Actually the story is about "almost Christian" teenagers, but many of the points apply equally well to adults. The lead says that most kids today are being taught that God loves you and wants you to be happy; be nice to everybody and pray if you get in trouble. While it's OK, it doesn't have much to do with Jesus. The study is done by Kenda Creasy Dean of Princeton Theological Seminary and uses the term "almost Christian" because although the kids believe in God, they don't believe in bedrock Christian doctrines. Professor Dean says that:
"Researchers found that most young people believe in something they labeled 'Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.' It helps you feel good. Otherwise God stays out of the way.”
MTD - a very useful term describing a very common approach to faith: God blesses your agenda, helps you feel good, and otherwise makes no demands on your life. Cool! A God like this is so, well so convenient. This also describes the faith of a lot of adults. It certainly reflects our radically individualistic culture. And it's probably a vaccine against a grounded faith with the Living God. We need to know all we can about this phenomena and work to develop ways to get through the lie of this phony faith and get people grounded on the Rock.
www.mydesert.com/article/20100904/LIFESTYLES06/9030343/+Almost+Christian+++teenagers+cause+concern+for+church+scholars
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