I recently learned a new term that’s actually been around for a few decades: Christian Atheism. I thought, “How could that be? How could one profess to be a Christian, literally a Christ-follower, and at the same time be an atheist, one who doesn’t believe in the existence of God?”
I was genuinely puzzled. Who were these people? What new thing could they possibly be professing?
I began to research and read what the beliefs and practices of Christian atheists were. Here is some of what I found: What is “Christian atheism”? and Pew Forum article The Religious Landscape by Marital Status
Characteristics like adhering to the teachings of Jesus without believing in the miraculous or the divine, reducing God to a human construct, and humanity’s accepting sole responsibility and power for reformation emerged. Quickly, the familiar faded odor of another, much older faith system wafted across my soul. Then I recognized it for what it was: unbelief. “Christian atheism” is the latest term for unbelief.
What is troubling is that half of our culture is single, and many singles who profess to be believers are really acting like “Christian atheists.” Click To Tweet
Related contemporary labels include liberalism, the social gospel, the new atheism, and Christian secularism. Apparently the idea that one could profess to be a believer, but deny everything the Bible and the cross of Calvary stood for, has been around for a long time.
The Word of God has many terms for that person who is not a Christ-follower: unbeliever (1 Corinthians 6:14), not believed (Psalm 78:22), wicked (Psalm 34:21), evildoers and wrongdoers (Psalm 37:1), having an evil and unbelieving heart (Hebrews 3:12), a fool (Psalm 14:1), and disobedient to the Word (1 Peter 3:1).
What is troubling is that half of our culture is single, and many singles who profess to be believers are really acting like “Christian atheists.”
Externally, they say they believe in God, believe in Jesus, and think we should be good people and live by Jesus’ teachings or the Ten Commandments. They may go to church every week. Perhaps they even participate regularly in smaller study groups, ministry, and church leadership. Yet, if one were to look at their lifestyles, attitudes, and values overall, something is amiss.
Their character, values, and behavior haven’t changed. They continue to live according to their fleshly desires. They will argue about “gray areas” and blatantly disobey God in specific commands; eg. they’re having premarital sex or living with their boyfriends/girlfriends, using carnal means of capturing dating partners, physically and emotionally abusing their dates, vying for positions of authority or influence at work or in ministry by manipulation or deceit, or ignoring their children in favor of pursuing a future boyfriend/girlfriend.
Their lives betray and deny their words. Despite their professions, they live as though God does not exist.
I’m not trying to be judgmental, but these lifestyles and more are not fit for someone claiming to be a person of faith and a child of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The Word of God is clear that we cannot only claim to be believers; we must be followers. The phrase, “action speaks louder than words,” has never been truer than when applied to matters of practical faith.
These scriptures come to mind:
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 MSG
They will maintain a facade of “religion”, but their conduct will deny its validity. You must keep clear of people like this. 2 Timothy 3:5 PHILLIPS
True faith—saving faith—produces outward evidence of an inner reality. It cannot be helped; it is the nature of faith.
We cannot eat at the table of God, my dear single brothers and sisters, and fellowship with the devil and his henchmen. If we want the “status” of being a follower of Christ, we must live the life and not just parrot the beliefs of the King we want to be associated with. Instead of claiming to be followers of Jesus and living like the enemy, let’s get our lives back into the hands of God and represent Him accurately.
We don’t have to run from our faith. We can ask God and man the hard and honest questions and still trust Him. Click To TweetWhen we fall into troubles and tribulations, we don’t understand what’s happening in our lives, or we don’t see the answers to prayer that we would like—even for legitimate desires like getting married and having children—we don’t have to run from our faith. We can ask God and man the hard and honest questions and still trust Him.
Having discrepancies between “the real world” and our faith is common. That is why our journey through life is called a walk by faith.
Know that God’s character, love, and purposes are bigger than all of our problems and unanswered prayers combined. I’ve been through the fires of singleness as well as other fires as a follower of Christ, and He is trustworthy, my friend.
Our life of faith doesn’t produce perfection or perfect clarity. It does mean growing obedience in every sphere of our lives.
He guaranteed that we would have suffering and trials and be tested; John 16:33. It’s good He told us ahead of time, and that He promised to always be with us in every test. Untested faith isn’t real faith.
We might need to re-examine our desires and our understanding of God if we have been disappointed by Him. Ask Him to help you reconcile your heart, your mind, and your understanding of Who He is in your world. But there is no need to become a “Christian atheist.” You can continue to be a Christian and trust Christ.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT
