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. For about the first seven chapters of this book, I was completely unimpressed. My name is Clinton Adams. Moreover, he has ripped this portion of the verse out of context. I am a Christian atheist. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. The Christian Atheist also covers the importance of the church in the life of a follower of Christ, in spite of the attitude of many that church is not relevant to their spiritual walk, or that the church is full of “hypocrites,” or that the church does not “do anything” for them. 24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Gave me a lot to think about. Your participation enriches the blog! There is really no way that I could recommend it too highly. 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. I confess. A book that should be read and re-read annually as Christians. I mainly do book reviews. Scripture alone is one’s authority for the faith and practice of a Christian. 6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2016. 3 For what does the Scripture say? 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. It is an important topic (in a sense underpinning Jordan Petersons recent book) but it sounds as if this book does not address it. I’ll leave it at that. If you look at the above passage, you see that Jesus is speaking. ( Log Out / Why. He’ll prompt us, guide us, and comfort us. 5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. This is a good book. I’ll let Groeschel explain (pp. That's it? A rooster’s crow reminded Peter of his denial, forcing him to face his crushing triple failure.Yet Peter refused to believe the lie that his betrayal now branded him a traitor. The topic of Christians not living up to Christian ideals as espoused in the Scriptures is a common one to all the blogs I’ve done, and readily visible in most Christians and churches. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Free books for reviews doesn’t equal fluff. What I found most helpful though were the personal stories, or rather failures and confessions, by the author who is a prominent pastor. It’s only five dollars. The point here is that the biblical texts I cited completely refute the nonsensical, unbiblical “third line faith” Groeschel promotes. It’s bad enough that “forgiveness of sins” was missing from Groeschel’s list of what everybody desperately needs (see such texts as Romans 3:23, Psalm 51, Genesis 6 and Ephesians 2:1-3). I suggest you have one – if not several ready. Cultural Christianity (Christianity without deism) is indeed a big problem here in the States, as I’ve illustrated in many many posts on my previous blog, including in the latest book review on this site. Summary: Basically, too many Christians claim to be Christians, but don't at all live out the lifestyle. 38 Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! Some of the chapters in the book are as follows: “When You Believe in God but Don’t Really Know Him,” “When You Believe in God But Aren’t Sure He Loves You,” “When You Believe in God but Not in Prayer,” “When You Believe in God but Don’t Think He’s Fair.”. This whole book judges the faith of other people for not being fundamentalist Christians. Groeschel writes this book “for anyone courageous enough to admit to their hypocrisy” (p. 15). Why do I cringe whenever I hear the word "tithe" (giving 10% of your salary to church)? 8 But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. I might not have included the link to my review in it. push such a message out beyond the confines of my blogging. Former Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel knows his subject all too well. Please try again later. This is definitely a book every Christian should read - really loved it. And in fact, you may be one I’ve personally given one of my own books of his to read. "...gives a hard-hitting, transparent look into the ways people voice belief in God but continue to live as if He doesn't exist in any real meaningful manner. I also love the fact that Ps Craig was not afraid to tell parts of his own story where we wasn't all perfect and how he had to improve his shortcomings - just like all of us. This book is published by Zondervan. While it certainly does a good job at that, it has severe issues. 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.3 When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; 4 and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me. Scripture is sufficient. The book finishes by addressing something that I’ve seen more and more lately, where people claim to love Jesus but hate the church. Start by marking “The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Do you believe in God but live as if He doesn’t exist? 13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality—14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;15 as it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gatheredlittle had no lack.”. Suddenly I just had to stop. Because while I was saying "that's me" I was comforted in knowing that "I'm not alone". Proverbs 30:6 states (NASB): Do not add to His wordsOr He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. They may decide in their hearts to do that or beyond. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,His righteousness endures forever.”. The author has a discontinuous interpretation of the Bible which he fails to effectively express in his narrative. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you. Should you request a certain topic, I will most definitely consider it. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. It has a catchy title and a topic that I'm passionate about. March 20th 2010 Considering Christians are called to expose the deeds of darkness (and false teachings and flagrant disobedience of God’s Word are synonymous with darkness) rather than partake in them (Ephesians 5:11), Groeschel’s lack of discernment via associating with false teachers shows Groeschel is basically the hireling shepherd spoken of in John 9-10. I judged the book because of its cover – or title, to be exact. The book speaks to where so many are at these days. Perhaps he is. “I’ll stand faithfully by you until the end,” he insisted.Unfortunately, real-life events soon proved Peter wrong. Specifically, Groeschel claims direct revelation from God. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I think this book, to a great extent, talks about what many other books of its kind discuss in much the same way. I haven't finished it so far, but the author provides a devotional in the framework of different ways in which we Christians act. Instead, it is an absolute mess of false teachings, blasphemy and manmade doctrine. The final reason I list (there are more) for why Groeschel’s book is not a classic in the making is his despising of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Believing in the phony formula as Craig calls it (as do I) that “better possessions + peaceful circumstances + thrilling experiences + the right relationships + the perfect appearance = happiness.” That can be found on page 169.
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