The Christian Atheist
By Joseph Justice
It is always a pleasure and a relief when I finish a “Christian” book and can honestly say that the author’s primary conviction is to bring glory to Christ. Such is pastor Craig Groeschel’s message in his 2010 book put out by Zondervan, titled “The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn’t Exist.”
Early Calling
Pastor Groeschel has been serving the Lord for most of his life, having answered God’s call to the pastorate in his mid-twenties, and is the senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv. What began as a small church in Edmond, Oklahoma, has now turned into an ever-growing multi-campus church with over 80 weekly services spread across 14 locations.
The Lord has clearly blessed Groeschel’s ministry and I am convinced that this is due to one thing in particular — Craig’s profound desire to see radical Christ-centered change in the lives of ordinary men and women. If there is one overarching point pastor Groeschel hopes the reader will take away from his book, it is this: hope in Jesus Christ, and be powerfully changed by him.
Christian & Atheist?
So, what does Craig mean by the term “Christian Atheist?” A “Christian Atheist” is a useful expression that helps to explain the majority of people in the church today. The term describes people in the church from all walks of life who intellectually consent to the truths of Christianity but who, for various reasons as discussed in each of his chapters, do not orient their lives around their beliefs in any real and practical way.
This can, of course, very quickly lead to complacency, hypocrisy and ultimately a lack of faith in the true changing power of the living God in the lives of his children. It is towards this phenomenon of intellectually believing, but not consistently and practically living out one’s faith in Christ, that Craig is interested in talking about.
Important Questions
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How do you know if you are a Christian Atheist? According to Craig, ask yourself these two basic questions — “Has God transformed you?” and “Are you different because of Him?”
If not, perhaps you’re a Christian Atheist” (p. 43). With a combination of practical illustrative stories from his experience as a pastor, and numerous scripture references, Craig tells the story of every man and woman who has ever struggled with living out their faith in Christ and that would be each of us. The most important part is that it is never too late for a lapsed child of God to come crawling back into the arms of his loving Father.
Topical Chapters
The book is laid out in 12 topical chapters that begin with the words, “When you Believe in God but…” filled in with the appropriate topic at hand. For instance, the first chapter is called “When You Believe in God but Don’t Really Know Him,” and chapter 6, “When You Believe in God but Won’t Forgive,” and in chapter 10, “When You Believe in God but Trust More in Money,” and so on. This is a particularly useful way of laying out the chapters as it makes it easy to navigate to whatever topic you may want to read about.
Let’s face it: we all struggle with varying types of sin. For instance, some of us are constantly tempted by greed and the false security money provides, while for some, money is not the major issue at all, rather it is learning to forgive those who have hurt them in the past. So, whether you struggle with all or just some of the issues Craig discusses as hindrances to spiritual growth in Christ, the book lends itself well to being read straight through or by simply reading the chapters that are applicable to your life.
Personal Application
Pastor Craig writes with a deep passion for his ministerial calling, coupled with an all too comfortable understanding of the destructiveness of active sin in the lives of believers. His habit of using his own life experiences as examples of sin to show how God can bring good in the bleakest of situations, makes his style of writing relatable and encouraging to those struggling with similar events. Overall, this book is well worth the read for anyone desiring to gain practical and spiritual advice on how to enter into a richer and more genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
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This is truly a well-written review. It caused me to reflect upon my own life, and the life I am living for Christ. I can honestly say that I would like to read Groeschel’s book, as I know that as a Christian, everyone has different mountains in their life that they must overcome. The content of the book seems like it would be helpful to both Christians and non-Christians. For example, so many people struggle with forgiveness. I know I surely do. I will definitely look into reading this book. Blessings!
Thanks, Krista. I’ll let the writer know about your comments.
As Joe tells it, Groeschel’s book is a fairly easy, but heart-penetrating read. It should give us all pause to examine where we’re at with the Lord. Thankfully, God always leaves the door open for us to recognize and repent from our sins. As Christians, we can claim His forgiveness. For sinners, that same forgiveness is just a prayer away.
Thanks for the comments you two! Indeed, this book has helped me to reassess some areas of sin in my own life. Every day is a new day to follow our Lord and as you say Matt, forgiveness is always just a prayer away.
You’re welcome, Joseph.
Just an FYI — the theme I was using came with a virus and has been replaced. The current theme doesn’t automatically include your name, therefore I have inserted a byline. I plan on coming up with a new theme, one that looks clean and is virus-free. Stay tuned!
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