A Lesser God for Sure

Just read an article in which the findings of the National Study of Youth and Religion revealed that Christian teenagers in America are becoming, well, a less Christian. In fact, the nationwide study of seven major denominations (including United Methodists) found that American teens—regardless of denominational background—have developed an alternate faith that “gradually co-opts if not devours” established religious traditions and doctrines and replaces it with an entirely new and different faith!

According to the research team, the term given to this “new” faith is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, or MTD for short. It sees God as non-offensive, not demanding and certainly not the Author and Finisher of our Salvation or the Judge of the Quick and the Dead, but rather, as “a Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist: he is always on call, takes care of any problems that arise, is never negative, but rather always uplifting and affirming, professionally helps people feel better about themselves, and does not become too personally involved in the process.”

Helped along by pop-culture and nurtured at home by nominally Christian parents, this new “faith” appears to be replacing historic Christianity at an alarming rate. An excellent article in the August 10th issue of The Christian Century entitled “Faith, Nice and Easy” listed some of its major points:

• A god exists who created the world and watches over 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 in life is to be happy and feel good about yourself. 
• God is not involved in my life except when I need God to solve a problem. 
• Good people go to heaven when they die.

Based on this, teenagers are less likely to voluntarily “give themselves for others” and see no theological reason to engage in mission, evangelism, outreach, or other works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, rehabilitating prisoners, helping the poor and homeless, or working for peace, justice and equality in society as a whole. Equally as disturbing is the fact that, according to polling data by George Barna and others, these beliefs are held not only by teenagers but also by a growing number of people under 40.

Sad though this is, it's not a surprise according to the Bible. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 for instance, there is this: “For the time is coming when people will not tolerate sound instruction, but, having itching ears (for something pleasing and gratifying), they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to support the errors they uphold. And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.”

The times, they are a-changing, and apparently so is the Christian faith. Unless, of course, pastors, youth pastors, Sunday School teachers, parents and the the rest of the church can stem the tide of this creeping, invasive threat – this myth and man-made fiction – known as MTD.