In the first chapter of Pagan Christianity: Exploring the Roots of our Church Practices? a new release by authors Frank Viola and George Barna.
This book begins with a question which helps us to take a more careful look at many of the things that have simply been handed down to us under the name of Christianity, particularly those things related to our modern church practices.
And what is that question?
“Are we really doing it by the book?”
Good question, and one that I, personally, have struggled with from time to time, especially when I did attend ‘church’ as usual.
After revisiting this question, I am struck by a dilemma that, to this day, I do not fully understand.
Does ‘Doing it right’, really matter? After all, this is the same as doing it by the book,
… isn’t it?
And if so, what does that mean?
I know that in my mind, when I consider what it means to ‘do it right’, a couple of things come to mind:
Legalistic Thinking
‘Doing it right’, to me, rings so heavily of the voice of the pharisee, the one who is bent on making sure that everyone is (not) measuring up to the divine standard.
When doing it right is being considered from this perspective, it is typically judgmental, critical, and is usually based in and stems out from ones own sense of insecurity.
Authenticity
Ahhh. Now this one I can appreciate.
Is it real?
Is it the genuine article?
As often as this question arises concerning the things of the world, how much more vital is this question when it comes to things of the Lord?
It is from this second category that Frank and George begin their exploration, leading the reader on a journey of truth which is illuminated by both the holy scriptures as well as documented historical research.
I look forward to reading chapter two which is headed up by a quote by Alexander Schmemann, Twentieth-Century Eastern Orthodox Priest, Teacher and Writer,
“In the process of replacing the old religions, Christianity became a religion.”
In Christ,
~Johnny
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