Reimargining Church, Frank Viola

 

At last I've finished the book. I did set out to summarize each chapter but....

The end of the book Viola makes an important statement::

If you have understood and accepted the message of this book, then you have drawn two significant conclusion:

1. The institutional church as we know it today does not reflect the church that God originally intended.
2. The church that Scripture envisions is organic in its nature and expression, and the Lord desires to recover it today.

Agreeing or disagreeing with this statement is a good way of summarizing this book.

There are a number of responses to this statement.

If you an evangelical who takes the majority of scripture as literally then I think you have to agree with the statement. Churches as we know it are not scriptural but have been shaped by humans.

If on the other hand you are a Christian of a "progressive" or "liberal" bent. Then Viola's forceful argument does not sit as well. The traditions and sacrements in the Church in themselves have value and significant Spiritual significance.

Personally I think the small group is a better way in which community develops. I also like the idea of the 'priest-hood of believers'. I also find meaning in a lot of the traditions and sacraments within the church

One last comment on the last Chapter, which I don't think was neccessary in the book. Viola has a go at most of the main large grouping of evangelicals. He has a go at the 'Vineyard', through the 'Third wave, restoration' label. (Who would know what 'third wave' meant why not just say who the churches are....).

....most third-wave-restoration churches have put the cart before the horse. Namely, they have sought to possess the power of the Spirit before they have gone under the flesh-severing knife of the cross.

I'm not sure what he is trying to get at. There are plenty of examples of the Spirit coming along doing stuff prior to any knowlege of the cross eg pentescost. Anyway what anoys me is 'I've got friends in this movement, blah blah blah. I think he should have just left the chapter out instead of grand genralisations.

Otherwise its a great book if you are in the evangelical camp.

If you want to see my chapter summaries they are here

Frank Viola, Chapter 12, Re-magining authority and submission

 

Frank Viola, Reimagining Church, Chapter 12, Re-magining authority and submission

A few thoughts....
Firstly I've never heard of the 'shepherding movement' , but it would have been nice to have a bit more history on in. Especially from a non US christian background.

Frank has some interesting definitions in this chapter which I think are helpful in  summing up the chapter.
Subjection:: Absolute
Obedience:: Conditional
Authority:: An action carried out without hindrance. Authority is never over other believers. The New Testament authority is new linked to Church leaders or other Christians. It is not the same authority as government officials have.

Organic authority:: Rooted in a persons life of 'word and deed' or has it from the 'Lord himself' (Mmm subjective), often confirmed by the community. It is always based on function and service rather than 'Spirituality'.
Viola calls for a mutual subjection between believers. Which (I like), is rooted in the Trinity.

Frank Viola Re-imagining Church, Chapter 11, Reimagining Spiritual Cover

'Spiritual covering' is an interesting chapter. In many ways I think Viola is right. The way 'Covering' has been used is some cases in abusive. Yet on a practical level I'm not sure that he has given any practical alternatives. (I'm not really sure what he meant by the 'Shepharding movement' it sound like a Northern American thing, which I don't think he explained well.)

Covering may not be used with that specific wording in the bible as Viola writes. Yet I think it could be argue that it is implied with accountability, an aspect of Spiritual formation and the call to holiness.

One of the things that Viola writes about is the hierarchal nature of 'Covering'. I think in a traditional sense, this is the case. Yet I know that for Vineyard certainly in Australia it is very much based around a network. Where peer mentoring is probably the best accountability, or covering you may have.

I also find it amusing his conclusion regarding 'The real question behind covering", That it is 'Who controls you". I've always thought covering as who is going to take some of the responsibility when you stuff up. Certainly for me this was the case in the Anglican system, when a Bishop took on much which I didn't hear about in my ministry...

Its interesting that I'm sure there would be similar structure in Northern America, yet Viola doesn't mention them. I can't help wonder if he wants to really depress the reader, into thinking the church is doomed completely.

The next chapter may I think unpack some of my concerns.... 'Reimagining authority and submission'