I read Pagan Christianity back when it came out. I think it made some good points, particularly in regards to critiques of the what has become the standard pattern for the modern church. But I had strong reservations about it's conclusions regarding the place of sermons, pastors and church worship services, and the underlying Biblical arguments put forth to reach those conclusions. I would need to go back and read it again to refresh my memory, but I recall the book being far more critical of what it termed the "institutional church," than Pastor Kentaro. I really appreciate Pastor Kentaro's perspective that different styles of church organization may be better for different people, and that one style is not necessarily more Biblical than another. I wish this were the tone that the book itself took. I also appreciate the wisdom he showed in not publishing it on Amazon and seeking to limit the audience to more discerning believers, as I fear that it does have the potential to cause division within churches. The title itself is an intentionally inflammatory title meant to grab people's attention, but I don't think it's a helpful way to frame this important discussion.
I read Pagan Christianity back when it came out. I think it made some good points, particularly in regards to critiques of the what has become the standard pattern for the modern church. But I had strong reservations about it's conclusions regarding the place of sermons, pastors and church worship services, and the underlying Biblical arguments put forth to reach those conclusions. I would need to go back and read it again to refresh my memory, but I recall the book being far more critical of what it termed the "institutional church," than Pastor Kentaro.
I really appreciate Pastor Kentaro's perspective that different styles of church organization may be better for different people, and that one style is not necessarily more Biblical than another. I wish this were the tone that the book itself took. I also appreciate the wisdom he showed in not publishing it on Amazon and seeking to limit the audience to more discerning believers, as I fear that it does have the potential to cause division within churches. The title itself is an intentionally inflammatory title meant to grab people's attention, but I don't think it's a helpful way to frame this important discussion.