the read. It really gets you thinking!”
Tina S wrote this review Tuesday, September 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“an excellent hsitorical and meaningful book that confirmed all that God had shown me in the 50 years of my llife as a Christian and one who had served a large portion of his life in the institution and was set free in Christ”
Dr. Joseph B wrote this review Thursday, August 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Well documented history of the church”
Dennis Lafayette wrote this review Monday, August 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book makes clear that almost everything that Christians are doing today in their churches around the world has no resemblance as to how church was being done during the first century by the first Christians on this planet.
George Leonard wrote this review Friday, July 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
On the backside cover of this book are three questions that might arouse a prospective reader’s curiosity:
- Why does the pastor preach a sermon at every service?
- Why do church services seem so similar week after week?
- Why does the congregation sit passively in pews?
These questions and many others are thoroughly answered in this book based on historical documentation and an abundance of footnotes which can be verified if the reader wishes.
The book shows how the Christian churches throughout the centuries (step by step) have absorbed an overload of pagan cultural practices which makes the present day Christian church gatherings almost unrecognizable when compared to the original church gatherings as depicted in the New Testament.
The book is an eye-opener, a solid statement of fact backed by historical evidence and will no doubt leave anyone who reads it with their mouth open and saying, “Incredible!”
For those of you who are searching for a Christ-centered fellowship, one which was part of everyday life for those first Christians so long ago, - and – at the same time are asking yourself why you find it difficult to find a meaningful spiritual encounter in the church that you are currently attending and/or seeking – this book will help you understand the whys behind the dilemma today.
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