The Christian Atheist

There’s a new book out right now called The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel. The idea of the book is fascinating. It is about how so many people lives their lives saying they believe in God, saying that they believe in Jesus, they say they are Christians but they live as if he does not exist. In other words, their belief does not influence their lives. They do not practice what they preach. Religiously they are Christians, but their lives and actions seem like that of atheists.

Groeschel says that in a way we are all recovering Christian atheists. We all have to fight daily to have our faith and deeds match up. He says that you may be a Christian atheist if you believe in God but don’t really know Him. When you believe in God but are ashamed of your past. When you believe in God but aren’t sure he loves you. When you believe in God but not in prayer. When you believe in God but don’t think he is fair. When you believe in God but won’t forgive. When you believe in God but don’t think you can change. When you believe in God but still worry all the time. When you believe in God but pursue happiness at any cost. When you believe in God but trust money more. When you believe in God but don’t share you faith. When you believe in God but not in His church.

I find it to be an intriguing yet disturbingly correct assessment of our present struggles to match our faith with our lives. We never want to be guilty of claiming to “know God, but by their actions they deny him” (Titus 1:16). May God continue to guide us as strive to live blameless and holy lives for Him.