In his landmark books Soul Searching and Souls in Transition, sociologist Christian Smith surveyed American young adults and found that most held to what he called “Therapeutic Moralistic Deism.” They’re deists because they believe God doesn’t interfere in our lives unless we need His help to solve a problem. They’re moralistic because they believe God wants us to be good and kind to each other. And their view is therapeutic because it makes them feel good about themselves.
Their view of God can be summed up in this erroneous thinking: I am starring in the role of God because I determine what goodness is required for heaven and then determine that I meet this criterion. I am free to live as I please, all the while believing there is a deity who believes in me.
But as all of us will find out the moment we die, we’re not God. God has a true standard of holiness and love (1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 4:8), and He can’t be satisfied with anything less than perfection.
This starting point is essential for understanding the gospel. As Paul explained to the Corinthians, God the Father met this high standard when He gave His Son, “who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Together, God the Father and God the Son sent the Spirit, who made us into a new creation. “The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
With the Spirit’s help we will grow in holiness and self-giving love, which God says is what true religion has always been about: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 2:14-40
More:
Read James 1:19–2:26 to learn what true religion looks like.
Next:
Do you know anyone whose religion is “therapeutic moralistic deism”? How might you begin to lead that person to Jesus?
Gary Shultz on October 8, 2014 at 6:06 am
Thanks for untangling a little of that. I often find it difficult to understand what some folks are trying to say they really believe.
angelinatan25 on October 8, 2014 at 10:38 am
IS CHRISTIANITY JUST a religion, OR IT HAS ALL THINGS TO DO WITH RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, OUR FATHER-IN-HEAVEN – THE SOURCE AND CREATOR GOD OF UNIVERSE?
ALSO HERE’S MY SHARING OF MY FAITH IN HIM…,I HAD TO STRUGGLE CLINGING TO HI FOR DEAR LIFE SO AS NOT TO BE TEMPTED INTO BELIEVING SOMETHING LIKE WHAT HE LAID DOWN FOR US TO FOLLOW AND ABIDE AND THE PREACHIN OF LORD JESUS CHRIST.
WILL I FALL INTO TEMPTATIONS IF I ACCEDE TO IT?
HAS THE WORLD OF CREATION AND INNOVATION PERSUADE AND TEMPT US TO FOLLOW by its truths of man-made spirits-
I AM VERY WEARY THAT EVERYDAY I HAVE TO HOLD TO GOD FOR DEAR LIFE SO AS TO BE ASSURED I DO NOT FALL INTO THE EVILISH satan’s path of hypocrisy, slyness, wittiness and OF NO TRUTHS?
Mike Wittmer on October 8, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Don’t weary yourself trying to hold on to God. Let Him hold on to you. Practice this by lying on a couch or bed, and just as you transfer all your weight to that piece of furniture, think of transferring all your trust on Jesus.
angelinatan25 on October 12, 2014 at 6:34 am
Thank you for your Reminder and Advice.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL WHO LOVE AND HELP ONE ANOTHER AND OTHERS.