Christian Atheist
When You Believe in God but Trust More in Money
September 26, 2010 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 6:19–21, Luke 16:10, 2 Chronicles 11:16, Luke 12:34, Genesis 4:2–5
The topic of money is discussed throughout the entire Bible. The reason so much attention is placed on finances is found in Ecclesiastes 5:10. In that verse we read, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” Truly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is impossible to love money and live a life of generosity. Money is the number one competitor of your heart.
When You Believe in God but Do Life Alone
September 12, 2010 • Chris Edmondson • 1 Peter 5:8–9, Hebrews 10:22–25
One of the most insidious lies that many have believed is that I can be a Christian and be okay with God and NOT be connected to the church and the people of God. That “Me and God can do this Christian thing without the church and without the people inside the church.” The problem is that You can’t be a growing Christian and not be connected to a church. Because life is too tough. Everyone gets discouraged. Everyone needs help. Everyone needs God, yes, but everyone needs other relationships.
When You Believe in God, But Life Falls Apart
October 3, 2010 • Chris Edmondson • Ephesians 2:10, Genesis 37, Genesis 39
A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God but lives as if He does not exist. A lot of people say they believe in God—94% in a recent Gallup poll. But our actions always speak louder than our words. Our actions tell us what we really believe and who we really worship. Have you ever believed in God, but your life didn’t turn out the way you thought? Ever believed in God, but your circumstances was riddled with conflict, problems, and tension? Think of the struggles and conflicts in your life and ask, “What would I do or say in those difficult moments if I were absolutely confident that God was with me?”
When You Believe in God But Keep It A Secret
August 29, 2010 • Chris Edmondson • Acts 8
Have you gone public with your relationship with Jesus? Have you been baptized? Why not? Many times, we become Christian Atheists because we say we believe in God, but we keep our association with Jesus a secret. There tends to be a lot of confusion surrounding baptism. And while the topic often evokes strong emotions, it is not a subject in which people have much to draw from, other than their own experience. For this reason we will spend some time exploring what the Bible has to say about baptism.
When you Believe in God But Don’t Love Others
August 15, 2010 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 22:37–39, Revelation 2:1–7, John 13:34
A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God but lives as if He does not exist. Anne Rice, who wrote the book Interview with the Vampire, became a Christ Follower back in 2000. This past week Anne Rice announced that she is quitting Christianity. “Today I quit being a Christian. Though my faith in Christ is central to my life, it's simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. You see, Rice isn't leaving Jesus. She is leaving organized Christianity—she is leaving the church! Rice loves Jesus, she just doesn’t like the church! God drew Anne Rice to Jesus and the church. And you know what? The church pushed Anne Rice away. Is that how it’s supposed to be?
When you Believe in God But Don’t Really Know Him
August 8, 2010 • Chris Edmondson • James 2:19, Matthew 7:13–23, John 14:6
A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God but lives as if He does not exist. 94% of Americans say they believe in God. But 94% of Americans really don’t know God. I mean, really know Him intimately. They know facts. They believe. But belief isn’t the same as personal knowledge. Maybe you’re thinking, “I believe in God. Isn’t that enough? I mean, a lot of people don’t believe in God, but I do! Isn’t that what He wants from me?” Those are fair questions. But believing in God isn’t all He wants from us.
Spiritual or Superstitious?
August 1, 2010 • Chris Edmondson • Acts 12, Hebrews 11:32–40
A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God but lives as if He does not exist. Many of us act like Christian Atheists when we pray, not really believing that God will intervene. In Acts chapter 12, we see first hand how some prayers are answered and others are not. James is put to death by the sword and Peter is rescued from prison by angels, yet the church had prayed for both James and Peter. But God said “yes” to one prayer and “no” to the other. When we see this in scripture and in our own lives, we are forced to acknowledge the Sovereignty of a Holy, all-knowing God.