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The Christian Atheist
The Christian Atheist, by recovering Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel, is an honest, hard-hitting and eye-opening look into the ways people believe in God but live as if he doesn't exist. From his own lapses in faith as a young man to the painful self-admission he had to make as an established pastor, Groeschel's own journey will immerse you and challenge you into a deepe...more
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(first published 2010)
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Meet Craig Groeschel, he regularly breaks 40% of the Ten Commandments:
Craig hearts God, hanging out at the gym, and trying desperately to launch himself into the stratosphere of Christian High-Living, into the deluxe apartment in the sky that the Christian Superstars like Chapman, Cloud, Olsteen, O'Martin and Warren reside in. The Christian writers who were able to come up with a catchphrase or title and just milk the shit out that bitch for all that it's worth.
I suspected this when I first saw...more
Craig hearts God, hanging out at the gym, and trying desperately to launch himself into the stratosphere of Christian High-Living, into the deluxe apartment in the sky that the Christian Superstars like Chapman, Cloud, Olsteen, O'Martin and Warren reside in. The Christian writers who were able to come up with a catchphrase or title and just milk the shit out that bitch for all that it's worth.
I suspected this when I first saw...more
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As someone who has lived as a "Christian Athiest" for period of time and has been submerged in an environment filled with them, I would recommend this book for any young Christians who are looking to take their faith to the next step. While it starts off slow for the first few chapters, it eventually finds its rhythm and grows stronger as the book goes on. It is a very practical and easy read, as Groeschel gives his own personal life experiences to support his points.
If you are looking for a boo...more
If you are looking for a boo...more
I know that you are probably getting tired of me saying the same word frequently, but Wow! I barely sat the book down from the initiation of the read to completion. Craig Groeschel has written a very transparent look into how we are so often guilty of not living up to what we know to be Scriptural. With a mixture of humor, personal memoir, experience, and solid biblical instruction, Groeschel walks us through the many ways in which we are not living like we truly believe in the God who cares and...more
For about the first seven chapters of this book, I was completely unimpressed. I think this book, to a great extent, talks about what many other books of its kind discuss in much the same way. There is very little here that's new. However, three chapters did get to me: the chapter on worry (chapter 8), the chapter on money (chapter 10), and the chapter on the church (chapter 12). These three chapters offer a higher level of insight than the rest of the book does. I'd probably only give the rest...more
Author Craig Groeschel coins the term “Christian Atheist” to denote a believer who isn’t living his or her life in a way that exhibits that belief. Far from judgmental, this book is an exhortation for the reader to experience a fullness in their relationship with God. Groeschel uses several anecdotes from his own life to explore such weighty topics as shame, love, prayer, worry, and evangelism. Groeschel’s work reads almost like a biography documenting his own journey from Christian atheist to m...more
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This book cuts through my thick feel-good hide and leaves me out to bleed - every drop of guilty blood, guilty of feeling like a Christian but not acting like one. I suspect many are like me: believing in God, wanting to please Him, even holding His words deep in our hearts - yet not doing 1% of what we're supposed to do if we claim to be His followers. Why do I cringe whenever I hear the word "tithe" (giving 10% of your salary to church)? Why do I pursue happiness as if it is the real god? Why...more
Aug 01, 2011
Kelly Belvis
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-interest
It took me a little while to appreciate how helpful "The Christian Athiest" by Craig Groeschel would be. At first it seemed like a straight forward treatise on common themes: forgiveness, faith, worry, money, problems with church. Groeschel asserts that while we may very well be Christians we often conduct our lives and especially our inadequacies as if we were athiests. The standout here is that Groeschel openly shares some of his biggest failures. I immediately wanted to embrace his advice bec...more
I always find it interesting to read or listen to fundamentalists talk about how people other than themselves do not have faith pure enough to get into heaven. This whole book judges the faith of other people for not being fundamentalist Christians. The author has a discontinuous interpretation of the Bible which he fails to effectively express in his narrative. Really, this book is for people who already believe in God, but aren't all that active in their own faith. It is also for privileged, m...more
I had really big hopes for this book. It has a catchy title and a topic that I'm passionate about. The author has an easy to read style of writing. Unfortunately, the author lost me when every single chapter was turned into a sermon. I finally just started skimming through each chapter until I got to the last one - the one I was really hoping would be worth reading - "When you believe in God but not in His Church". Unfortuntately this chapter fell as flat as the others before it. Instead of addr...more
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I definitely believe in God and I definitely have set limits on where God is and is not welcome in my life and how far he can go!
