Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

The term Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is a mouthful and a little intimidating to most of us, however; Smith & Denton help us to understand this parasitic approach to the Christian faith as follows: 

“The beliefs of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism are “moralistic” in that they place a high value on ‘being good.’  

The beliefs of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism are ‘therapeutic’ in that the primary value is feeling good about oneself. 

The authors used the word deism because, in Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, God exists as the Creator, but He is relatively uninvolved.”  

Smith & Denton, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, 2005.  

Sunday’s sermon will focus on the connection between this “Christian” approach and the Apostle Paul’s warnings from 2 Corinthians 10 and Galatians 1. The significance to be discovered is that; the initial research from 2005 is not only strongly entrenched in current Western Christian thought but also appears to be gaining momentum and becoming more doctrine than fanciful adolescent shortsightedness.   

My desire is that we affirm the God of the Bible rather than quietly accept the reinvention of God. We will be using the Word as the foundation of thought, truth, and trust in the leadership of the Holy Spirit. 

Along the way, I have been aided in my studies by several gifted minds and voices via podcasts, books, and conversations. A decent list of my resources is listed below though not comprehensive. In my research, I have found much, but not all, of what has been provided in these resources lines up with my personal views in doctrine and theology ... just a sidenote; always test what is espoused outside of Scripture with Scripture.  

Resources

Arrington, Yancey, ND, The Toxic Belief of Moral Therapeutic Deism, Preaching today. 

Childers, Alisa, July 4, 2019, The Theology of Jen Hatmaker, with Anne Kennedy-The Alisa Childers Podcast #52. 

Cosby, Brian, April 9, 2012, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism: Not Just a Problem with Youth Ministry. 

CRC Staff, April 27, 2021, Counterfeit Christianity: ‘Moralistic Therapeutic Deism’ Most Popular Worldview in U.S. Culture. 

Smith, Christian & Denton Lundquist, Melinda, 2005, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers.