While Viola makes a handful of legitimate points and poses some worthwhile questions, his tone throughout is authoritatively arrogant and assuming. I found him to be severely lacking in the grace and humility which should mark a believer's speech, especially when bringing reproach. His arguments are fraught with logical fallacies, manipulative leading questions, and provocate language such as, strangles, smothers, and suffocates. I believe he has a critical spirit, and that his position disrespects the work of the Holy Spirit and the beauty of the diversity of the body of Christ. This review forced me to remove my direct quotes.

Excellent account of the impact/modifcation of church orthodoxy and orthopraxy by pagan entities across the centuries. Some impacts are not necessarily bad, but we must remember that the foundation and focus of the church is Jesus Christ. The church must be careful in understanding why we do what we do: the results are eternal. I can also see where leaders in large, structured, denominational organizations would find this information disturbing. Maybe it should be.

This is a really neat look into where we get many of the ideas and practices within local churches. Worth the read!

Had hoped to find answers to the origins of Christian traditions. Instead I found non-Christlike condemnation, inappropriate judgment, and an uneducated bias. Extremely disappointing. I pitched my copy in the trash.

This is a must-read for anyone that desires to move into God's will for His church. For me, it ansered so many questions about why things arent quite right in the church today.