Reading through From Eternity to Here by Frank Viola and as part of the blog tour, I wanted to share some thoughts. Viola writes about his own journey about learning who God is through God’s perspective. Too often we try to define God from our view, but in Viola’s case it is different. Different in that he is choosing to look at the whole eternal perspective of God rather than how God fits within in his own world view. He starts the story from the understanding that we are a part of something larger and more grand than we could ever imagine. It’s not about us, but all about God. Mr. Viola writes:
“The Christian life was no longer about me and what I could or should do. Neither was it primarily about others. The needs of human beings became secondary. A page had turned…it all became about God’s ageless desire.”
In order to display God to the world through the church, Frank Viola contends–as I do–that the church should be an open-participatory gathering rather than an event where people congregate and only see a few people minister to a mostly-passive audience.
The book concludes with a very missional expression of God’s love and purpose. It encourages us to invite others into a community that no longer chases after religious and Christian things, but instead chooses to know, explore, encounter, honor, love, and express Christ in all things. When the church truly becomes about Christ and not about any of us, we can fully express our understanding that we want to see eternity coming here…the kingdom of heaven here on earth.
From Eternity to Here: Rediscovering the ageless purpose of God is definitely a book that I need to spend more time reading through as I sense that Frank Viola has found himself in a place where I sense I am trying to see action happen and there is much to be learned in this book as a result.
The following bloggers are posting a review or Q & A with Frank Viola on his bestselling book FROM ETERNITY TO HERE today, Tuesday, July 21st. You may order the book at a discount at www.FromEternitytoHere.org – it’s also on audio book. Free discussion guide, sample chapters, interviews, and a free audio of the first chapter are available on that site also. Here are the bloggers who are participating:
Jay Becker – http://www.jaybecker.org
Mark D – http://deadmanstravelog.blogspot.com
Igniting Hearts – Kimber Britner – http://www.ignitinghearts.blogspot.com
Karyn – http://tiger-kar.blogspot.com
Barefoot Preacher – http://thebarefootpreacher.blogspot.com
Every Day Angels – http://www.WeAreEverydayAngels.com
FaithEngineer – http://www.faithengineer.com
Kristen Schiffman – http://dancinginthemargins.typepad.com
CrossPointe: The Church at Bevo – http://churchatbevo.blogspot.com
Crazy Love for God – http://crazyloveforgod.blogspot.com
Amazima Ministries – http://oatsvallteam.blogspot.com
Down to Write Honest – http://downwritehonest.com
A Beautiful Mess – http://blnorth1105.blogspot.com
The Blakes on a Mission – http://www.theblakesthailand.blogspot.com
Words by Jud Kossum – http://judkossum.blogspot.com
Eric Jaffe – http://www.ericjaffe.org
Reconnect with God – http://www.Reconnectwithgod.org
2nd Cup of Coffee – http://www.2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com
Nolan Bobbitt Website – http://www.nolanbobbitt.com
Klappyanne – http://www.xanga.com/klappyanne
Dave Ingland – http://www.daveingland.com
Randi Jo Rooks – http://seedsinmyheart.blogspot.com
Ephesians Five – http://ephesiansonefive.blogspot.com
Michael Bayne – http://www.michaelbayne.net
Encounter Church Helena Blog – http://encounterhelena.org
Thoughts B4 Conviction N2 Action – http://tsharrison.blogspot.com
Edevotion – http://www.e-devotion.blogspot.com
Seeking After – http://seekingafter.blogspot.com
Eric Powell – http://www.encounterhelena.org
Borrowed Light – http://fbcnewlondon.blogspot.com
Related posts:
- Book Review: This Is Your Brain On Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin
- Review: For the Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope by Max Lucado
Tags: frank viola, from here to eternity
