Are You a Christian Atheist?

I was thinking recently how anxious many people were when the year 2000 was upon us. The fear of worldwide computer meltdowns and economic upheaval ended up being much ado about nothing.  Now we begin 2012.  Once again, some people are concerned about a Mayan calendar that ends this year.  I love a cartoon I saw with two Mayan men speaking about the calendar.  One man holding the calendar says, “I only had enough room to go up to 2012.” The other man responds, “Ha! That’ll freak somebody out someday.”  I can just imagine that is probably what happened.

As Christians we need not worry and fear about the end time or the now time.  God's Word is saturated with promises of his care for us.  “”I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20;  “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6: 25-34 reminds us that all our needs will be supplied so we need not worry about anything.  As we “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given to you as well.”

I recall a seminary professor once telling our class, “Worry is a mild form of atheism.”  He was correct.  Worry for the child of God shows a lack of faith and trust in the Lord.  Instead of relying on the promises of a trustworthy and reliable God, we look unto ourselves for the answers to our worries and fears.  How can we say we really believe in God, yet don’t act like it when it comes to the concerns of our lives?  Could it be we are Christian Atheists? 

Craig Groeschel has written a book entitled “Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist, the Christian Atheist.”  Worry and fear are just one aspect of how we can be Christian atheists.  There are many other issues we fail to recognize.  Beginning this Sunday, we will explore this topic of Christian atheism.  With the Word of God as our foundation and Groeschel’s book as a template, we will be challenged to reassess our walk with the Lord to see where we really place our trust.

This will be a great time of spiritual growth for us all.  See you Sunday,
Pastor Jeff