For a number of years I have wondered why so many groups of Christians are way out of tune with the biblical blueprint for true living. The biblical blueprint is plain, simple, but does require the infusion of the Holy Spirit to implement. Imagine my amazement as I read the following:
“Notre Dame Sociologist Christian Smith identifies the fastest growing religion in America is neither Christianity, Islam, nor some eastern religion. It is what he calls Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD). In MTD, the most important “truth” about God is that He wants all to be nice, to feel happy, and to be delivered from pain (that’s the therapeutic part). Outside of being available when I need him, God will not interfere much with my life (There’s the deism).
We are drawn to MTD because we want our life to be nice, happy and uninterrupted. Smith says that ‘MTD is in our culture, including our churches like fluoride is in our water.’” John Ortberg, Fall 2011 Leadership Journal.
Now you know. Feel better? Contrast the above with Paul’s instructions in 2 Timothy 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
