Researchers Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton have coined a term for the religious beliefs of many teens—Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Their view of God and faith—shared by a good portion of adults as well—is moralistic in that they think life is all about getting people to “be good.” Therapeutic stands for the reality that the teens feel that faith is solely to make them happy and feel good. And deism defines their view of God as the One who created the world but isn’t really involved in our lives today.
The apostle Paul had a very different view of God and our goodness. In Romans 5 he states that we were not born good, but dead in our sins (Romans 5:6-8). Striving to “be good” will not work, for we can only be “made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ” (Romans 5:9).
Paul describes life as not being all about happiness, for we will face “problems and trials” (Romans 5:3). These challenges bring about helpful development of our character and hope in Jesus (Romans 5:4-5). We may not always be happy, but we can “rejoice” because of what God has done and is doing in us (Romans 5:3).
Finally, Paul states: “We can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (Romans 5:11). The intimacy and relationship seen in the apostle’s inspired words are a far cry from a distant God who isn’t really involved in our lives. He loves us and His Spirit lives within us (Romans 5:5).
Do Paul’s views of God and belief in Him jibe with your own? A true view of God and His active, redeeming work in our lives is essential for a transforming faith—one that glorifies and accurately reveals Him to others.
More:
• Matthew 16:25
• Philippians 1:21
• Revelation 6:9-11
Next:
How did Jesus both live and die for life? How can you daily surrender your life more fully to Him?
mochaguy on June 23, 2010 at 1:51 am
An interesting observation by the researchers. It seems that in our drift towards relativism that the ‘church’ has lost it’s ability to portray the reality of our sinfulness and a need for a Savior. If we don’t see ourselves as sinners condemned to eternal separation from God, then we don’t have a need for a Savior. Writer and Theologian Dallas Willard has coined a term ‘the gospel of sin management’ whereby we just need a mini-savior to deal with our sin, but not one who will empower us to live victorious over the sin. Pastor and Teacher Mark Driscoll has often spoken about how Americans have ‘functional saviors’ in that they need something/someone to solve their specific urgent need, but they don’t need Jesus. Somehow we need to get back to living and teaching in a way that allows people, especially the youth, to see the true beauty of Jesus. Perhaps it begins by really knowing him by reading the Gospels and asking God to show himself through Jesus Christ.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:14 pm
mochaguy, I like you phrase “to see the true beauty of Jesus.” It’s so important that we go beyond head knowledge to truly “knowing” Jesus and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.
R R Kelkar on June 23, 2010 at 4:08 am
While the world is surely going digital, it is also going increasingly spiritual. People undertake mountain treks, river rafting or ocean adventures or whatever, all to come close to nature and rejuvenate the spirit. But the quest for spirituality is often simplified by keeping God out of it. It is easier to stand in awe of nature, have noble thoughts or just relax. But bring God into the picture and things become different. The God of peace and love soothes your soul but also challenges and makes demands on your spirit. That is why the Christian life is tougher than just a good moral life.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:20 pm
R R, good points. Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20), but He also warned, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He will be with us, but we must actively live out our faith in Him.
lindagma on June 23, 2010 at 6:08 am
The ever increasing lack of respect in our country… even this world, is reflective of our lack of respect for God. Too many have lost touch with the fact that God is GOD. There is no fear of consequences on earth because there is no fear of a righteous God. Before the intimacy with God there must be a fear and respect of who HE is. How great is our calling to reach our world. How great is our God who can do all things.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:23 pm
lindagma, yes, God is a “consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29) and His holiness should drop us to our knees. I agree with you that true respect for others, made in God’s image, can only happen when we first deeply revere Him.
peg on June 23, 2010 at 6:55 am
Oh Dear Lord, give us Your Holy Spirit so that our hearts would be full of your love. So that we can love the world as you do and show them who You are.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Amen!
donreid77 on June 23, 2010 at 8:07 am
In thinking about the “deism” aspect of this view and having just celebrated Father’s Day I was reminded on several occasions that the early view of God by a child is based on their experience with their fathers. Many of the images of God in scripture also reflect this view — Our Father in Heaven. How many teenagers and young adults have never had a relationship with their fathers or had one based on fear and abuse? I think the challange to the men in the church is to get involved with the children and the youth so that they can see what/who a father can be.
HEsays on June 23, 2010 at 10:42 am
There are many things Jesus said that are hard to hear and receive – even though they are the purest truth. He said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (NLT- Mt.8.13-14). He also said, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord! will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (NLT- Mt.7.21). He is calling for us to commit to Him in faith-based love.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Hesays, I’m reminded of what Jesus said in John 14:21: “Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.” Our obedience reflects our love for Jesus!
