Frank Viola: Official Blog

There Really is More to the Christian Faith

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“Launch out into the deep …” ~ Luke 5:4

“Deep calls unto deep ….” ~ Psalm 42:7

Are you tired of the shallowness and superficiality that marks present-day Christianity?

Do you feel deep within your heart that there has to be more to the Christian faith?

Are you weary of both the evangelical right and the progressive left?

Do you desire to take your relationship with the Lord to the next level?

Join over 2 million readers and get plugged into The Deeper Journey.

Once you subscribe, you’ll get my weekly UNFILTERED articles which are emailed every Thursday.

You’ll also receive these two books as gifts as well as my Next Reformation audio seminar.

https://frankviola.org/2018/10/15/join/

Rethinking Church – Addressing a Danger

“We need to rethink our entire concept of church and discover it afresh through the lens of Jesus and the apostles.”

~ Reimagining Church (David C. Cook, 2008), p. 273.

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As I write these words, Pagan Christianity (coauthored with George Barna: Tyndale, 2008) will have been out for a decade.

When the book first hit shelves, some described it as “a bomb dropped on the institutional church playground.” Soon afterward, a storm hit with biblical fury. The book was venerated and vilified, honored and hammered, loved and loathed. And of course, profoundly misrepresented by those threatened by its unconventional message.

Yet within its pages, many found lightning in a box.

The message of Pagan Christianity was simple: we have departed from what God has called the church to be. More specifically, the common practice of church is radically different from what we find in the New Testament. The book tells the story of how “church” morphed into what it is today.

Ten years later (2018), the book has yet to be refuted. Every objection has been thoroughly answered and put to rest (see PaganChristianity.org/answers for details).

Of course, Pagan Christianity wasn’t a stand-alone volume. It was only the first part – the deconstructive part – of a fuller argument. The constructive sequels came out within two years – Reimagining Church (David C. Cook, 2008), From Eternity to Here (David C. Cook, 2009), and Finding Organic Church (David C. Cook, 2009).[Continue Reading…]

Don’t Believe Everything You Read or Hear

Several years ago, Michael Hyatt (former CEO of Thomas Nelson) responded to a rumor on his blog. In the post, Michael wrote,

“According to the most recent rumor—which I’ve now heard twice—we [Thomas Nelson] are planning a layoff for June 19th … There is absolutely no truth to it … If you hear this rumor, I would be grateful if you would help me short-circuit it. You can tell ’em it’s not true, and you heard it directly from me.”

I recall when this rumor was circulating and was saddened (and surprised) at how many Christians believed it without going straight to Michael to see if it was true or false. Here’s another example that’s much more national.[Continue Reading…]

Obliterating 5 Errors About the Insurgence

Now for today’s article. The following are five errors about the Insurgence that I keep seeing. So I’m writing this article to refute them.

Error 1: All preachers and authors who preach “the gospel of the kingdom” mean the same thing by the phrase.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions of all. Right now, I can count on my hand five different preachers who use the phrase (gospel of the kingdom), and none of them mean the same thing by the phrase.[Continue Reading…]

Should an Insurgent Vote in Political Elections?

“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

~ 2 Timothy 2:4

Disclaimer: If you skim this article, you will miss the points made. So I recommend reading it carefully online or printing it out and read it offline.

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Some who have read INSURGENCE: Reclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and have joined the Insurgence have asked me the following question:

“Now that I’ve broken ties with the world system and joined the Insurgence, should I vote in political elections?”

While I talk a great deal about the political system (which is part of the world system) in the book, I intentionally don’t say whether or not those who have joined the Insurgence should vote in political elections. [Continue Reading…]

Kingdom Outpost Testimonials

As a result of the new book, INSURGENCE: Reclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, kingdom outposts are being formed all over the world. The end of the book discusses this concept and gives some suggestions of what do to in your kingdom cell. (Again, these are NOT cell churches. Neither are they “house churches” or Bible studies.)

I explain what a kingdom cell is on pages 329-331 & 432, including a plan on what to do in your cell meetings. I also discuss it in How to Form a Kingdom Cell (Outpost) Where You Live.

Recently, I caught up with six people who have formed kingdom cells (outposts). I trust their testimonials encourage and motivate.

Testimonial from Paul
[Continue Reading…]

Greg Boyd Interviews Frank on the Lost Gospel of the Kingdom

Greg Boyd is a long-time friend. He’s kindly endorsed many of my books and we’ve encouraged each other privately for a long time.

Greg and I don’t agree on everything. In fact, we have substantial theological disagreements. But when it comes to the reality of spiritual warfare, the role of principalities and powers, the idea that human government wasn’t God’s original will, and that countless Christians are ensnared by money and possessions, we’re joined at the hip.

Recently, Greg interviewed me about the Insurgence and the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Many have written in saying it was the most insightful interview they’ve ever heard. There’s also a generous portion of humor sprinkled in.

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE for free samples of the book INSURGENCE: Reclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom as well as more interviews and discount ordering information.[Continue Reading…]

This Has to Be Said (Offensive) – A Birthday Wish

Tomorrow (October 12th) is my birthday and this article contains a birthday wish. Some of you who are older will find this article offensive. I know because I’ve received hate mail from people 60 years old and up when I’ve made these statements elsewhere.

Deep breath.

My spirit, mind, will, emotions, and body are fully given to the recovery of the explosive gospel of the kingdom and the Insurgence that’s connected with it. Whether you’ve recognized it or not, over the last year, I’ve been writing to those who have joined the Insurgence.

My role is to equip, encourage, and help you spread the Insurgence.

That’s my preamble.[Continue Reading…]

The Fickleness of Christians

What do I mean by “fickleness” among Christians? Here are four examples to give you the picture.

Exhibit A. Christina is on fire for the Lord. Four years later, she turns away from Him and goes back into the world.

Exhibit B. Doug is fully engaged in the deeper journey. Three years later, he loses all interest in it and instead opts for superficial religious intellectualism, confusing it with spirituality.

Exhibit C. Josh is on track to become a worker in the Lord’s house. Three years later, the fires get too hot for him, so he abandons his true calling (without realizing it), and goes the institutional route by enrolling in seminary to become another cog in the system.[Continue Reading…]