Of all the people groups that are described in the New Testament, the group that those of us who consider ourselves Evangelicals are closest to in terms of ideology and theology, political activism and pragmatism, Evangelicals are more akin to the Pharisees of the New Testament than to any other group. But here’s the rub. Just like the Pharisees were then, Evangelicals are now known for what and who we’re against, rather than who and what we’re for. Evangelicals, just like the Pharisees, are known more for demarcating who’s in and who’s out, rather than reaching out. Does this seem unfair? You tell me.

It makes sense to rely on others’ expertise or experiences that we don’t have. We’re made to do that. The trouble is - so many of us go through life not really thinking about whose reviews we’re listening to. So many of us go through life, just kind of listening to the most convincing argument of the moment, or the most confident people without ever developing a firm foundation in what to think. Have you ever thought about what truths are shaping you? As Christians, we claim that it’s the Bible that shapes us, that it’s this truth and this story that tells us how to live.

Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if God Doesn't Exist

It makes sense to rely on others’ expertise or experiences that we don’t have. We’re made to do that. The trouble is - so many of us go through life not really thinking about whose reviews we’re listening to. So many of us go through life, just kind of listening to the most convincing argument of the moment, or the most confident people without ever developing a firm foundation in what to think. Have you ever thought about what truths are shaping you? As Christians, we claim that it’s the Bible that shapes us, that it’s this truth and this story that tells us how to live.

There are too many things going on in our world that just aren’t fair. ​ Pick up today’s newspaper or simply listen to your coworkers discussing current events. Our world is broken. Black lives are being mistreated, children are being abused, mass shootings are at an all time high, and natural disasters are destroying cities around the globe. Bad things happen to good people all the time. So it doesn’t really come as a surprise that some people, maybe even many of us in this room, question if God is fair, or if he even really cares. This unfairness changes the way we view life, the way we view our world, and the way we view God. Do we throw our hands up in defeat? Why bother trying to better myself and my life if I don’t really have any control? Do we see the injustice in our world and feel the urge to join the fight against it? Do we donate money to a non-profit, or move to a third world country to minister to others? Or maybe we just turn off the TV because we can’t handle the horrific news. And what about our view of God? How do we respond to God in light of this unfairness; in light of devastating earthquakes, car crashes, racism, terrorist attacks. Where is God in that kind of pain? Where is God when life’s not fair?

Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if God Doesn't Exist

There are too many things going on in our world that just aren’t fair. ​ Pick up today’s newspaper or simply listen to your coworkers discussing current events. Our world is broken. Black lives are being mistreated, children are being abused, mass shootings are at an all time high, and natural disasters are destroying cities around the globe. Bad things happen to good people all the time. So it doesn’t really come as a surprise that some people, maybe even many of us in this room, question if God is fair, or if he even really cares. This unfairness changes the way we view life, the way we view our world, and the way we view God. Do we throw our hands up in defeat? Why bother trying to better myself and my life if I don’t really have any control? Do we see the injustice in our world and feel the urge to join the fight against it? Do we donate money to a non-profit, or move to a third world country to minister to others? Or maybe we just turn off the TV because we can’t handle the horrific news. And what about our view of God? How do we respond to God in light of this unfairness; in light of devastating earthquakes, car crashes, racism, terrorist attacks. Where is God in that kind of pain? Where is God when life’s not fair?

Evangelism. Sharing our faith. Not really the most fun thing to hear, imagine, preach, or practice. I think our intentions are good. I think at the heart of it we want to talk about our faith that is meaningful to us. I truly believe that we want to “...go and make disciples of all nations…”. I do believe Christianity is the way to live a full life and to bring God’s healing to a broken world. But…evangelism is hard. Evangelism is uncomfortable. The idea of going out and sharing our faith can very quickly make us feel embarrassed. Sheepish. Afraid. Sharing our faith with others means that we attach ourselves to the “Christian” label, and who wants to do that? We’ll feel like fakes. Failures. Frauds. And that hurts. So we don’t. We keep to ourselves. So what are we supposed to do? How do we reconcile this discomfort? How can we take a step away from the Christian Atheist lifestyle and begin to match our life with what we really believe?

Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if God Doesn't Exist

Evangelism. Sharing our faith. Not really the most fun thing to hear, imagine, preach, or practice. I think our intentions are good. I think at the heart of it we want to talk about our faith that is meaningful to us. I truly believe that we want to “...go and make disciples of all nations…”. I do believe Christianity is the way to live a full life and to bring God’s healing to a broken world. But…evangelism is hard. Evangelism is uncomfortable. The idea of going out and sharing our faith can very quickly make us feel embarrassed. Sheepish. Afraid. Sharing our faith with others means that we attach ourselves to the “Christian” label, and who wants to do that? We’ll feel like fakes. Failures. Frauds. And that hurts. So we don’t. We keep to ourselves. So what are we supposed to do? How do we reconcile this discomfort? How can we take a step away from the Christian Atheist lifestyle and begin to match our life with what we really believe?