Soldier4Christ on June 23, 2010 at 10:50 am
It’s no wonder why many of today’s youth have no real concept of what God is really like and what part He plays in their lives. The world to day is like one giant amusement park, we are bombarded by technology day and night and people don’t want to pay attention to anything that isn’t entertaining. I still believe that many things that we are seeing in the world today with our youth and the disintegration of the family really started in the 60’s when they finally started to get God out of the schools. If they aren’t taught about God at a young age the chances of them getting to have a personal relationship with God is very slim.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:32 pm
soldier, you’re right, many people receive salvation in Jesus while they’re young. And yet, it is beautiful to continue to see people of all ages repenting of their sins and believing in Jesus. Praise Him for His amazing grace!
hello on June 23, 2010 at 11:42 am
DEar all,
I feel this devotion is really blessed to me this afternoon.. eventhough my problem havent solve.
but once again it give me courages to face this situation again. I need some opinions from yours, I wrote this in my bog. thanks so much, if you have time please give me some comment.
http://aprilgirly.blogspot.com/2010/06/waiting-for-change.html
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:40 pm
hello, you are in our prayers today. It’s difficult to not experience joy and affirmation in your work. Check out this link http://www.rbc.org/bible-study/discovery-series/bookletDetail.aspx?id=48096 for an online booklet titled “How Can I Find Satisfaction In My Work?” It has some practical, biblical advice that will help you see your work in a new light—God’s light!
Ciera on June 23, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I have a slightly different view than some of you on how to fix this problem. The point that exposing kids to Christianity and teaching them about it can help them get on the right path but in the end it won’t solve this problem. I think this is because most teenagers that are most likely considered “proper Christians” in many people’s eyes simply have devoloped a ‘habit’ of Christian values and have simply memorized the concept that “Jesus loves me.” A lot of times, whenever they are questioned by others, or question their beliefs themselves, they have no idea why they really believe what they do, except for the fact that it is what they have always believed in. So, for them it is logical that the entire point of Christianity is to get people to act morally (because it does) and that it is in some way shape or form supposed to be fulfilling (that is what they have always been told) hence the idea that it is “therapeutic”.
In the end, I think this issue stems from unanswered questions and teenagers’ attempts to understand why they should be Christian in the first place.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Ciera, thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s true that often the “Christianity” that is presented to people is not Scriptural. When the emphases are simply cleaning up externally and being “good”, we’ve bought into legalism and a human-centered “salvation”, not the true heart and life-change that comes through surrender and genuine belief in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
vfoot on June 23, 2010 at 8:39 pm
We may not always be happy, but we can “rejoice” because of what God has done and is doing in us (Romans 5:3).
As someone who is going through a dry time of waiting, am I the only one who finds this incredibly depressing? Honest question. Thanx
vfoot on June 23, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Sorry, allow me to clarify (after re-reading that, it really didn’t come out right).
Is it kinda hard for anyone else that “happiness” some times seems to be sacrificed for “joy”? I get that Joy is lasting and not temporal like happiness, but that doesn’t make it easier and that reality sure doesn’t “soften the blow” if you will, of the reality of hardship.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to just to “rejoice” in the dry nothingness of the current difficulty I’m in –especially when it’s hard. And don’t mistake me for not understanding the “consider it pure joy, my brethren…” and “suffering produces perserverance”‘s of scripture. I get it. It just doesn’t make it an easier and, sometimes I feel, it seems like there’s a lack of honest struggle on these kind of things when the going gets tough.
I just wonder why we just can’t say sometimes “hey, God, this stinks.” and be honest with him about it because, um, he’s God and it’s not like he doesn’t know that’s how we’re feeling.(or I’m feeling — sorry, I’m projecting) I mean, he’s omniscient. He knows this already. Can’t we be honest with him, like in any real relationship, and say “I’m struggling with this whole “rejoice” when life stinks thing” and ask him to fix it — period– as opposed to the “give me peace in the midst of it” prayer.
Cause I’ll be honest: I want peace. I’d love peace in the midst of “this” –whatever the “this” may be– But I also want this to END.
Am I the only one? Just wondering. Hope that clarifies.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 9:37 pm
vfoot, I so appreciate your honesty. And, yes, I would say that all of us have had similar feelings from time to time. David, in the Psalms, is a great example of someone who basically says to God, “This stinks.” Check out (Psalm 13:1-6), (Psalm 22:1-31), (Psalm 42:1-11), for example. What you’ll find, however, is that after he cries out to God and pours out his pain, his protest then turns to praise. He’s not saying that everything is great (for his enemies and pain are still there), but He does acknowledge God’s faithfulness in the past and His goodness even in the harsh present circumstances. So, yes, God can take our deep cries and laments. Pour out your heart to him. And please know that we (the ODJ community) will be praying for you!
graceofGod on June 23, 2010 at 11:42 pm
I agree that nowadays, values are fast deteriorating and what is immoral in God’s sight (homosexuality, adultery, divorce) is now condoned by the world. Wrong has become right and right has become wrong. So, the best gift we can leave for our children is to teach them to have faith in the One True God, exemplified by our lives.
Hi vfoot, I too am in a real stinking situation and many, many times, I feel really helpless; I cry out to God and tell Him I want OUT NOW. I want this pain to end NOW. But deep in my heart I know that His way is better than mine and after the big hoo-ha I make before the Almighty, I calmed down and surrendered myself to Him. And you know what, He has never let me down. He has lifted me up again and again from the “bottomless pit” and given me His peace. Sure, the problem didn’t go away. Sometimes it gets even worse. But somehow, there is a strange feeling of calm beneath the storm. Does that make sense ?
hello on June 24, 2010 at 9:59 am
Thanks for those who keep me in prayer.
tom felten on June 23, 2010 at 1:26 pm
don and ted, really good insights! God has provided us with His perfect example for how to truly to love a child. He cares for us, disciplines us, guides us, nurtures us, corrects us—all out of love. May we parent our kids more and more like Him!