Title: The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist
Author: Craig Groeschel
First published March 5, 2010
241 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780310327899 (ISBN10: 031032789X)
Rating: 4.05
Overview
Craig Groeschel, the founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, has written a compelling book about the struggle of being a Christian Atheist. Groeschel reveals that he too was once a Christian Atheist, leading his church as though God didn’t exist.
He takes us through his journey of self-discovery, from his upbringing to the various expressions of faith that he encountered. Groeschel’s story will resonate with both Christians and non-Christians, churched and unchurched alike.
In our world today, where people claim to believe in God but still live as if everything is up to them, Groeschel’s message is more relevant than ever. The Christian Atheist challenges readers to examine their own lives and ask themselves the difficult question: am I putting my whole faith in God but still living as if He doesn’t exist?
About the Author
Life.Church, a multisite church with locations throughout the US and online, was founded by Craig Groeschel. Craig and his wife, Amy, started the church in a two-car garage in Edmond, Oklahoma in 1996.
Despite growth over the years, the church’s mission remains the same: to guide people in becoming fully committed followers of Christ.
Life.Church is renowned for its pioneering use of technology to spread the Gospel. In 2006, they launched the first fully digital church experience, followed by the creation of YouVersion, the most downloaded mobile Bible app in history, in 2008.
Craig is a highly respected church leader who speaks at numerous leadership events and conferences worldwide. He is also a New York Times bestselling author of books on topics ranging from dating and marriage to social media, purpose, direction, and church leadership.
Additionally, he hosts the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, which provides a practical tool for leaders at all levels in any organization to generate fresh ideas and encourage innovative thinking.
Craig and Amy, who married in 1991, have six children and reside in the Edmond, Oklahoma area where Life.Church originated.
Editoral Review
The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist by Craig Groeschel is a thought-provoking and challenging book that examines the disparity between what Christians profess to believe and how they actually live their lives. Groeschel is a bestselling author and the founding pastor of Life.Church, one of the largest churches in the United States, and in this book, he tackles a fundamental question for Christians: why do we often fail to live out our faith in meaningful ways?
The Christian Atheist is a non-fiction book that falls in the genre of Christian literature, but it is not a typical devotional or inspirational book. Instead, it is a deeply introspective work that examines the gap between what Christians say they believe and how they behave.
Groeschel writes with a clear and engaging voice, using compelling stories and poignant insights to drive home his message. The central premise of the book is that many Christians live as though God does not exist, despite their claims to the contrary.
Groeschel identifies several common ways that believers fall into this trap, such as when they prioritize financial success over spiritual growth or when they prioritize their own comfort and convenience over serving others. He argues that these patterns of behavior betray a deep lack of trust in God and a failure to fully embrace the radical message of the Gospel.
The book is divided into ten chapters, each one exploring a different aspect of how Christians live as if God does not exist. Groeschel uses personal anecdotes, biblical stories, and cultural references to illuminate his points, and he is not afraid to ask difficult questions or challenge conventional thinking.
He speaks directly to readers, urging them to examine their own lives and make changes as necessary. One of the strengths of The Christian Atheist is its accessibility.
Groeschel is a gifted communicator, and he has a knack for breaking down complex concepts into simple, understandable language. The book is geared towards a general audience, and it would be equally valuable for new believers and seasoned Christians.
Its message is universal, and anyone who has ever struggled with doubts or felt like their faith was not making a real difference in their lives will find something to relate to here. That being said, the book does have a few weaknesses.
Some readers may find Groeschel’s writing style to be overly simplistic or formulaic. Others may take issue with some of his theological positions or feel that his analysis of certain issues is incomplete.
Nonetheless, these critiques are minor compared to the overall impact of the book, which is to challenge readers to think deeply about the relationship between their beliefs and their actions. In conclusion, The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist is a well-written and insightful book that will help readers examine their faith in a new light.
It is thought-provoking, challenging, and ultimately empowering, as it offers practical suggestions for how to close the gap between professing belief in God and actually living like it. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in exploring these issues in more depth.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars. While the book could be stronger in certain areas, its overall impact is significant and I believe it will be a valuable resource for many readers.
