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goatfarmer's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
4.0
Very readable but very hard-hitting book! A lot to think about.
natwc's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best Christian books I've ever read. In some parts, it was a little harsh, like Francis Chan's Crazy Love, of if you won't do this or that, you won't be able to go to Heaven. It's wonderful how God loves everyone, especially with their flaws and Groeschel explains that very well by answering a lot of those "How" and "Why" questions. After reading this book, I have learned what I can do to not be a Christian Atheist (aka lukeworm) by getting to that line three of Christianity. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
jfraser82's review against another edition
4.0
All of Craig's books are winners for me..this isn't my favorite of his but still a must read!
m_m_shoe's review against another edition
4.0
You can find this review and others on my blog https://montanasmusings.wordpress.com
When I first bought this book, I was in high school. I went to a Catholic school for most of my life, and we attended mandatory Theology classes. During one of these classes, we were handed a list of books to choose from and write a report on and what life lessons we gleaned from the reading and how we would continue on a Christian path. As a bored 17 year old who was sick and tired of being preached to for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, I didn’t read the book. I only chose it because it seemed to be the easiest reading out of the assigned list. When it came to write my book report, I read about 20 pages before putting it back down and skimming for good one-liners to put into my paper.
Fast-forward nearly 5 years later, and I still had this book on my shelf. I had recently hit a spot in my life where I wanted to be healthy in all aspects of my life: physically, academically, financially, emotionally, mentally, and ultimately, spiritually. I was genuinely curious about religion. I felt this sense of hunger for religion to be a part of my life again, but I had no idea where to start.
I had always believed in God, but I never found a community I felt connected to. Catholicism was all I had ever known, but since I never felt connected to the faith, I realized I was at a bit of a loss. I figured I was Christian based on my belief system, so I decided to read a Christian book. That’s when I finally picked up Groeschel’s book once more.
The premise of the book is about how Christians sometimes say they are Christians but fail to live an authentic, Christian lifestyle. They go through the motions of what it means to be Christian (i.e. going to church every Sunday) but once they leave the service, they go on with their lives without another thought about their relationship to God and others. Because this seemed to accurately describe me and how I had lived throughout my college years, I began to think this was a good starting point for my budding faith.
I really connected with this book. Groeschel freely admits to how he lived his life before he found God and I could see some parallels between his life and mine. He separates the book into various chapters, all of the titles beginning with “When You Believe in God but…” and each goes into the issues he sees in those around him and how he thinks they could improve their relationship with God.
I gave this book 4 starts because it helped me decipher some of my feelings about my faith. Faith is deeply personal and intimate, which is why I don’t talk about it very often, if at all. I even got a cross tattoo on my wrist after reading this book, because I felt affirmed in my religious beliefs and knew I had chosen the right spiritual path for myself. This book helped me and I could absolutely see myself reading it again when I feel I’m not giving all of myself in my relationship with God.
This book is not for the deeply religious. I only say this because I think he’s trying to connect with those that have lost their way in their faith, not those who are looking for an even deeper understanding in their faith. For me, I needed this book because it was a starting point in my growing faith. For someone who goes to church every week and Bible study and is very knowledgeable in their religion, it might be a bit too surface-level for you.
When I first bought this book, I was in high school. I went to a Catholic school for most of my life, and we attended mandatory Theology classes. During one of these classes, we were handed a list of books to choose from and write a report on and what life lessons we gleaned from the reading and how we would continue on a Christian path. As a bored 17 year old who was sick and tired of being preached to for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, I didn’t read the book. I only chose it because it seemed to be the easiest reading out of the assigned list. When it came to write my book report, I read about 20 pages before putting it back down and skimming for good one-liners to put into my paper.
Fast-forward nearly 5 years later, and I still had this book on my shelf. I had recently hit a spot in my life where I wanted to be healthy in all aspects of my life: physically, academically, financially, emotionally, mentally, and ultimately, spiritually. I was genuinely curious about religion. I felt this sense of hunger for religion to be a part of my life again, but I had no idea where to start.
