My journey into Frank Viola's writing began a few months ago when I met Frank at a gathering of authors and thinkers. Today there is a "blog circuit" happening where dozens of thought leaders are posting on his important work, entitled From Eternity to Here
The best thing about Frank's work is way he both challenges and inspires. Frank knows how to stretch your mind and poke your heart. He brought fresh insight in From Eternity to Here that had my spirit buzzing in worship.
He says that this book "embodies the central burden of my life and ministry," as it looks at the mission of God in four unique ways:
- It defines the mission of God from God's eternal purpose
- It emphasizes the corporate aspect of divine mission over the individualistic
- It presents a fresh look at the motive and source of Christian service
- It expands our vision of mission beyond the sense of "voluntary association for the saved"
There is a lot I could say about this work, but for now, I will share some thoughts from other you may know as a way to celebrate this book today. The first section on the church as the bride of Christ is worth 10 times more than the price of the book.
"Of all the sticks of TNT that Frank Viola has launched into a sleepy, status quo church, this grenade has the most explosive potential to make the church unashamed of the gospel and to release God's dynamic power for salvation." Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University
"Frank continues to challenge the church-at-large with a powerful mind, an impassioned voice, and a love for the Bride of Christ. You need to get this book and wrestle with Frank through the biblical passages regarding our identity in Christ as His body and the mission our God has entrusted to us." Ed Stetzer, author of Breaking the Missional Code
"As Viola unfolds the glorious story of God's quest for a bride, readers will find their imaginations inspired and their lives transformed. The sheer beauty of God's magnificent plan compels our allegiance and revolutionizes our lives. This re-telling of the 'old, old story' is a much needed gift to the church today." Greg Boyd, pastor, theologian, and author of Letters from a Skeptic, Myth of a Christian Nation, and God at War