123 Christian Atheist: I Believe in God but Don't Really Know Him

A Christian Atheist is someone who says they believe in God yet lives as if He doesn’t exist. As Titus 1:16 describes them, “They profess to know God, but their behavior contradicts their profession” (PH). 

Their faith is like “cafeteria Christianity.” They like the grace, the blessing, and the freedom. But they’ll pass on the obedience, sacrifice, and discipline. They want all of the benefits and none of the costs. 

The root of the problem stems from a failure to recognize that it’s one thing to say you “believe” in God and it’s another thing to genuinely “know” Him.  

In this introductory talk, I’d like to define three levels of “knowing God.”  

Level 1:  someone who claims to believe in God but does not really know Him. 

I can believe in a famous quarterback. I see him on TV, hear him on interviews, read about him in magazines. I believe he exists and is a great athlete. But I don’t really KNOW him. 

It’s the same with God. We can say we believe in Him, but if that belief does not result in any sort of real relationship, then we may be a Christian Atheist. 

Simply saying, “I believe in God” means nothing if there’s not an accompanying demonstration of commitment.  

One of the most sobering texts in the New Testament is found in Matthew 7. Jesus warns:  

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord’ did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from Me, you evildoers.’” Matthew 7:21-23

Level 2:  someone who knows God but does not know Him well 

It’s possible to have a relationship, but a shallow one. You had a genuine experience with God – at a camp or a church service. It was moving and powerful. But over time, that relationship with Him faded. It’s stale and dated. And because it is, you’re returning to your old ways of doing things.  

Level 3: someone who knows God intimately and serves Him wholeheartedly

When a person lives in Level 3, there is this ongoing sense that God is with them all the time.  There’s this desire to practice His presence by talking to Him throughout the day, to listen for His prompts, and to reflect on His counsel through Scripture.  As a result, there’s a consistency between the “talk” on Sunday and the “walk” on Monday.

They’re not perfect, but their hearts are committed to Him…every day. 

Text: 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Tit. 1:16; 1 John 2:3-4; Mt. 7:21-23; 2 Chr. 16:9

Originally recorded on January 13, 2013, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.

This series is based on the book “The Christian Atheist” by Craig Groeschel.