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Video notes from discussion posts
Introduction to Christian Thought (D) (Liberty
University)
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Video notes from discussion posts
•We suggest that the de facto dominant religion among contemporary us teenagers is what
we might call moralistic therapeutic deism
•5 descriptions of moralistic therapeutic deism
oA god exists who created the world and watches over human life on earth
oGod wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the bible and
by most world religions
oThe central goal of life is to be happy and feel good about oneself
oGod does not need to be particularly involved in ones life except when God is needed
to resolve a problem
oGood people go to heaven when they die
•Moralistic
oCentral to life, living the good life is to be happy and to be a good moral person
oFeeling good about oneself
oBeing fulfilled
oGoal in life would be true to oneself and be moral
•Therapeutic
oThe feeling of being good, happy, secure, or at peace
oNot a concept about repentance or holiness, or obedience to the word of god
oIts about having an inner peace or happiness
oNot about repentance, obedience, or suffering
•Deism
oAbsentee god
oHes there at times but not always there
oHes only there when we need him to get out of trouble
I think in our society today Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is an accurate reflection of most of our society
today. When looking at looking at the 5 descriptions of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism we can see people
in our society grouped under all 5. The first description of a God exists who created the world and
watches over human life on earth, is an accurate description as us Christians. We believe that God created
the heavens and the earth, he watches over us and has a plan for all of our lives. Christians believe this
because in Jeremiah 29: 11 it says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” But then if you look at some of
the other descriptions it talks about how people only need God when they need a problem solved or that
they don’t need to follow most commandment they just have to be good people. We can see most people
in our world don’t live for God, they live for themselves and think if they are going to heaven just
because they are good. Our society today is heavily influenced by social media and it can be seen that
most people live for themselves and self-satisfaction and gratification. This shows that most people in our
society today fall under the category of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.
Sacred/secular divide
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•Argument that certain things are sacred, there are certain things that are secular. And there is
a divide between those two
•May see this in vocation
oCalling to be a pastor or a missionary is sacred, while something like a nurse or a doctor
or lawyer is more secular. And there is aa divide between the two
•False dichotomy according to scripture cause god created and sustains all things we see god
see his revelation through his world and word
•Pictured like a two story house
•Sacred(top floor)
oSubjective
oValues
oExperience
oreligion
•Secular (bottom floor)
oObjective
oFacts
oValues-free
oScientific
•Private life and personal life effects our public life as well
•Recognize and try to see how we can bring them together
•Everything we do should be done for gods glory
The sacred/secular divide can be eliminated within my sphere pf
influence, but it will take time. God is everywhere. The division can
become one by spreading the word and doing what god tells us to
do. It can also be effective to regularly study the Bible and
scriptures, which might help people develop awareness about many
things life like social values, the God’s will, a sense of identify, the
value of relationships and people’s connections.
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The tendency to
push
religion away
from the public
arena affects the
Christian's ability to
engage
culturally because it
can make some of us
feel intimidated.
Personally, I feel like if
I talk about my
religious views in
public, I would be
ridiculed or made fun
of. Being in my line of
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work, a
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correctional officer, it
is
difficult. I pray
throughout my
Sacred/Secular divide means life is separated into a secular domain that encompasses science, politics,
economics, and the rest of the public sphere, and a sacred realm that is restricted to things like worship
and individual morality. Within that there is a divide between the two. It may be difficult for Christians to
connect with society honestly, express their moral ideals, and act in line with their religious convictions if
religion is kept out of the public eye. Christian's religious perceptions, sentiments, and manifestations can
be severely impacted by the inclination to push religion out of the public sphere.
My Christian lifestyle, everyday activities, and relationships are some of the aspects of my life that
highlight the difference between the sacred and the secular. My personal emotions, my views about
religion, and my Christian considerations of what is good and bad are difficult for others to understand
who don’t have the same views. The fear of being judged or victimized because of what they believe and
stand for causes many Christians to experience the same issues.
Within my area of influence, the sacred/secular divide can be overcome, but it will take time. God is in
every place. By communicating the need for unity and carrying out what God commands, the division can
be healed. Regular Bible study may also be helpful for developing awareness of a variety of life issues,
including societal values, God's will, a sense of identity, the importance of relationships, and connections
between people.
