A recent post was rightly accused of being accusatory toward what one might call “practical atheists.” This is a person who might claim to be a Christian, but whose life shows little practical difference from those who do not.

Where did these people come from?  I blame myself for two reasons:

I blame myself for two reasons:

1.  I’m often a practical atheist myself.  Sure, I never miss a Sunday, but I am guilty of living in a way that does not reflect the teachings of Christ.  I need to lead by example.

2.  As a Christian leader, I have helped propagate a system that often fails to offer a vision of life that is no different than the world around us–only with more rules and less fun.

The message of Jesus Christ was and is extremely counter-cultural:  Poor minorities being given power.  Racial enemies providing for each others needs.  Forgiveness, no matter what the wrong.

When applied by his first followers, Jesus teachings led to lives lived out in intense community and adventure.  They sold their belongings to take care of each other. They traveled the world, lived through assassination attempts and shipwrecks, knowing they might some day be fed to wild animals or burned alive.

What would a church look like that stopped manufacturing practical atheists, and instead created individuals who give their lives up for others with wild abandon?