Book Review: The Christian Atheist

THE CHRISTIAN ATHEIST, Believing in God but Living as If He Doesn’t Exist

Craig Groeschel
Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI (2010)

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Pastor Craig Groeschel uses the term “Christian Atheism” to describe those of us who believe in God but live as if He doesn’t exist.

In this book, Christian Atheism is described as:

When You Believe in God but

• don’t really know Him
• are ashamed of your past
• aren’t sure He loves you
• not in prayer
• don’t think He’s fair
• won’t forgive
• don’t think you can change
• still worry all the time
• pursue happiness at any cost
• trust more in money
• don’t share your faith
• not in His church (body of Christ).

Pastor Groeschel points out that many Christians believe in God and the gospel of Christ only to win God’s favor and avoid going to hell. Or, perhaps, some of us may be willing to follow Christ as long as it doesn’t cost too much. However, being a follower of Christ requires us to give our whole life to Him. That means that nothing in this world is more important than our treasure in heaven. No fear in our heart is greater than our fear in God. We desire nothing more than we desire all of God. We are called to a wholly surrendered, Spirit-filled, kingdom-driven life.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:25-26.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel.” Acts 20:24

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

meet the reviewer: jon schommer

Jon Schommer grew up in Calumetville, Wisconsin (dairy farm country) and currently lives in Woodbury, Minnesota. He has been married for 21 years to Lisa and they have two children; Dave aged 16 and Emily 14. Jon’s hobbies include gardening and hiking. During the summer, he enjoys golfing once or twice and during the winter he enjoys ice fishing a few times. Jon earned his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and currently is a professor at the University of Minnesota.