Worldview
•Its who we are and how we approach the world
•The bible would frame the we see the world
•4 different ways
oLens or eyes
▪The way we see the world
▪We don’t need new glasses, we need a new set of eyes
oFilter or theological sieve
▪Gathering and processing information
▪Rejection valve
oBehaviorism
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▪What we do
▪Actions
oHeart or worship
▪What we love
▪Love god and love others
▪Rightly ordered loves
Impact of the gospel
•Christ
oJesus is the starting point of the gospel
oIt is Jesus’ gospel
oThe Messiah, the Christ, the “anointed one”
oThe “I am”
•Cross
o1 cor 15
oThe death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus
oWork of Jesus Christ on the cross
•Conversion
oFrom being dead in our sins to being alive in Christ
oApostle Paul
oCornelius (acts 10)
oPhilippian Jailor (acts 16)
•Christian life
oFruit of the spirit
oThere is work to be done
oHoly spirits guidance and leading
•Church
oCommunity of Christians
oSpiritual gifts
oNot a building, but an assembly of believers
•Culture
oEngage the culture
oActs 17
•Consummation
oThe bigger picture
oActs in a play
oThis is God’s story, he is the lead character
•
Having a better
understanding of
the
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implications of the
gospel
can be helpful
to those
still fighting
the battle of
finding
the salvation of
the
Lord that we all long
to
have. The gospel
affects our lives more
than one might think.
So
that is why it is
important
to get a
clear and good
understanding of the
daily implications, to
help
get you to that
salvation that we are
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battling to achieve.
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After seei
Having a better understanding of the implications of the gospel can be helpful to those still fighting the
battle of finding the salvation of the Lord that we all long to have. The gospel affects our lives more than
one might think. So that is why it is important to get a clear and good understanding of the daily
implications, to help get you to that salvation that we are battling to achieve.
After seeing the
bigger
picture, you have a
better awareness of
the importance of
living
life in the most
humbling manor as
possible. There is no
sense in judging the
next person
because we all need to
remember, we are all
sinners[ CITATION
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Etz12 \l 1033 ]. Do not
loose
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hope in those
moments when we
are tested in our
faith. We have the
power of God and
the
s
tr
e
n
g
th
o
f
J
e
s
u
s
w
i
th
i
n
us, we have
the will power to
keep fighting,
helping us have the
strength
to fight off those
malicious schemes of
the devil.
After seeing the bigger picture, you have a better awareness of the importance of living life in the
most humbling manor as possible. There is no sense in judging the next person because we all need to
remember, we are all sinners[ CITATION Etz12 \l 1033 ]. Do not loose hope in those moments when we
are tested in our faith. We have the power of God and the strength of Jesus within us, we have the will
power to keep fighting, helping us have the strength to fight off those malicious schemes of the devil.
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One way you can
help spread the Good
Word of the gospel, is
when your out in your
ventures doing your
part in putting in the
work, always be bold
about it.
Never be ashamed
about telling others
one of the greatest
stories of all time.
When that starts
happening, you deny
our Heavenly Father
and our
S
a
v
i
n
g
G
r
a
c
e
,
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J
e
s
u
s
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Christ, and as He
said in Matthew
10:31-33
One way you can help spread the Good Word of the gospel, is when your out in your ventures
doing your part in putting in the work, always be bold about it. Never be ashamed abouttelling others one
of the greatest stories of all time. When that starts happening, you deny our Heavenly Father and our
Saving Grace, Jesus Christ, and as He said in Matthew 10:31-33
It can be beneficial for those still engaged in the struggle to find the Lord's salvation that we all desire for
to have a greater knowledge of the implications of the gospel. Unexpectedly, the gospel has a significant
impact on our lives. For this reason, it's critical to have a thorough awareness of the everyday
consequences in order to guide you toward the redemption for which we are striving. When you look at
the wider picture, you become more conscious of how important it is to live as modestly as possible. We
must always keep in mind that we are all sinners, therefore there is no use in passing judgment on
other the individuals. When our faith is being put to the test, do not lose hope. We have the strength of
Jesus and the power of God inside us, which gives us the willpower to keep fighting and the strength
to resist the devil's malicious plans.
Once we have a full understanding of the gospel, we can help others understand the gospel and help lead
them to the lord. We can effectively communicate the gospel to others by living it out. If others see how
we rejoicefully live our life for the lord they may want to do the same.
•
