S.C. Pastor Exposes 'Practical Atheists'

[wyguy]

S.C. Pastor Exposes 'Practical Atheists' among Christians

Most Americans claim belief in God but many are living as "Christian atheists," according to some pastors.

"I'm sick and tired of the fact that people can attend church for ten to 20 years and never change," said NewSpring Church Senior Pastor Perry Noble.

"Here's the deal: we believe in Jesus enough to get us out of hell but not actually enough to change the way we live and that's a problem in the church," the S.C. pastor said Sunday to his mega-congregation.

Noble launched a new series titled "Practical Atheist," borrowing the term from fellow pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv who preached on a similar series years back and has a book on the subject coming out this month.

Practical atheist, or Christian atheist, is defined as someone who believes in God but lives as if He doesn't exist.

Groeschel calls himself a recovering Christian atheist. He says in The Christian Atheist that "Christian Atheism is a fast-spreading spiritual pandemic which can poison, sicken, and even kill eternally."

In concordance with the well-known LifeChurch.tv pastor, Noble began preaching on the matter on Sunday recognizing that believers may say the right things or look the part but not necessarily live as Christ followers.

Seventy-two percent of Christians claim they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, according to NewSpring Church, but only 17 percent feel that the local church is necessary for spiritual growth and only one in three Christians believe God expects them to be holy. "Where's the disconnect?" the church poses.

"Jesus Christ didn't just die on the cross so we can just say a prayer and live however we want," said Noble, clad in a gray sweatshirt that says "LOVE." "He died ... so we in turn would give ourselves to him."

The area Noble feels most Christians are practical atheists in is prayer.

"I believe when it comes to prayer most Christians are actually superstitious rather than believers in the supernatural," he pointed out.

The humorous pastor expressed his belief in miracles and healings through prayer, which he acknowledged was possibly a rare belief.

At the same time, he also cautioned that sometimes God says "no" to prayers and sometimes He wants believers to obey and take action rather than just pray about it.

Noble stressed, no matter what happens

[Matthitjah]

I like it!

A Practical Atheist. That's the right term.

Peace,

Dave

[Deepblue]

Awesome! I listen to Craig Groeschel daily on my ipod. I love LifeChurch.tv. I have listened to the entire series called "Practical Atheism". I highly recommend LifeChurch.tv to everyone. Craig is also hilarious.

[Jorge S]

Practical atheist, or Christian atheist, is defined as someone who believes in God but lives as if He doesn't exist.

The term "practical atheist" is preferable and it truly describes certain ugly lifestyle choices we often make as believers, either ignorantly or deliberately.

I personally had to struggle with smoking and reluctance to tithe during times I thought I could literally die for God any day.

[~candice~]

Very profound!

[Ascot Preston]

"Most Americans claim belief in God but many are living as "Christian atheists," according to some pastors.

"I'm sick and tired of the fact that people can attend church for ten to 20 years and never change," said NewSpring Church Senior Pastor Perry Noble.

"Here's the deal: we believe in Jesus enough to get us out of hell but not actually enough to change the way we live and that's a problem in the church," the S.C. pastor said Sunday to his mega-congregation.

2Ti 3:1 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.

2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,

2Ti 3:4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

2Ti 3:5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.

2Ti 3:6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,

[georgedrw81]

Many of us were like that till we let God into ur heart. It is a reminder that is our duty to convince our feloow church members that a mass is acelebration and not to show our new clothes.

Blessings

[Babbler]

Practical atheism has invaded the church worldwide. Two things must happen before Christ comes in judgment.

On the question of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we beg you, brothers, not be so easily agitated or terrified, whether by an oracular utterance, or rumor, or a letter alleging to be ours, into believeing that the day of the Lord is here.

Let no one seduce you, no matter how. Since the mass apostasy has not yet occurred nor the man of lawlessness been revealed.--2 Thes 2, 1

Look at the prevalence of apostate churches accepting homosexuality: Episcopal, Reform Judaism, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, United Methodist and others.

Can you not realize that the unholy will not fall heir to the kinghdom of God? Do not deceive yourselves: no fornicators, idolaters, or adulterers, no sodomites, thieves, misers, or drunkards, no slanderers or robbers will inherit God's kingdom--1 Cor 6, 9

By accepting this so-called deviate, unholy behavior, they are accepting Belial's teaching and condemning their followers to the 'second death'. This is the most insidious form of theology. Instead of leading men to salvation, it leads to annihilation. It's another lie to deceive the elect and cause divisions. It is the teaching of lawlessness.

These churches accepting homosexuality have become friends of the world.

"O you unfaithful ones, are you not aware that love of the world is enmity to God? A man is marked out as God's enemy if he chooses to be the world's friend--Jas 4, 4

These priests, accepting and teaching this doctrine, do not represent Christ.

"For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. It comes as no surprise that his ministers disguise themselves as ministers of the justice of God. But their end will correspond to their deeds.--2 Cor 11, 14

The defininition is correct concerning practical atheism; believing in God but living as though he doesn't exist. These people are practicing atheists.

[Guest yod]

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[Rick-Parker]

Proof of "conditional" OSAS, Proof of salvation is a change in the persons heart and behavior. Faith without works is dead.