"What Do You Do With Atheists in Church?"

Tuesday, December 6, 2011, Pastor Bernie Diaz

Atheists are in church. Surely I jest? No so fast. A recently published study found that nearly one in five scientists who consider themselves atheists, nevertheless bring their children to a church service one or more times a year. "Our research shows just how tightly linked religion and family are in U.S. society," said the lead investigator for the study.

The research showed that the main reasons were related to social and personal matters, which was confirmed by a spokesman for the American Humanist Association, who said in response to the study, "Like many who do believe in a god, these folks likely attend church for the community experience, or the cultural connection to the religion." This study reveals much in terms of the state of the heart and the local church in America. First, as to the latter observation, goats are fellowshipping with the sheep in local congregations- that biblical reality is obvious. There are atheists and agnostics amongst the flock which should give us pause to consider the fruit of those we fellowship with in and out of our families. According to a Pew Forum survey, many a percentage of people who identify with nearly every faith, are also atheists and agnostics. So when I say we look for fruit to authenticate real saving faith, I don't mean sin sniffing. I mean honest, biblically based, sanctifying self and family examination ( 1 Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5), in order to determine who among us needs the gospel and more intentional and intensive discipleship.

Second, as to the former observation of the study, we see that indeed the atheist seems to have a natural hunger if you will, to connect with, to know, a being that is objectively greater than themselves, a deity that we know to be the Deity, the God of the Bible, revealed in flesh by His Son Jesus Christ. ?There are no atheists in fox holes' people. As per Romans 1, and the roads God has created to have His favored creation come to know Him- creation and conscience among them, people intuitively know they come from God whether or not they like or accept that fact. "Atheists understand that people who attend church are more likely to be persons of high moral character and would prefer their children experience this more positive environment," said one student of the study. The mere existence of objective moral standards, makes being an atheist an extremely tough sell in my book.

So what do you do with an atheist in church? Same as anyone else we see with regard to fulfilling the great commission. Love neighbor as self. Love atheists by serving them and telling them gospel truth as early and often as possible- simultaneously. Let's give the best Christmas gift we can this month while we have time and opportunity- ?God in a manger.' More on that gift later this week..