Rating: 
Summary: Going back to God's thought for His church.
Review: "Rethinking the Wineskin" masterfully portrays the spiritual and practical dimension of the early New Testament church. This book is full of mindset shattering comparisons of staus quo Christianity with the life and vitality of the first century. Viola paints a Christ-centered picture of the church in an easy-to-read format with an annotated bibliography. I consider it a must-read for all who desire to be released from the shackles of human tradition and return to the simplicity of God's heart concerning His ekklesia.
Rating:
Summary: A book that put's the focus back on Christ where it belongs
Review: A very good work showing how we have moved away from Christ our center. Frank is able to express Christ's heart for His people and how they come together in Him.
Rating:
Summary: The Church
Review: After experiencing salvation late in life (48), spending five years in an evangelical church, and studying the demographics of modern-day Christianity, I began asking the following question: "If the church is truly the Body of Christ, why is the world changing the church more than the church is changing the world?" I left the institutional church in search of an answer to that question. After studying the history of the church for two years, I found the answer in this book by Frank Viola. The answer is that so much of what we understand to be the church, today, has little or nothing to do with what Christ gave His Life to create.
Rating:
Summary: The Church
Review: After experiencing salvation late in life (48), spending five years in an evangelical church, and studying the demographics of modern-day Christianity, I began asking the following question: "If the church is truly the Body of Christ, why is the world changing the church more than the church is changing the world?" I left the institutional church in search of an answer to that question. After studying the history of the church for two years, I found the answer in this book by Frank Viola. The answer is that so much of what we understand to be the church, today, has little or nothing to do with what Christ gave His Life to create.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow!
Review: Ever hear phrases like, *believing priesthood?* or *It's the people that are the church, not the building?* This book is ground-breaking in that it talks about these things not in theory only, but in practicality. How do we serve as priests in the local assembly? How are believers to understand their individual functionings in a meeting of saints? If you are concerned with giving the Lord what HE wants, and want to honestly consider what HIS plan for the gathering of a church is, then read this book, laying aside all traditional notions. Get out your Bible and write down all your questions, then pray and read this book! Many often say it is impossible to find a *perfect* church, but this book is definitely foundation laying as to what it means to be involved in a *functioning* church. For some it will be the confirmation of convictions that were understood and obvious but somehow often neglected - for others it will be a disturbing proposition - and for others it will be a cleansing blow. But none who read will walk away unaffected. My review - "wow!" - and that's really the summation of what should be said!
Rating:
Summary: Viola's Trilogy on Church
Review: Frank Viola has done an amazing job in researching not only Scripture but history to demonstrate life in the early Church. I highly recommend his other two books:
1. Who is your Covering?
2. Pagan Christianity
His books confirmed what I have always suspected about what is wrong in the modern church. Mainstream Christendom follows traditions and practices that have no root in Scripture. And even "Bible believing" fundamentalism has followed hook, line and sinker on some things without ever reviewing them.
I highly recommend his works to all Christians though I don't agree 100% with everything that is said.
Rating:
Summary: "Rethinking..." is revolutionary yet ancient, practical
Review: Frank Viola has given language to what so many Christians have been feeling for so very long. The notion that there is "something higher" (concerning the nature of Christ's Body, the Church) is one which has been scoffed at since the Reformation. Little do most Christians realize how far we have come from the original models of church that Christ set forth and Paul proclaimed; namely, that Christ is the Head and all things are subject to Him. Viola's book paints a picture of a place where this is not mere idealism but truth and reality.
Rating:
Summary: "Rethinking..." is revolutionary yet ancient, practical
Review: Frank Viola has given language to what so many Christians have been feeling for so very long. The notion that there is "something higher" (concerning the nature of Christ's Body, the Church) is one which has been scoffed at since the Reformation. Little do most Christians realize how far we have come from the original models of church that Christ set forth and Paul proclaimed; namely, that Christ is the Head and all things are subject to Him. Viola's book paints a picture of a place where this is not mere idealism but truth and reality.
Rating:
Summary: An excited reader
Review: I feel this book is the modern match to Watchman Nee's great book THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH LIFE. Viola's book is the best I've ever read on church renewal. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: An all encompassing book of the New Testament church.
Review: I found this book with its thought provoking chapters to be extremely worthwhile reading. Frank Viola describes the church in the first century in a captivating fashion. Viola profoundly equates the New Testament church with today's organized church. This book is for those seeking "renewal" in their church life.
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