Here are some things I have been learning from Scott Thomas.
Moralistic:
This is the belief that God can be reduced to improvements in behavior. This skips the cross for justification and sanctification. A moralistic person continually hates on those who don't make the grade and finds justification in comparing themselves with those who may be struggling. But our standing is in Jesus, and we cannot obtain morality without him giving us his righteousness. Moralism will not ease our pain or find us favor in God. As Timothy Keller has said, "we are flawed and sinful more than we ever dared to believe, yet we are loved and excepted more than we ever dared hope." I saw this at a community church gathering in which a pastor said the answer to all our problems is in voting for all the right people. He went on to point out how messed up "they" all are. Moralistic people often get entrapped in political blame-ism rather than practicing personal repentance.
Therapeutic:
This false God is one that says, "your life is all about your comfort and psychological ease." It's about feeling good, happy, secure, and at peace. It's about being nice to people and maintaing subjective well being. These people may have a notecard in their desk that says, "lighten up and smile" in which they pull out from time to time. Many people never follow their calling in Jesus because of this false God. We think, "God wouldn't call me to something that is hard would he?" Life becomes about yoga, listening to enigma, and retreating from conflict.
Deism:
Just do it! This false view makes God look like a cosmic butler whom you summon when your life takes a bad turn. Deists picture God as "way far away" but now that I need him, i will summon him. Highly organized people tend to this. "It's all up to us and our perfect planning." These people love corny leadership maxims and pragmatic quick fix ideals.
I believe for the most part that in the Valley most churches are preaching a moralistic, therapeutic, deism.
After reading many of these posts, I am more and more confused....This analyzing everyone and their relationship with Jesus also feels wrong...I believe loving Jesus should be number one.....Is it just me or do these posts use such complex words and strong statements, that it feels like what is being preached not to do, is exactly what they are doing by lumping everyone into a "category" "suburbia" ect.....I am not making sense because I feel confused myself...Simply put...Love Jesus....The end!
ReplyDeleteThe gospel is not "love Jesus the end". The gospel is that Jesus loves you even when you do not love him as you should. As soon as we think the Christian life is not a life of repentance, it is obvious that we are walking in a moralistic therapeutic deism.
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