From Eternity to Here Questions

Today I am participating in a “blog circuit event” promoting Frank Viola’s most recent book, “From Eternity to Here”. Bloggers have been given the chance to ask Frank a couple of questions regarding the book, and everyone is posting his replies today. I wanted to ask some real, honest questions as opposed to simple blog filler. However the book is pretty straight forward, so my questions ended up focusing on practically working out the implications of the big picture of what Frank wrote about in the book. In doing so I seem to have (unintentionally) not really asked question about this book, but ask questions which he plans to address in his next book, scheduled to be released this fall (really early promotion *wink wink*). I hope to write an actual review of “From Eternity to Here”, but for now I will leave you with the Q & A. I want to thank Mr. Viola for taking the time to answer these questions, and I strongly recommend all of his books.

• Question: The ekklesia is a community, but it is more than just a community. My impression is that there is a difference between Christians meeting together in community, and them truly forming an ekklesia. Would you agree, and if so, could you clarify the difference and speak about how a group moves toward being an ekklesia?Frank Viola:
  

  The issue is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is Head of the church. He’s also its Life. Those aren’t theological statement. They can be experienced as reality. Therefore, properly conceived, an ekklesia is a community of believers who lives a shared life in Christ. They enthrone Him as Head of their gatherings, their community life, and they are learning to live by His indwelling life. All first-century Christians understood the church in this way. I develop this in my book REIMAGINING CHURCH. From Eternity to Here doesn’t deal with church practice, but instead, the grand mission of God.

• Question: How does a group of people, in reality, form a community when people in our culture are busy, have conflicting schedules, and there is a lot of transience—people moving between cities, jobs, schools, activities, social groups, etc.?Frank Viola:
  

  This is a very large question. I address it in my upcoming book which comes out in the Fall. It describes how Christian communities which are founded on Jesus Christ are started and sustained. It’s a very involved matter.

  In From Eternity to Here, I don’t deal with such questions. Instead, this book focuses on the matter of God’s eternal purpose. What is it? How can it be worked out? How does it effect the way we read the Bible and relate to other believers, no matter what type of church they belong to. It’s an issue that goes straight to why God created. So many Christians and churches lack purpose. Or their purpose doesn’t line up with God’s ultimate purpose. This is what the book explores.

OTHER BLOGS PARTICIPATING IN THE “FROM ETERNITY TO HERE” BLOG CIRCUIT

Today (June 9th), the following blogs are discussing Frank Viola’s new bestselling book “From Eternity to Here” (David C. Cook, 2009). The book just hit the May CBA Bestseller List. Some are posting Q & A with Frank; others are posting full reviews of the book. To read more reviews and order a copy at a 33% discount, go to Amazon.com:

For more resources, such as downloadable audios, the free Discussion Guide, the Facebook Group page, etc. go to the official website.

Enjoy the reviews and the Q and A: