Christian therapeutic Moral Deism
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Anyways, "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism" was created by Christian Smith
(And Mr Smith is not really a real Bible believing Christian).
Moralistic therapeutic deism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
He does not believe in the Biblical inerrancy of Scripture (That the Bible is without error) and nor does Smith believe in Biblicism (That the Bible should be read literally), either.
Here are some of the negative reviews on his book concerning his book against Biblicism:
The Bible Made Impossible - By Christian Smith.
(And Mr Smith is not really a real Bible believing Christian).
Moralistic therapeutic deism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
He does not believe in the Biblical inerrancy of Scripture (That the Bible is without error) and nor does Smith believe in Biblicism (That the Bible should be read literally), either.
Here are some of the negative reviews on his book concerning his book against Biblicism:
The Bible Made Impossible - By Christian Smith.
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Christian Smith and another author Melinda gives us blind stastistics.
The authors find that many young people believed in several moral statutes not exclusive to any of the major world religions. It is this combination of beliefs that they label Moralistic Therapeutic Deism:
Yet what kids believe on a large scale does not determine the truth of God's Word, though.
Scripture must be the determining factor of what is true.
The authors find that many young people believed in several moral statutes not exclusive to any of the major world religions. It is this combination of beliefs that they label Moralistic Therapeutic Deism:
- A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.
- God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.
- The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.
- God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.
- Good people go to heaven when they die.
Yet what kids believe on a large scale does not determine the truth of God's Word, though.
Scripture must be the determining factor of what is true.
True. God created the universe and the Earth and everything in it (Genesis 1:1 - Genesis 2:3); And God watches over human life on Earth (Genesis 11:1-9).
True. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other (Romans 13:8-10). (1 John 3:14-21). (Matthew 5:44). (Hebrews 12:14) (Hebrews 13:18). But they can only do that thru repenting of their sins and by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior so as to be spiritually born again and whereby God does the good work within them (Which runs contrary to other world religions) (See Ezekiel 36:26-27).
False. While believers will experience the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, and peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23); The central goal for a true Christian's life is to die to self and put on Christ and conform to His image and not to our own image (Romans 8:29). For all who will live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution in some form or another (2 Timothy 3:12). For we are to offer ourselves as a willing sacrifice unto God (Romans 12:1). For he that shall lose his life shall save it, and he that shall save his life shall lose it (John 12:24). For they that are Christ's have crucified the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24).
False. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17); And that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). The Scriptures also says Jesus stands at the door of everyones heart and knocks to come in so he can sup with them (Revelation 3:20).
Well, technically the righteous saints (good people) go to Abraham's bosom today when they die. They will only go to Heaven when the Pre-Trib Rapture takes place; For the dead in Christ shall rise first and then we that shall remain and who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Anyways, from a worldly perspective, this would be false because they define a "good person" based on their morality on how they feel what is right versus what God's Word says. Other false religions define a "good person" by keeping a certain set of man made rules that God did not authorize (Which is false). However, according to the Bible, you could say that this is true if you define Heaven as being with God in a paradise like place in the afterlife. For a "good person" who dies and eventually goes to Heaven is defined as a righteous believer in Jesus Christ. For when a person first comes to Christ, they are made righteous by repenting of their sins and accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. By their act of faith, the Lord then imputes His righteousness to the believer and then God continues to live within them if they desire to continue to abide in Him and His good ways. If they sin, they must confess of their sin and forsake it. They are saved by grace and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9) ITitus 3:5). However, good fruits will naturally flow thru their life proving their faith to be true because God is the source of their salvation (1 John 5:12).
True. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other (Romans 13:8-10). (1 John 3:14-21). (Matthew 5:44). (Hebrews 12:14) (Hebrews 13:18). But they can only do that thru repenting of their sins and by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior so as to be spiritually born again and whereby God does the good work within them (Which runs contrary to other world religions) (See Ezekiel 36:26-27).
False. While believers will experience the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, and peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23); The central goal for a true Christian's life is to die to self and put on Christ and conform to His image and not to our own image (Romans 8:29). For all who will live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution in some form or another (2 Timothy 3:12). For we are to offer ourselves as a willing sacrifice unto God (Romans 12:1). For he that shall lose his life shall save it, and he that shall save his life shall lose it (John 12:24). For they that are Christ's have crucified the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24).
False. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17); And that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). The Scriptures also says Jesus stands at the door of everyones heart and knocks to come in so he can sup with them (Revelation 3:20).
Well, technically the righteous saints (good people) go to Abraham's bosom today when they die. They will only go to Heaven when the Pre-Trib Rapture takes place; For the dead in Christ shall rise first and then we that shall remain and who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Anyways, from a worldly perspective, this would be false because they define a "good person" based on their morality on how they feel what is right versus what God's Word says. Other false religions define a "good person" by keeping a certain set of man made rules that God did not authorize (Which is false). However, according to the Bible, you could say that this is true if you define Heaven as being with God in a paradise like place in the afterlife. For a "good person" who dies and eventually goes to Heaven is defined as a righteous believer in Jesus Christ. For when a person first comes to Christ, they are made righteous by repenting of their sins and accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. By their act of faith, the Lord then imputes His righteousness to the believer and then God continues to live within them if they desire to continue to abide in Him and His good ways. If they sin, they must confess of their sin and forsake it. They are saved by grace and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9) ITitus 3:5). However, good fruits will naturally flow thru their life proving their faith to be true because God is the source of their salvation (1 John 5:12).
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I guess I agree with the observation, but not the conclusion.
1. People DO argue too much about stupid things that are non-critical.
2. I DO NOT think the MAJORITY of those people are really replacing their concept of salvation with their nit-picky doctrinal biases.
So... I'm sure the book you read was a nice book.
But from your brief explanation it sounds like the typical intellectual over-analysis of a fairly uncomplicated topic.
1. People DO argue too much about stupid things that are non-critical.
2. I DO NOT think the MAJORITY of those people are really replacing their concept of salvation with their nit-picky doctrinal biases.
So... I'm sure the book you read was a nice book.
But from your brief explanation it sounds like the typical intellectual over-analysis of a fairly uncomplicated topic.
I think folks have a problem with #2 in Post #46. They don't believe a Christian can ever be perfect so why try and be perfect? Yet, Jesus says be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. Granted, not all sins are the same. There are sins that do not lead unto death and there are sins that do lead unto death. Paul lists sins many times that a person cannot commit. For he says be not deceived, the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. He lists sins such as lying, fornicating, stealing, murdering, hating, and getting drunk, etc.
Your definition of 'perfect' is not according to the word used (teleios)...
τελειοσ, εια, ον. complete, perfect; (1) with its chief component as totality, as opposed to partial or limited; (a) of things in full measure, undivided, complete, entire (RO 12. 2); substantivally το τελειον the finish, completeness (1C 13. 10); comparative τελειοτεροσ, τερα, ον more complete or perfect (HE 9. 11); (b) of persons complete, perfect (MT 5. 48; 19. 21); (ANLEX)
τελειοσ, εια, ον. complete, perfect; (1) with its chief component as totality, as opposed to partial or limited; (a) of things in full measure, undivided, complete, entire (RO 12. 2); substantivally το τελειον the finish, completeness (1C 13. 10); comparative τελειοτεροσ, τερα, ον more complete or perfect (HE 9. 11); (b) of persons complete, perfect (MT 5. 48; 19. 21); (ANLEX)
Your definition is confusing. How are we complete like the Father is complete? That doesn't make any sense. Jesus was saying be perfect as our Father is perfect. That is what the Bible plainly says. I mean, are you trying to say that the Father was not perfect? Besides, you can't outsmart the context of the surrounding passages, my friend. If you were to read Matthew chapter 5, the whole chapter is dedicated to perfecting oneself righteously. Verses 3-12 are the Beattitudes. Verses 13-14 is about letting our light shine before men which is in reference to good works the Lord does in us so as to glorify our Father in Heaven. Verse 20 says if our righteousness does not exeed the scribes and the pharisees we shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Verse 22 says whosever is angry with their brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Verses 27-30 deal with committing adultery in one's heart which is tied to punishment in Gehenna (i.e. the Lake of Fire). Verses 31-32 deal with the matter of divorce properly. Verses 33-37 deals with the right way in how to handle oaths. Verses 38-47 deal with loving your enemies which then leads into verse 48 that says we are to be perfect as our Father is.
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Brother the creationtutor,
Thank you for posting the video "it's not about the nail". i used it in another thread here called Often misunderstood part of the Bible (1 John 1:8-19) post #241 . Btw i agree with your observation and have prayed for the person it was intended for as i'm sure you have as well. Thanks again friend
Thank you for posting the video "it's not about the nail". i used it in another thread here called Often misunderstood part of the Bible (1 John 1:8-19) post #241 . Btw i agree with your observation and have prayed for the person it was intended for as i'm sure you have as well. Thanks again friend
Let me point out another quick thought.
By the OP's brief description, I can only get this impression:
1. This book points out groups of christians who are accusing other christians of being unsaved, based on non-essential issues.
2. Then this book accuses THESE groups of people of being unsaved, based on... wait for it... non essential issues.
3. Therefore, this is book is doing exactly what it accuses others of doing.
(This book, according to the OP, accuses people of "moral deism"... which is to either call these people unsaved, or to say they are "acting" like the unsaved.)
4. If you say this book isn't accusing people of being "unsaved", it's only pointing out doctrinal error...
then it naturally follows you MUST also acknowledge the vast majority of people in these groups are only doing the same thing.
Most of them are NOT accusing people of being unsaved, they are only pointing out what THEY think is doctrinal error.
(Therefore, the whole book becomes kind of "ordinary", and maybe even redundant, because christianity has been discussing doctrinal errors for centuries.)
5. Conclusion:
If you think some Christians are acting like idiots, you don't need to invent new words, and write some scholarly sounding book as if you thought of something new. You could just say, "Golly, some Christians sure act like idiots". I mean, that's pretty biblical.
: )
thecreationtutuor,
I'm not trying to pick a fight with you, you always seem like a good guy.
I just get tired of pretentious sounding books.
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