Moving the Goalpost
“It’s becoming increasingly common to hear people say things like, ‘It’s all about the Kingdom. The church stinks. The church is old and outdated … it’s convoluted and unnecessary. We don’t need it”.
“This is the thinking of exclusive sects who think they are the only ones REALLY doing it correctly. These kinds of arrogant and ignorant comments show that Viola sees his brand of faith as superior to that of everyone else.” R.A. Baker, Ph.D.
” The problem with changing the rules of the game is that the meaning of the result is changed, too.”
Jeremy Hobbs, New York Times.
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In the previous blog we examined two ideas, 1) Viola’s teachings that much (if not all) of what happens in church is based on paganism, and 2) the uniquely human tendency to look down on others who we believe are inferior. This week we’ll examine the arrogance of Viola’s followers and next week we’ll see if their arrogance is based on anything other than historical ignorance.
Moving the Goalpost
What’s remarkable about Viola new christian movement is that he has managed to move the goalpost for what used to be considered acceptable christian behavior. For the longest time good christians from all denominations have attended church on Sundays (mostly). Viola has convinced his followers that the idea of “church” is not only unbiblical but also based on paganism and not worthy of “true christians”.
He teaches that modern day christians should model the behavior of first century christians. They didn’t attend church. They gathered together in someone’s house. So, in order to be a true follower of Jesus, modern day christians must follow suit. So now, (according to Viola) true christians should no longer attend church, but rather they should meet in someone’s home. Church going christians are viewed as “hapless victims” who are practicing a pagan form of christianity and thus are not real members of God’s kingdom. How’s that for arrogance?
Taking Piety to a New Level
Viola has created a new splinter of christianity that (as it turns out) is even more pious than its predecessors. They have placed themselves on top of the religious totem pole and not only do they get to look down on non-believers and apostates like me, but they also get to look down on church going christians. And thus, they have taken the “holier than thou” attitude to new heights. It’s remarkable if you really think about it. Christians looking down on other christians for… (wait for it) … attending church.
Who’s looking down on whom?
Near my house there is a Baptist church. They call themselves, Tri-City Baptist. In their mission statement they make this proclamation.
“We believe Christians are to be personally separated from all worldly practices that hinder spiritual growth and stability. We will be separated from all forms of apostasy and religious inclusiveness.”
What an amazing thing to say. Not only are “worldly practices” dangerous to spiritual growth, but so is religious inclusiveness. For this congregation, it’s dangerous to believe that people of all faiths (or no faith) can be respected, valued, and accommodated. There must be no open dialogue, no understanding, and there can be no harmony with people who believe differently. Tri-City is on top of their religious totem pole. Their message is, “We are an elite group of church going christians and other christians (with differing beliefs) are a danger to our religious purity and we must protect ourselves from interaction with them.”
No longer on top.
The message from Viola’s followers is, “We (not you) are the only ones doing christianity correctly, and thus we are ‘the true church’ and therefore more pleasing to God.” (Sounds a bit familiar to me, perhaps it does to you too.)
Sorry TriCity Baptist, you’re no longer on top of the religious totem pole. This is the most extraordinary and ironic part of Viola’s teachings. While Tri-City Baptist is looking down from their ivory tower and feeling very confident in their “church” and secure in their disdain for other christians, Viola’s followers are looking down on them simply because they are an “organized church” with a pastoral staff who delivers a message each week, and with a choir that sings from time to time during the service.
Pastors, and sermons, and choirs. Oh my! Pastors, and sermons, and choirs. Oh my!
From Where I Stand.
Like I said before, this feud between differing christian sects is really none of my concern. I left the church decades ago, but not for the reasons Frank Viola gives. I didn’t leave because the church had pastors, or sermons or a choir, nor because the pews had cushions (all of which are unbiblical according to Viola).
I left when I realized that the message from the pulpit was faulty and that christian dogma was mostly based on falsehoods.
Daring souls
Viola says that those people who have left organized church to become part of a home church are “daring souls who have taken the terrifying step of leaving the safe camp of institutional Christianity.” But I don’t see it that way. They’re christians living in a christian nation, criticizing other christians who they believe are below them. That’s not daring. It’s more daring, in a christian nation like ours, to confess that you left the church because you no longer believe in christian dogma. It’s also more courageous to be that rare congregation that embraces diversity and actually welcomes others with different beliefs. They’re the ones showing true courage. Needless to say, I am not impressed with Viola’s “daring souls” who have placed themselves on top of the religious totem pole.
Jeremiah 5
I’m not really into quoting scripture, because I no longer believe it has authority over me. But I’m pretty sure Viola’s followers do believe in the authority of scripture. With that in mind, these verses from Jeremiah 5 seem to fit nicely here.
“An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land.”
Oh no! What could it be? Gay marriage? Liberalism? Secular Humanism? Turns out, it’s none of those.
“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority…”
Wait, what? Someone who claims to be speaking for God, actually isn’t? What a surprise! And added to that, what they are teaching is based on falsehoods. Hmmm, where have we heard that before?
Viola’s followers have taken piety to a whole new “holier than thou” level. They are even more pious than Tri-City Baptist. And here’s the kicker (still from Jeremiah 5). Why have Viola’s followers enthusiastically embraced such an overly pious attitude?
“And my people love it so!”
There you have it! Christians love feeling superior to others, especially other christians. So what, if it’s based mostly on falsehoods, it feels good being on top of the religious totem pole. Funny thing is, their religion also teaches “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” Not quite sure how they sidestep that little nugget. Anyway, Jeremiah 5 is not done yet. There is one more line to end the chapter.
“But what will you do at the end of it?”
How does this end? Has Viola really created a better form of christianity? Does it matter that it’s based mostly on ignorance and arrogance? Why have none of Viola’s followers taken the time to ask the right questions? Was the first century church really the perfect model for modern day Christianity? Are they really emulating first century beliefs or are they just pretending? Are they really the only ones doing christianity correctly? Is what they are doing really based on historical and biblical accuracy?
This willful naiveté of Viola’s followers is a simple case of “ignorance is bliss.” As we’ve addressed in a previous blog Viola targets their emotions rather than their intellect.
“And my people love it so!”
From Where I Stand
Jan. 8, 2026
Dale Crum
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