Originally Posted by Jason
A new book, co-authored by researcher George Barna and Frank Viola, contends that many of the practices of the conventional church do not have a biblical foundation, but are based on pagan practices adopted by Christians in the second century or later.
For example the book, Pagan Christianity? Exploring the Roots of Our Christian Practices, claims that:
The early church met in homes, and that church buildings were not constructed until about 327 A.D. during the reign of the Roman emperor Constantine.
The pulpit came from Greek culture and was used by speakers during public debates.
The idea of preaching a sermon came from the Greek orators late in the second century.
A pastor was not seen as the official leader of the body of believers until the second century and the practice of ordination was based upon the prevailing Roman custom of appointing men to public office.
According to George Barna, the purpose of the book is not to criticize the church, but to "give people the freedom to re-think many modern church practices." "Often, people feel as if their worship and ministry are confined to what is routinely done because those patterns have a biblical basis or mandate," said Barna. "But when you research the origins of church practices, and study the practices of the early church, you discover that most of our current church practices have ancient cultural origins, with no biblical basis."
The book, which also addresses such practices as altar calls, the pastoral prayer, tithing and the use of church bulletins, has received mixed reviews. (from another thread on AFF)
interesting.
One other note, David Bernard wrote 3 volumes on the history of chirsitian doctrine, over 1000 pages, has anyone read it? he goes into basically every major doctrine in the apostolic church, yet tithing is no where to be found.
Why? I think the answer is obvious, it came from church councils.
I am not against tithing, I am against tithing being taught as mandatory, or more plainly, obligatory, or cumpolsory(sp?). Or being tied to salvation.
Men and bretheren, what must we do? Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost. Praise God i have been born again. Whoa, except you pay 10%of your income (gross or net?) please disregaurd your new birth experience, you are still lost.
This make alot of sense.
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