In reviewing this book I have to state that I fall into one of the categories it challenges! I am currently training for Ordained Methodist Ministry, and as such I see the value in Ordained Ministry, I also see the value in many of the historical practises of the Church.
Like the authors of Pagan Christianity however I do not hold these rituals, and practises to be either authentic or irreplaceable. One of my passions is enabling local congregations to discover what gift they bring to the local community, sometimes that gift is best wrapped in what we now call traditional church, sometimes the whole thing needs to be repackaged. One thing I believe we cannot do is to return to the New Testament model- why because there wasn't one model- New Testament Churches were often pragmatic and almost always reflected the culture they were planted in, whilst living out the tension of what it meant to be a Christian in that place even when this meant persecution.
Pagan Christianity raises healthy and helpful questions about the practises we take for granted, or jealously guard without understanding the roots of those practises. I think the questions are good, but wonder whether the authors feeling that we should rid ourselves of these is almost moving too far in the opposite direction.
I would want to bring questions about whether what we do is healthy, and promoting growth in the knowledge and love of God, yes our practises should be viewed with a hermeneutic of suspicion, but we should also be prepared to see the positive!
That said I believe this is an excellent book, with some excellent questions..... we would do well to read it.