I had always believed in God, but I never found a community I felt connected to. Catholicism was all I had ever known, but since I never felt connected to the faith, I realized I was at a bit of a loss. I figured I was Christian based on my belief system, so I decided to read a Christian book. That’s when I finally picked up Groeschel’s book once more.
The premise of the book is about how Christians sometimes say they are Christians but fail to live an authentic, Christian lifestyle. They go through the motions of what it means to be Christian (i.e. going to church every Sunday) but once they leave the service, they go on with their lives without another thought about their relationship to God and others. Because this seemed to accurately describe me and how I had lived throughout my college years, I began to think this was a good starting point for my budding faith.
I really connected with this book. Groeschel freely admits to how he lived his life before he found God and I could see some parallels between his life and mine. He separates the book into various chapters, all of the titles beginning with “When You Believe in God but…” and each goes into the issues he sees in those around him and how he thinks they could improve their relationship with God.
I gave this book 4 starts because it helped me decipher some of my feelings about my faith. Faith is deeply personal and intimate, which is why I don’t talk about it very often, if at all. I even got a cross tattoo on my wrist after reading this book, because I felt affirmed in my religious beliefs and knew I had chosen the right spiritual path for myself. This book helped me and I could absolutely see myself reading it again when I feel I’m not giving all of myself in my relationship with God.
This book is not for the deeply religious. I only say this because I think he’s trying to connect with those that have lost their way in their faith, not those who are looking for an even deeper understanding in their faith. For me, I needed this book because it was a starting point in my growing faith. For someone who goes to church every week and Bible study and is very knowledgeable in their religion, it might be a bit too surface-level for you.
rachelfsreads's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe this would be better for new believers, but for me it was a little too basic. I hope my next Groeschel book will go a little deeper.
kayceslitlife's review against another edition
5.0
A phenomenal read--I agree with a quote on the cover--this book is a classic in the making! The Christian Atheist will challenge you to wake up and LIVE like you actually believe in God. Some of the chapter highlights include "Believing in God but Still Worrying All the Time", "Believing in God but You Can't Get Over Your Past", "Believing God but Seeking Happiness at Any Cost", etc...
Stop going to church for the formality of it and explore a rich relationship with God! Live every part of your life as a follower of Christ, Sunday-Saturday. This book will wake you up, challenge you with some (hard) truths (at times). For me personally, this one just earned a spot on my top 5 list of all time! (And considering I read 52 books in 2010, that's an exclusive list to be on....just sayin) ;)
http://bookwormz2010.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/book-c-fabookulous/
Stop going to church for the formality of it and explore a rich relationship with God! Live every part of your life as a follower of Christ, Sunday-Saturday. This book will wake you up, challenge you with some (hard) truths (at times). For me personally, this one just earned a spot on my top 5 list of all time! (And considering I read 52 books in 2010, that's an exclusive list to be on....just sayin) ;)
http://bookwormz2010.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/book-c-fabookulous/
adamrshields's review against another edition
3.0
Full review at http://bookwi.se/the-christian-atheist-when-you-believe-in-god-but-live-as-if-he-doesnt-exist-by-craig-groeschel/
Short review: This was ok. I think I was not the target audience. Parts of it were very good. But much of it was fairly basic. It is another in a fairly long line of recent books calling people to really live their lives like their Christianity matters. Calling people to act like they say they want others to act. To act like God matters to their daily life.
Short review: This was ok. I think I was not the target audience. Parts of it were very good. But much of it was fairly basic. It is another in a fairly long line of recent books calling people to really live their lives like their Christianity matters. Calling people to act like they say they want others to act. To act like God matters to their daily life.
trishadenise's review against another edition
5.0
in your face in the best way possible, as usual craig. there's no hiding from the convicting message in this book