The Dream of Organic Christianity

A Book Review of: Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity by Frank Viola

Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity by Frank Viola, is sure to send every “clergy-laity” member scratching around for a biblical defense to the claims made against the 1700 year old institutional form of church.  And according to Viola, they will not find a “shred of biblical warrant” to support its existence.

At last, the sequel to the highly controversial book, Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices, has arrived!  And it is for certain that not all will applaud its arrival to the bookstore.  No doubt, many readers are still trying to grapple with the favorable recognition and popularity of the first book to this series of 4 books on organic Christianity.  The first time, Viola had the help of George Barna and Tyndale in gaining a few listening ears.  Now that he has the attention of no small number of readers… he has set off to propose serious answers to an audience that is filled with sincere questions.  And “Reimgaining Church” will not leave readers dissatisfied in their quest for the normal Christian church life.  In fact, it will leave them hungering for authenticity in the New Testament fashion.

As the saying goes, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”  Many readers have learned that from PC.  So let the reader first understand the title.  Viola states, “it’s the present practices of the church that I’m seeking to reimagine, not the church itself” (p.13).  He clearly outlines his purpose so that there is no misunderstanding.  He writes that the purpose of the book is: “to articulate a biblical, spiritual, theological, and practical answer to the question, Is there a viable way of doing church outside the institutional church experience, and if so, what does it look like” (p.12)?

Let there be no mistake, any serious reader cannot accuse Viola of impure motives or building the house of God on sand.  Indeed, the foundation of the ideas communicated in this book are constructed upon the triune God (i.e. Trinity as archetype for the church).  Therefore, RC should be understood as a proposal that the church of Jesus Christ mirror the very image of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Viola writes, “the church is the earthly image of the triune God” (p.35).  In the spirit of Stanley Grenz, Leonardo Boff, and Miroslav Volf… Viola has wonderfully woven together the fabric of God’s eternal purpose in a clear, concise, and intelligent way.  Its inspiration can be questioned, as with any author, but its scholarship is insurmountable in its presentation.  This is a work for the carpenter and the scholar.

“The Reformation recovered the truth of the priesthood of all believers. But it failed to restore the organic practices that embody this teaching. It was restricted to soteriology (salvation) and didn’t involve ecclesiology (the church)” (p.59).  In the pursuit of an organic Christianity that is rooted in the triune God, the greatest hurdle will be with what lies at the heart of the institutional model of the church: hierarchal leadership.  And Viola goes to great lengths in addressing the error we have made in our teaching and practice of authority and “spiritual covering.”  He even extends his address in the appendix “Objections and Responses about Leadership.”

In every chapter, Viola seems to anticipate the objections and rebukes… and very skillfully, with ease, answers those objections and the many misconceptions that are born out of a first-reading of the ideas presented in PC and RC.  I have read all of Viola’s similar writings in his original series… and RC in this new series is definitely his finest presentation thus far.  He leaves little in his language to trip over… just a great deal of truth to bear.

Readers will appreciate Viola’s honesty and sensitivity to the issues.  Each chapter builds one upon the other and guides you to the end.  I found that when a question would arise, it would quickly be addressed to satisfy a deep-seeded longing to know and follow the truth.  Although it is not necessary for the reader to have previously read PC… it is recommended.  It is always best to start listening to a conversation from the beginning.

Finally, I want to communicate to the reader that only those interested in spiritual revolution, instead of religious reformation, will benefit from RC.  We must be willing to forsake all the new recovery methods of the institution and leave behind all the drama surrounding passions, programs, methods, and movements.  It is time for a paradigm shift!  Viola writes, “Recovering the organic expression of the church and the practical headship of Jesus Christ necessitates that we forsake our ecclesiastical patches and Band-Aids” (p.270).  Only a life fixated on the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ and longing to see that expressed in the church… will find comfort in the reading of this book.

A great exodus is occurring even as I write this book review.  It is not one of rebellion, but one of submission.  Dear reader, consider a renewed Christology that gives birth to a glorious ecclesiology.  Consider the message of this book… and let Christ’s person and work be reflected in all compartments of life.

David D. Flowers

free-lance writer & blogger

The Woodlands, TX

http://ddflowers.wordpress.com

The following is the Preface to my soon to be released e-book Knowing Christ in Divine Order. If you would like to be placed on my e-mail list for the book… please contact me at daviddflowers@aol.com with your info. Thanks for taking the time to read.  

Preface
This book has been written to expound on a forgotten teaching of Scripture that I believe gives us great insight into knowing Jesus. It is my desire that this small book will provoke its readers to draw near to the Lord in order that they would receive greater revelations of Jesus Christ and know the power of his resurrection life.

There is a terrible trend today that the church has accepted. As an avid reader, I have noticed the plethora of Christian books and other writings that offer a "new" word and promise a way out of spiritual despair for a return to authentic Christianity. Yet, little seems to come of the many attempts to jump start the church individually or corporately. I humbly believe I know why this is happening. If you would do me the honor of continuing to read this book… I believe you will agree with me and the many saints who have left us with the keys to spiritual revolution.

"We have almost forgotten that God is a person and, as such, can be cultivated as any person can." A.W. Tozer

It is not my concern to be trendy or to present something that would look good on a bookstore shelf. I am writing in hopes that Christ may use my words to reveal something about his Person to you. For it is my strong conviction that all our problems and concerns in our lives and the Christian church… are resolved in knowing Christ in spirit and in truth. This is the very reason that we have been placed on this earth… to know Christ and make him known.

"Though most believers are comfortable speaking of a "personal relationship with Jesus," few concepts are so greatly celebrated and little experienced." Wayne Jacobson

This book is about us knowing Christ intimately and experiencing him daily. It is about the way Christ has prepared for us to meet with him and walk with him moment-by-moment. You will find nothing in this book that will excite the outward man to respond by his own intellect and emotion. However, you will find spiritual things that beckon the governing of Christ's Spirit in your inner man.

My intentions are not to rest solely on a lost teaching, but to move on to experience and application. However, it must be known that I myself have only just begun to implement these things into my life. I am still running the race. It is my hope that you would prayerfully consider the content of this little book. It is the Lord that must teach us how to follow the divine order of knowing him.

Therefore, this book should be read as an invitation. Would we be so bold to trust Christ to be our leader and head? Would we trust the Lord Jesus to give us the experience of knowing him in divine order instead of looking to a man to guide our steps? Only those who wish to surrender to Christ as teacher will find satisfaction in what I am passing on to you. May we allow Christ to be central and supreme in our lives. Let us deny the life that has become dependent upon man's words and the many religious gimmicks that leave us empty time and again. Let us return to our first love.

"We are past the point of revival; we have gone beyond the possibility of repair through reformation. Christianity must experience a vital revolution!" H.J. Stanley

Finally, I have written this book to Christians everywhere who are dissatisfied with their current knowledge of Christ and see the great need in the church for spiritual revolution instead of religious reformation. Is there more to Christian spirituality than you are experiencing? You bet. Are we missing something in the midst of all the ecclesiastical drama today? No doubt. Do I have all the answers? Absolutely not. But I am confident that I am beginning to know the One who does.

I pray that your reading of this book will not be a judgment on my limitations and short-comings as a writer. It is the message that I hope you will hold up to the testimony of Scripture and take to the Lord in prayer. May the Lord speak to you in spite of me.

Your Brother,

David D. Flowers
The Woodlands, TX

Check out endorsements for the book at:  http://ddflowers.wordpress.com