This book helps me consider my position and my response - to live as though I really believed in God for every area of my life.
So as I reflect I can then see I have 3 options:
1. I can deny I'm making any compromises in how I follow Jesus.
2. I can accept I'm making compromises, but sort of pragmatically refuse to do anything about it (none of us are perfect after all an...more
This book helps me consider my position and my response - to live as though I really believed in God for every area of my life.
So as I reflect I can then see I have 3 options:
1. I can deny I'm making any compromises in how I follow Jesus.
2. I can accept I'm making compromises, but sort of pragmatically refuse to do anything about it (none of us are perfect after all an...more
Us as humans make christianity harder than what it really is, everything that the author, Craig Groeschel was honest, caring and open. I liked how he opened himself up and made a couple of funny stories while passing. When the chapters or words that related to me i just kept nodding and was answering yes to questions or what he had to say. Even though a book might not help some people be a third line christian this book is good to figure out what problems you might be having or whats making you...more
Groeschel gets it right in this book. He lays it out so that everyone can understand what he's saying. With many personal examples Craig lays out what it means to believe in God but live like He doesn't exist. After reading through this book I was seriously convicted that I didn't want to live like everyone else.
In this book, Craig tackles topics like believing in the power of prayer or faith. May favorite chapter talked about how worry and stress is a sign that we do not fully trust in our Lor...more
In this book, Craig tackles topics like believing in the power of prayer or faith. May favorite chapter talked about how worry and stress is a sign that we do not fully trust in our Lor...more
After taking some time off of Christianbooks since reading Radical, which totally scared the crap out of me and was incredibility convicting, I have picked up another book. I'm now reading The Christian Atheist. http://christianatheist.com/
This book still has the potential to be convicting, but it's not so in your face about what a bad Christian you are from the get go as Radical was. Seriously, I thought I was going to hell after reading chapter one of that book. Here is a sneak peak of The Chr...more
This book still has the potential to be convicting, but it's not so in your face about what a bad Christian you are from the get go as Radical was. Seriously, I thought I was going to hell after reading chapter one of that book. Here is a sneak peak of The Chr...more
I don't disagree with most of what Groeschel has to say, but this book was very disappointing.
Instead of addressing the topic in an insightful way, this book reads like any other self help book with verses from the Bible and Christian themes thrown in every so often.
I can't stand the way these kinds of books are written. They follow the same structure chapter after chapter, starting with a story, then moving on to some kind of lesson, then failing to live up to that lesson, then another story,...more
Instead of addressing the topic in an insightful way, this book reads like any other self help book with verses from the Bible and Christian themes thrown in every so often.
I can't stand the way these kinds of books are written. They follow the same structure chapter after chapter, starting with a story, then moving on to some kind of lesson, then failing to live up to that lesson, then another story,...more
Mr. Groeschel knows how to put together a sentence and make you think about it long after it has been read.
It often amazes me the state that Christianity is in, but it's easy to see why so few even care anymore. We like the idea of an afterlife but want a life here too. No one wants to choose. And who can blame them--I'm in the same boat.
This book might point a few more in the right direction, make a few more reconsider their position, and maybe even show a few non-believers a reason to believe....more
It often amazes me the state that Christianity is in, but it's easy to see why so few even care anymore. We like the idea of an afterlife but want a life here too. No one wants to choose. And who can blame them--I'm in the same boat.
This book might point a few more in the right direction, make a few more reconsider their position, and maybe even show a few non-believers a reason to believe....more
In this book, Craig used the term 'Christian Atheist' to call Christians who only 'believe' in God, but don't know Him personally; those who call themselves Christians, but pretty much looks the same with everyone else. I'm amazed with his honesty to open up his past embarrassing, sinful life to show how Christ changed him thoroughly.
