I love reading Seth Barnes’ blog, because he does a great job reminding me about what’s really important. He posted recently on a speech given by the valedictorian of a Christian high school. The student defined success like this:
"Success isn’t having a second summer home or a third car in the garage;
success is having some extra spending money at the end of the week, so
you and your family can enjoy the really important things in life."
Success = disposable income, I guess.
Seth goes on to talk about how more and more young people are voicing a "moral, therapeutic Deism" characterized by "rules, good feelings, and a sense that God rewards us with happiness, pleasures, and toys."
The kicker is that these young people are learning it from their parents. How many times is the latest "Christian fad" nothing more than feel-good Deism dressed up in Jesus-clothes? "You, too, can learn to work the system and get God to bless you!" Where are the young radicals, anymore? Have we become so comfortable in our affluence that we twist our theology to suit it, and teach our kids to do the same?
Deism probably isn’t the best description of a God who “rewards us with happiness, pleasures, and toys.” I think deism references a distant, uninvolved God that does not do that “supernatural” stuff, no miracles or blessings. Seth is probably describing “moral, therapeutic theism.” Maybe monotheism.
Doesn’t alter the issue however…..this is not a good biblical view.
Good point, Bob. It’s a theism, but it paints a picture of God as Santa Claus, or God as a drink machine, which I’ve posted on before.