Shortly after Pagan Christianity released in 2008, a friend of mine created a video response to the many straw-man/misleading reviews that were circulating about the book.
Jesus taught us to agree with our adversaries (Matt 5:25). So the video is quite Scriptural. 🙂
I still find it interesting that some people continue to write misleading critiques of the book, yet refuse to come on this blog to discuss/debate the issues with me . . . despite my continued invitations for such.
All told: Despite the many attempts to discount the arguments in the book since 2008, the book still stands . . . unrefuted. And every objection to it thus far has been answered.
For those who are new to the blog, I should probably point out that Pagan Christianity was never meant to be a stand-alone book. It’s only the first half of the argument. The second (more important) half is in Reimagining Church. Pagan Christianity deconstructs; Reimagining Church constructs. Both books go together.
Enjoy the video.
Ed Stetzer Interviews Len Sweet and Frank Viola
Holy crap Frank, this video makes me laugh. I love it! Pastor Jeremy E. (Pagan Christianity Noviate).
Wow. This video contains profound truth in it.? It reminds me that people can get really angry when their sacred cows are challenged and they can justify their impulsive reactions by using religiously-correct words. That’s why Jesus was killed. Christians are not immune to this. Thanks for the humor here.
Great video! Love the book Pagan Christianity! Set me free from a lot of man made traditions!!!
My favorite part is putting Harry Potter in the same league as the Communist Manifesto, and Hitler’s book. That cracks me up every time.
Also exactly what Linda said above — drinking and smoking: the worst sins ever that will immediately damn you! So exactly what I used to think as a little kid. I love the ‘Bible code’ spoof too (I read some of those books) and I can’t remember how many times it was pointed out to me that Santa and Satan have the same 5 letters! No one ever replied that Santa actually means ‘Saint,’ thus proving no one was actually using any of their brain cells. I did finally grow up and figure it out myself — and I am not just talking about Santa.
The video is such a great mash-up of brainless knee-jerk religious reactions to things.
The picture of the guy with enormous glasses when it says “the bloggers” have blogged was pretty funny, as the the preaching voice with the little hiccup between each word. “not worth the damnation” was also a classic line which I may have to use myself.
Definitely appreciated the endorsement from the seventh layer of hell. And the disclaimer at the end was hilarious: the authors don’t endorse the book. I admit that since reading Pagan Christianity I’ve had overwhelming urges to play D&D and join the Masons… can’t be coincidental 🙂
THAT…WAS….HILARIOUS!
I love the whole thing, the way poor Rotunda opens the book and immediately starts drinking and smoking (the 2 biggest evils in the whole wide world) then she instantly dies, no doubt going straight to hell. hahahahahaha
This is great! All of it.!!
@Kat: Those are some very eye opening quotes, for those who have ears to hear. I appreciated your comments.
My favorite parts of the video: “So many Christians haven’t banned together over a book they haven’t read since Divinci Code”, the “hidden” satanic message, and the disclaimer at the end that neither the author or publisher endorse the book. That last part really cracked me up. 🙂
I love the video–but have to admit, I’m very biased. People may not catch the blooper at the end. Instead of putting the cigarettes into her mouth, Becky puts the lighter in!
Brilliant! Perhaps it is just me, but I see a metaphoric brilliance in the first couple seconds of the video which summed up the whole matter. “Mein Kampf”or in English “My Struggle” a book by Adolf Hitler exposing a twisted, depraved, malformation, and malfunctioning ideology, to say the very least of such a monstrosity.
The following quote speaks more than what I could possibly express regarding replacing organic with an organized, ranking system of leaders to DOMINATE and DIVIDE the people into groups, leaders and followers/members.
“If a movement proposes to overthrow a certain order of things and CONSTRUCT A NEW ONE IN ITS PLACE, then the following principles must be clearly understood and MUST DOMINATE in the RANKS OF ITS LEADERSHIP: Every movement which has gained its human material must first divide this material into two groups: namely, FOLLOWERS AND MEMBERS. It is the task of the propagandist to RECRUIT THE FOLLOWERS and it is the task of the ORGANIZER to select the MEMBERS. ”—Mein Kampf, Adolph Hitler
“The follower is one whom the propaganda has converted to the doctrine of the movement. The MEMBER is he who will be charged by the organization to collaborate in winning over new followers from which in turn NEW MEMBERS can be FORMED.” —Mein Kampf, Adolph Hitler
Does this remind anyone at all of a systematic and instituted organization established today?
I hope this comment is not too outrageous to be submitted, after all, I am commenting on the book of the outrageous “Pagan Christianity!” I could never thank the authors enough for the their outstanding courage, effort, time, and love it took to write this very important book.
I love this video. It is spot on. I have personally had many conversations that this video depicted. My favorite line is a quote from a book reviewer that states “If I would have read this book, I would have hated it.” That is the logic of many who would comment on the book, but have never read it. Fear is never a good thing.
Hahaha brilliant video response to all the ghost busters.
Pagan Christianity is extremely helpful and a very necessary read for mature Christians, who have a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. New Christians tend to hold their leaders and church organisations in such high esteem, that they may become unhinged by the frankness (no pun intended) of this book. My advice is get a firm grip on the Lord Jesus, hold onto Him all the way through, but read this book!!
Funny video. I read the book a few months ago. Riveting for sure. Very well written and readable. Extremely thought provoking. Powerful message. Having said that I think the book should be burned 🙂
“. . . can be damaging to traditional thinking.”
Reminds me of a Taco Bell commercial: “Think outside the bun.”
It seems like it could be a good thing to get the church outside the bun and on the grill. That way we could be set free and fired up for Jesus at the same time. Ain’t nothing pagan ’bout that!
Hahahaha! I laughed at the pastor’s quote after reading the back cover. So funny. I think this video is more likely to get people to read it than not.
A great laugh to start out my day! Thanks Frank! I especially liked the part where the code for satan is being exposed and Becky’s acting debut -she’s pretty good!