Every time I read a Craig Groeschel book, I know I’m going to read words that cut right across all of my excuses for not changing. And I was not disappointed to find this pattern continued with his latest book The Christian Atheist.
If the title sounds like an oxymoron (you can read the definition of this funny-sounding word here), that’s because it is. Or is it? The subtitle of the book give the right-on-target definition of a Christian atheist: believing in God by living as if He doesn’t exist.
So every chapter is titled, “When you believe in God, but…”
- …you don’t really know Him.
- …you are ashamed of your past.
- …you aren’t sure He loves you.
- …you don’t think you can change.
- …you don’t share your faith.
- And many more.
It reminds me of what James wrote in his letter to the church, where he called them out for being Christian atheists: “You believe in God? Good for you! Even the demons believe in Him. But you’re not living like you believe in Him.”
Brennan Manning wrote,
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
But Craig doesn’t just identify the symptoms, he gives his readers prescriptions too. In easy-to-apply concepts, Craig tells those who believe in God how they can make the changes that won’t deny God by their atheistic lifestyle.
I highly recommend this book to you.
October 18, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Appreciate this review. I’m intrigued enough to buy the book. (BTW, of the “atheist” items listed, it seems to me that not knowing how God loves the believer just as he loves His son Jesus is the most pernicious.)
April 12, 2011 at 5:47 pm
I picked this book up a month ago. Opened it yesterday and haven’t been able to stop the emotions that course through my body. He reminds me of Tozer (whom i read at NBBC) but in an up to date language that doesn’t leave me holding a dictionary in one hand. This book is challenging, and convicting. And, i have no doubt that God is using it to kick some sense back into me one word at a time.
April 13, 2011 at 9:55 am
Wow, Tozer & Groeschel together… a powerful combination! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Craig Groeschel’s other books like Chazown and it.