Pastor’s Post
“Christian Atheist”
A “Christian Atheist” (a term coined by Craig Groeschel (and wrote a book on, which you can borrow if you want)), is simply defined as some who “believes God exists but lives as if He doesn’t exist”. Have you ever met someone who fits that description? You can find them everywhere. You can find them in the pulpit on Sunday mornings, in the home of a single parent trying to raise their children on their own, and you can find them passing you along the streets or down the aisle at the local grocery store. You can even find one looking back at you in the mirror every morning.
The idea of the “Christian Atheist” comes from Titus 1:16. “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.”
There are a lot of people who makes claims. In this day and age, pretty much anyone can say anything, and
we are taught to accept “their truth” and not to question them. People make claims to “know God” (to have a personal relationship with God, through trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior). Some are very loud and proud about it; sporting Christian logo’s, attending church regularly, and even putting bumper stickers all over their car. Some are very quiet, to the point that not many people even know they claim to know God. People from both ends of the spectrum fit into this category of claiming to know God, and then living like God doesn’t really exist.
It’s not the person who “claims” something, that is proved to be true and genuine. It’s the person who lives out whatever they are “claiming”. In this case the faith they claim they have is proven by their actions.
In looking at, or acting like a “Christian Atheist” today, we may see the very descriptive words from Paul to Titus “detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good” fitting perfectly into 2024 as obvious proof that someone is claiming one thing, but proving something else by how they live. But there are other ways to play the part of a “Christian Atheist”.
–I have a need, but never seriously take it to the Lord in prayer.
–I know what the scripture says, but I choose to do what I want instead.
–I don’t really know God. I don’t spend time with God to get to know him.
–I trust something else more than God. I rely on what’s in my bank account, my spouse, or some other relationship as my source of hope and peace, and safety.
–I don’t share God with others. I made sure I asked Jesus to by my Savior, but I haven’t really told anyone else about my faith, or what Jesus has done for them.
*Please note: We all can, at times, play the part of the “Christian Atheist”. The point of this isn’t to beat us down, bring us shame, or question our salvation. The point is to recognize that we can find ourselves living like this, so be conscious of our behaviors, so we live the part of the “Christian Atheist” no more!
Praying for Revival,
~Pastor Josh