Divided into distinct spiritual aspects (where the differences between Christian Atheists and true Christians take place) in 12 chapters, "The Christian Atheist" i...more
Divided into distinct spiritual aspects (where the differences between Christian Atheists and true Christians take place) in 12 chapters, "The Christian Atheist" i...more
Started off a bit slow, but ended strong. Author makes the case that there are basically three kinds of people out there: 1) Non-Believers; 2) Christian-Atheists; and 3) True Christians. Groeschel's argument is that the majority of "Christians" out there are really Christian-atheists; they say they are believers in Christ but live their lives in contradiction to that belief. Thus, Christianity has, in many ways, become a watered down faith that has lost its meaning and purpose and in the process...more
A phenomenal read--I agree with a quote on the cover--this book is a classic in the making! The Christian Atheist will challenge you to wake up and LIVE like you actually believe in God. Some of the chapter highlights include "Believing in God but Still Worrying All the Time", "Believing in God but You Can't Get Over Your Past", "Believing God but Seeking Happiness at Any Cost", etc...
Stop going to church for the formality of it and explore a rich relationship with God! Live every part of your...more
Stop going to church for the formality of it and explore a rich relationship with God! Live every part of your...more
This is not one of my favorite books by Groeschel. I really loved his other books (It and Confessions of a Christian Pastor) so this was a must for me.
In this book, he hits the topic of Christians who live their lives as if God doesn't exist. At the time of reading this book, I needed to hear it. It is not the deepest book for the head but it is one that points to the heart. His stories are very personal and it is one where all can connect.
If you are struggling in your walk with God, this is a...more
In this book, he hits the topic of Christians who live their lives as if God doesn't exist. At the time of reading this book, I needed to hear it. It is not the deepest book for the head but it is one that points to the heart. His stories are very personal and it is one where all can connect.
If you are struggling in your walk with God, this is a...more
The book The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel consists of personal events from Craig's life and how he overcame being a christian atheist. This book would be good for both mature teenagers and adults who are looking to better their christian walk. Throughout the book Craig talks about what exactly a christian atheist is and how they act. To put it simply, a christian atheist is someone who believes that God is real, but they live as if he doesn't exist. Craig gives his personal experiences a...more
I like the fit of the author's style to the topic of the book. Essentially, the author explains for each topic of "disconnection," how professing Christians act more like an atheist than a faithful believer.
These topics include various matters where our human condition and culture keep us from fully trusting the Father to meet our needs and desires.
What makes the book shine is the author's transparent testimony of failures. Given the cultural challenges of our day, churchgoers are drawn to authe...more
These topics include various matters where our human condition and culture keep us from fully trusting the Father to meet our needs and desires.
What makes the book shine is the author's transparent testimony of failures. Given the cultural challenges of our day, churchgoers are drawn to authe...more
This book was a fairly fast read. Groeschel divides his book into chapters that address ways in which Christians' lives undermine their claims to faith--things such as not believing in the power of prayer, continuing to worry incessantly, amassing wealth as a safety blanket, etc. My main complaint about the book is that the author seems to assume that his readers all had a dramatic conversion experience with clear lifestyle changes. Even so, he had many interesting points to make that drew atten...more
This is a great follow-up to "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.
Groeschel gently and pointedly highlights areas in which those who think they believe in God live as though He didn't exist, covering subjects from prayer to forgiveness. The book is sprinkled generously with personal stories of Groeschel's own spiritual journey.
It is not written down to the audience from a lofty perch of perfection; it comes from a man who has been and is dealing with these issues in his own interactions with G...more
Groeschel gently and pointedly highlights areas in which those who think they believe in God live as though He didn't exist, covering subjects from prayer to forgiveness. The book is sprinkled generously with personal stories of Groeschel's own spiritual journey.
It is not written down to the audience from a lofty perch of perfection; it comes from a man who has been and is dealing with these issues in his own interactions with G...more
Am I a Christian atheist? That was the question that I kept asking myself throughout the book. Containing a good mixture of relevant everyday situations that we as Christians find ourselves in and good scripture based teaching, this book will cause you to take an introspective look at your own faith and challenge you to go farther and deeper in your walk with God. My favorite section of the book was actually the afterword when he talks about the three lines of Christianity. I won't go into detai...more
This was a pretty good book. It had a lot of good stuff in it that will make many people think. I can't say I agreed with everything Groeschel said but I definitely appreciate the questions that he asked. I believe these questions that all Christians have to ask themselves at some point.
