This quote from Brennan Manning, author of [among many other works] The Ragamuffin Gospel, has really been challenging me lately.
“…the single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
What do you think? Is he right? If so, what can we do to change this perception?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
josh
Josh Scott 
I agree with him totally. I took that as a note from your message on Sunday and it has been challenging me too. I think if it is not challenging to us , as christians, then that is a problem in itself. It reminds me of a saying “you talk the talk, but can you walk the walk, or “Do as I say, not as I do”. As christians, we are obligated to show our beliefs by our lifestyles and when you mess up, acknowledge that mistake and try to be the person God wants us to be.
LikeLike
Don’t worry- I not an atheist because you are screwing up. I’d still be an atheist even if your touch cured people of cancer… okay, I’d actually convert if believers started getting magical powers, but being nice? I think that goes under being a decent human being.
LikeLike
I agree with that quote. That really hit me hard Sunday. I think that everyone is guilty a little bit of doing just that because of how fast paced our lives are. We worship whole heartly on Sunday morning and during small groups but when we leave we think of all we have to do and get done and we sort of leave God behind, not truly represent him. I agree with Renee about that saying too…”You talk the talk but can you walk the walk.” I think I had a Christian tshirt that said that once (sorry Josh…I know you don’t like them!). That quote has challenged me to try to show off the Lord through my life. I want to be a good example not a denying one.
LikeLike
Samuel,
Thanks for your thoughts.
I hope you will continue to be part of our conversations here.
josh
LikeLike
Josh,
We just did a series based on this quote……..
Randy
LikeLike