The thing Ive always appreciated about Craig is his willingness to be honest when his life doesnt match up with the Scriptures. Too many people are quick to make excuses for themselves and others who call themselves Christian. Craig challenges us to think deeply, honestly, and fearfully about how our lives may be contradicting our message.
F RANCIS C HAN , pastor and author, Crazy Love
In The Christian Atheist , Craig leverages transparency to force the rest of us to take an honest look at the contrast between how we live and what we claim to believe. Craigs vulnerability, coupled with his fresh insights, will move you to begin realigning behavior with beliefs.
A NDY STANLEY , senior pastor, North Pointe Community Church
Craig Groeschel is a brilliant communicator and a gift to the church worldwide. He has a way of saying the things we are all thinking with an approachable authority that resonates with the ups and downs of our daily walk with God. Craigs genuine heart to see your lifes journey flourish, and his honest perspective on personal experiences, will quietly convict your heart and encourage your soul.
B RIAN H OUSTON , senior pastor, Hillsong Church
Church people always talk about Christians and non-Christians, but nobody ever talks about the people in-between. Most of the men and women I talk to every day fall into that middle ground, the group that believes in God but lives like hes not there, doesnt care, or doesnt matter. In The Christian Atheist , Pastor Craig Groeschel hits this audience head-on, opening up about his own doubts and fears, while setting the table for hundreds of life-changing discussions about who God is and how he operates.
D AVE R AMSEY
There are too many Christian Atheists in the church today, and through this book, Craig Groeschel challenges the genuineness of faith in the life of the self-proclaimed believer. The Christian Atheist will cause you to move from head knowledge to heart knowledge. This is a must-read for every Christian.
J ENTEZEN F RANKLIN , senior pastor, Free Chapel, New York Times bestselling author of Fasting
Craigs insights and candor combine to make this book a true gift to atheists of all kinds!
B ILL H YBELS , senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, and chairman of the board, Willow Creek Association
The Christian Atheist will challenge you, push you, and disturb you. It will redefine your sense of purpose and focus as a Christian. Every Christian today needs to read this book. Craigs gut-level honesty is refreshing and will help move you toward a life that is fully devoted to Christ. Too many of us live lives that dont truly reflect who we are as followers of Christ. But the good news is we can change. True Christianity awaits us. And Craig provides a practical prescription for how to get there.
B RAD L OMENICK , president, Catalyst
S ITTING NEXT TO TOTAL STRANGERS ON AIRPLANES PROVIDES limitless entertainment and surprisesespecially if youre a pastor, like I am.
Before some unsuspecting traveler finds out what I do for a living, our exchanges are usually effortless and fun. But as soon as they uncover my profession, the conversation takes a turn. Sometimes our discussion becomes more meaningful, drawing on a common spiritual bond. Other times it grows heated, as the person unloads their doubts, confusion, or spiritual hurts. Sometimes plugged-in headphones and closed eyes leave no doubt that the talk is over.
On a recent trip, I had two flights before reaching my destination. On my first flight, I sat next to Travis, a middle-aged, married father of two, who was headed home from an unsuccessful business trip. On my next flight, I sat next to Michelle, an exceptionally witty and bright twenty-three-year- old grad student starting her summer break. Both were tired. Both were anxious to get home.
And both were atheiststhough very different kinds.
Travis was the conventional sort. Like most atheists, he denied the existence of God altogether. He didnt pray, didnt read the Bible, didnt attend church. The only thing he liked about Christianity was poking fun at television preachers. He made himself laugh out loud as he affected a thick, syrupy accent: I dont believe in GAW-duh!
During the first part of our flight, we discussed Traviss struggling commercial real estate business. Two years ago he was on top of the world, routinely cutting deals in several markets. Now he couldnt negotiate prices at a yard sale. The weakened economy and a smaller income had forced him to make significant lifestyle changes, but Travis expressed quiet hope that things would return to normal soon.
After openly sharing some of his professional challenges, Travis asked me what kind of business I was in. Sticking with business language, I explained that Im in the spiritual businessthe pastor of a church.
Thats when Travis pounced: So youre a minister? Doing his best to remain cordial, he asked in an obviously sarcastic tone, I guess that means you believe in a literal seven-day creation, huh? Before I could even respond, he began blurting out his rapid anti-Christian barrage. No disrespect meant, but Christians are the weakest people alive. They use Christianity as a crutch to avoid the real world. And the more vocal they are about their religion, the more hypocritical they are. After several minutes of uninterrupted ranting, Travis snapped out of his tirade. Almost as if to offer a truce, he said, Well, if there is an eternity, Im sure youll be in good shape since youre a pastor, and Im guessing Ill come out as good as most people.
The rest of our conversation was pleasant. He didnt change my views about God, and I didnt change his. We both hoped the economy would improve soon and parted with a friendly farewell.
Michelle, the young grad student I sat next to on my second flight, is an entirely different kind of atheista Christian Atheist.
Christian Atheists are everywhere. They attend Catholic churches, Baptist churches, Pentecostal churches, nondenominational churches, and even churches where the pastor says, GAW-duh! when hes preaching. They attend big seminaries, Big Ten universities, and every college in between. They are every age and race and occupationand some even read their Bibles every day.
Christian Atheists look a lot like Christians, but they live a lot like Travis.
Before our plane took off, Michelle struck up a conversation. Somewhat nervous about flying, she seemed eager to talk, as if our chat might make the flight pass more quickly. After describing her difficulties with balancing her checkbook and handling her divorced parents and her live-in boyfriendwhos scared to death of marriageshe asked me about my life.
Creating a diversion from my Im a pastor answer, I explained that I am married and have six children. Six kids?! Dont you know what causes kids? she joked.
After some more small talk, Michelle asked me what I do for a living. No longer able to dodge the inevitable, I answered, Well, as a matter of fact, Im the pastor of a church.
This revelation gave Michelle permission to unleash a stream of Christian words and stories. Dropping the occasional God told me and God is good, she smiled softly as she described how she gave her life to Jesus at the age of fifteen at a Christian youth camp. After praying sincerely, she was eager to get back to school to share her faith and live a life of purity and spiritual integrity. Michelle held on to her new belief in God but soon slipped back into her old way of life.