The Atheistic Christian

Have you ever heard the questions that go something like: “Can you be (blank) and a Christian? Can a Christian do (blank)? The question I wish to explore is: Can a Christian be an Atheist? I answer yes. To be clear, you did not misread my previous statement: Yes, a Christian can be an atheist.

According to Merriam-Webster an atheist is “a person who does not believe in the existence of God.”

Paul speaks in similar terms in Romans 1, yet different enough so as to be more accurate.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:18-23

Practical Atheism

How is it that a Christian can be an atheist?

First consider Merriam-Webster: “A person who does not believe in the existence of God.” Now, I am assuming if you are reading this blog that you claim to be a Christian, and I do not wish to cast doubt on that or seem to challenge that claim. However, I want to point out that you are a person who at times does not believe in the existence of God. Or at least you do not believe in a meaningful way.

Think about it this way. Every time you sin your actions are “practically” saying: “I do not believe in God.” It’s a practical atheism. Its not an intellectual atheism because even if I asked you if you believed in God while you were in mid-stride of sinning you would answer yes. However, the activity you are engaging in demonstrates a disconnect between your words and deeds. In that moment you are a Christian Atheist.

Now more importantly consider Paul in Romans 1. Although he is describing unbelieving humanity, humanity which suppresses their knowledge about God, there are helpful take aways for the believer.

Consider this verse in particular.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:21

The statement in bold is arguably one of the plainest and specific descriptions of the human rebel. Here Paul does not name a grotesque sin that is active done. No, he speaks of what is not done. The honor and thanks that God is worthy of is not given. This is the heart of the life that denies God by action (practical atheism) and weaves together with idolatry.

If you are not honoring and thanking God in life you are living as an atheist in idolatry.

Covenant Breakers, yet Covenant Unbroken

Do you now see that you as a Christian can quite often, even daily, live as an atheist? You honor God with your mouth but your heart may be far from him (Mark 7:6). Yet, we have hope for we affirm that God’s covenant (promises) of grace that he has bestowed on his people will never be retracted for our:

hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

Christ the Solid Rock

God’s forgiveness and gift of eternal life was not given to us by earning it so also it cannot be lost by moral failure. However, though we do not fear the loss of relationship with God, we need fear the strain on that relationship. Sin in our lives should stir in us a fear of loss with regard to the closeness we might otherwise enjoy with our Savior.

Consider this. I am married to Hannah (and glad for it). Marriage is a covenant for life (“til death do you part”). If I am harsh in my words toward Hannah or carelessly fail to cherish her that makes me a covenant breaker, yet the covenant is unbroken. I have not operated in a way that aligns with the marriage covenant (to love and honor), yet that marriage is still unbroken, it goes on. So also with God’s covenant toward his people. It is based on Jesus’ sacrifice, not our moral performance.

However, like my marriage to Hannah, if I’m harsh and rude it strains the marriage and the joyful intimacy of marriage will be lacking. So also when we live in unrepentant sin. God remains our Father who loves us yet the relationship is strained with a lack of closeness.

One of the greatest fears we would have regarding falling into sin is a fear of relational distance between us and the Father. When tempted we need to ask ourselves: Do I wish for this quick and delightful moment for my sinfulness to be indulged or to choose to nourish my relationship to God by denying myself for what he says is best?

Remember the Prophet Moses:

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Hebrews 11:24-26

Do I want this “fleeting pleasure of sin” or the blessing of God?

Have the Right Motive

When we walk away from the treasures of this world we must consider what our motives are. Do we say no to sin so that God continues to bless us (aka easier life)? Think about it; do we avoid sin to make God happy so that he doesn’t get angry and take away specific comforts that we enjoy? I know I do that. I so often think “I best not do what it is my flesh desires because then life won’t go as well for me because God might withdraw blessing.”

In that moment I am saying no to blatant sin, but not to say yes to the nourishing of my relationship with God, but for the subtle sin of happiness based on what God has given instead of happiness in God himself. That is to further say: I am not honoring him as God.

The truest blessing that we should embrace in the moment of temptation itself is the fellowship we have with our heavenly Father through Jesus. God himself, closeness to him, is THE blessing of redemption. All other good, even forgiveness and eternal life are but blessings leading to something greater. Forgiveness and life enable us to enjoy God forever.

Therefore, we must be vigilant and alert to temptation, and prayerfully resistant to it (Psa. 19:12-14). We must war against sin, yet not merely the overt sins we so often think of: lust and lying, theft and temper, strife and sensuality.

Remember what Paul speaks of as being a fundamental problem, a foundation to sin: lack of thanks and honor unto God.

How thankful are you? How often do you thank God for his many graces? How does the function of honoring God in life inform how you live and what you do? Paul’s words in Romans 1 should press us to interweave these two components into our lives. May all be done in honor of God. This mindset should lay the map for how we attack projects, plan trips, and interact with others. With that should be the constant response to all things with thanksgiving. After all, is not every moment of the Christian life being used for the good of that saint (Rom. 8:28)? Where thanks giving is lacking we should be praying for hearts that are more grateful.

The Christian finds himself living as an atheist when he is going about his day, responsibilities, and leisure with no mind as to how his activity does or doesn’t honor God. And again the absence of thankfulness to the Creator is absence of belief that there is a God who blesses.

Closing Thoughts

It would not do justice to create a list of “to do’s” in this case. Instead the question should be asked: How will you take steps to be mindful to honor God and thank him. Will you talk to a trusted brother or sister in Christ about this, and you both remind each other to be more aware of how to honor and thank God? Maybe you can set a reminder on your phone, not a reminder to honor God, but to consider how you are going to actively live and think that way in your day. For thankfulness you could add a little phrase like this when you thank God at meal times: “Father, as we enjoy this food please remind us that all blessings come from you so that we become all the more grateful to you.”