At times the book was disappointing because it seemed to stop just short where it needed to go. Perhaps Groeschel was simply looking to create a hunger in people for more? The trouble I had is that there was, in...more
At times the book was disappointing because it seemed to stop just short where it needed to go. Perhaps Groeschel was simply looking to create a hunger in people for more? The trouble I had is that there was, in...more
This is a book that is going to challenge you in your relationship with God. How well do you know Him? is it like the way you know your spouse or best friend? That's just one of the challenging questions Groeschel asks in this book, which he admits that he himself was a Christian Atheist. He makes you sit back and think about the times you really try to take back control of our lives when things get scary or out of hand, instead of trusting with our whole heart and mind in a powerful, loving, an...more
I have just finished rereading this book. There is really no way that I could recommend it too highly. Each time I have read this book up I end up completely captivated by it and finish it within a couple of days.
Groeschel's title says it all. Each chapter is devoted to discussing a way that we live as though God does not exist though we claim to believe in Him. Though this sounds as though it could come across as judgemental or pious, it does not. The examples of failing in his faith are all pe...more
Groeschel's title says it all. Each chapter is devoted to discussing a way that we live as though God does not exist though we claim to believe in Him. Though this sounds as though it could come across as judgemental or pious, it does not. The examples of failing in his faith are all pe...more
I tried to get into this book. I really did. But I couldn't. I picked it up off the shelf when it first came out because I was intrigued by the title. In fact, I bought it so soon after its release that I have the hardcover copy sitting here in front of me as I type this. The title drew me in because I do feel like even though I do believe in Jesus, I sometimes live as if I don't actually believe. I'm not sure how I thought this book would help me through this, but what I ended up finding in the...more
We’ve all been there. We pray for something, and don’t get an answer. We’re told to tithe, but don’t think we can squeeze the money out of our budgets. We know we are supposed to trust God, but find ourselves obsessing over problems. And it’s getting harder and harder to drag ourselves to church. The people there just don’t fit our ideas of what a Christian should be.
The result, as author Craig Groeschel points out in his book The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn’t E...more
The result, as author Craig Groeschel points out in his book The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn’t E...more
Good book if you don't read the Afterword.
The title of this book tells you automatically that it is going to be a challenging read. The idea behind “Christian Atheist” is that while many people call themselves “Christians” or “followers of Christ,” it is rare to find people that take their discipleship under Christ seriously.
Groeschel, the pastor of LifeChurch.tv and innovator in the “satellite church” phenomenon, leads you through 12 different “When you believe in God, but…” scenarios. These sc...more
The title of this book tells you automatically that it is going to be a challenging read. The idea behind “Christian Atheist” is that while many people call themselves “Christians” or “followers of Christ,” it is rare to find people that take their discipleship under Christ seriously.
Groeschel, the pastor of LifeChurch.tv and innovator in the “satellite church” phenomenon, leads you through 12 different “When you believe in God, but…” scenarios. These sc...more
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Craig Groeschel (born December 2, 1967) is the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, a church with thirteen locations in six states. He is married with six children and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, where LifeChurch.tv is based.
Groeschel was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in southern Oklahoma, attending Ardmore High School. He attended Oklahoma City University, a...more
More about Craig Groeschel...
Groeschel was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in southern Oklahoma, attending Ardmore High School. He attended Oklahoma City University, a...more
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“God doesn't want us to be happy when it causes us to do something wrong or unwise”
—
8 people liked it
“Shame usually follows a pattern—a cycle of self-recrimination and lies that claims life after life. First, we experience an intensely painful event. Second, we believe the lie that our pain and failure is who we are—not just something we’ve done, or had done to us—and we experience shame. And finally, our feelings of shame trap us into thinking that we can never recover—that, in fact, we don’t even deserve to.”
—
3 people liked it
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