Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
According to sociologist Christian Smith, most American teenagers believe in Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD). 1. "A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth." 2. "God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions." 3. "The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about ones self." 4. "God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem." 5. "Good people go to heaven when they die." This religion runs against the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Jesus is the Stairway into Heaven - E.6 - He Ascended - Phill Howell
This sixth episode is unique because it covers some of the Old Testament foundations of Christ’s ascension. It begins with the Tower of Babel story from Genesis 11, then moves to Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28, and then it ends with a conversation between Jesus and Nathanael found in John 1:43-51. I...
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What is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism? - Don Green
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Pastor Don Green begins a series on the spirit of the age in Western culture. Though most people haven’t heard of “moralistic therapeutic deism,” everyone will recognize the hallmarks of this philosophy after hearing it described in this opening lecture and by God’s grace will see why it’s so imp...
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Should Christians Listen to Jordan Peterson? - E.3 - Christ and Kingdom
Many Christians listen to Jordan Peterson since much of his philosophy aligns with conservative truth... but does this mean that Christians should be listening to him? Emilio Ramos dives deeply into this topic to help Christians understand whether or not Jordan Peterson is someone they should con...
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Moralistic Preaching - Chapter 1: Christ Alone
Moralistic preaching is preaching the commands of scripture and nothing else. When you assume that people understand the gospel, or you believe that Christians don't need to be reminded of the gospel, you're left with a "be like" or "be good" message which leads to pride or despair. Only the gosp...
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American Gospel: Christ Alone
Is Christianity Christ + the American dream? American Gospel examines how the prosperity gospel (the Word of Faith movement) has distorted the gospel message, and how this theology is being exported abroad. This feature-length film is the first in a series.
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Good Advice vs. Good News - The White Horse Inn - #879
At the core of just about every major religion is something we call advice, or a set of instructions intended to help you live a better life. But is that what lies at the heart of the Christian faith? Tips and instructions for personal transformation? Whatever happened to the Christian gospel?
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Crossless Christianity - The White Horse Inn - #875
Many Christian leaders today point to Jesus as a good moral guide (WWJD), an inspirational figure of self-sacrifice, or one who resolves our problem with loneliness. And in doing so, these shepherds have managed to avoid one of the most central teachings of the entire Bible; namely Jesus' atoning...
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Is Trying to Be Good Enough, Good Enough? - The White Horse Inn - #1375
Imagine a person standing in a courtroom and pleading before the judge, “I’m sorry, Your Honor, I tried not to steal that car!” If this wouldn’t work with a civil magistrate, why do we think it would work before the judge of all the earth? On this program, the hosts discuss what it means to be go...
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What is Moralism? - Trevin Wax - AG Uncut
Trevin Wax explains how the counterfeit gospel of moralism is opposed to the true gospel.
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Consumerism, Pragmatism, & the Triumph of the Therapeutic - The White Horse Inn
Many churches in our day attempt to make their services relevant and entertaining in order to attract people in the marketplace of competing options. The focus often centers on practical lessons designed to help us cope with life’s problems. But what are the historic roots of this particular appr...