Pagan Christianity! II - Important News.

February 13th, 2008

I just received a ‘Heads Up’ on Frank Viola’s “Pagan Christianity” from my underground source. … … … NO … It is my ‘Down Under Contact’. i.e. a link to ‘Brother Maynard’, and his Blog ‘Subversive Influence’ a post titled “A Conversation with Frank Viola, Part I”

Brother Maynard was somewhat critical of PC in his review of it Monday week ago, Feb. 4th yet as a responsible journalist he contacted Frank (via E-Mail) that resulted in this Part I of a multi-part interview. Not having read FV’s writing for a season, I was really impressed with Bro. M’s style of digging in that brought out a fuller understanding of where FV is coming from & going.

BTW! Just to show you how I was influenced by the interview, I have ordered four copies of PC myself from, Amazon.Com, not waiting to get it in our store.

Here is a short quote from: A Conversation with Frank Viola, Part I:

Frank: I’m not sure. I’ll simply say that we didn’t write the book in the style of an arm-chair scholar. It’s not a book disseminating sterile historical information. I’m someone who lives and breathes for the church of Jesus Christ. This incredible Christ has overwhelmed my life. And she, the ekklesia, is my passion. Therefore, the writing style and message is not just aimed at the frontal lobe, but at the heart, the spirit, and the conscience. There’s passion and energy behind the book. For better or for worse, that passion is rooted in a jealousy for the centrality, supremacy, and headship of Jesus Christ and the freedom of His beloved Bride. That doesn’t make me infallible in my conclusions; it just means that these issues have moved from my head to my heart. (I agree with N.T. Wright when he said that about 1/3 of what I’m telling you is probably not correct. But I don’t know which 1/3 it is.)

As I reported last Saturday that there was some, near if not outright, vehement criticism, ‘Like Book Burning’ threats towards Frank and George Barna’s rework of “Pagan Christianity”.

Here is part of Frank’s response to some of that criticism:

Frank: From what I’ve seen, some critics of the book are incredibly articulate. They are highly gifted writers — the kind of people you’d love to have in your corner if you were under attack. It’s been reported that at least half the reviews are by people who didn’t read the book or surface-skimmed it. (Interestingly, a friend of mine recently made the observation that “Pagan Christianity is the most reviewed book by those who haven’t read it.”)

Bro.M Ouch!

What I think is so stupendous is, as I write, I am coming across so many more resources, revisiting Frank viola and his works and now Brother Maynard, which I have bookmarked for ‘A Keep A Eye On’ Link.

In addition, of course, ‘This Is News’ for me, as I love Books and Everything else about them. e.g. Reports, Reviews, Business, and of course … Value!

Thanks to my Down Under Contact again for the Heads Up!

Be Blessed, DP

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