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In Soul Searching, researcher Christian Smith concludes, "It seems that when the engagement and education of youth by their religious communities is weak, then the faith of teenagers in those traditions tends to degenerate into Moralistice Therapeutic Deism." Smith reports that this deism, a generalized concept that God merely exists and wants people to "be good," may be "the new mainstream American religious faith for our culturally post-Christian, individualistic, mass-consumer capitalist society."
The implications of smiths findings are important to Lutheran parents, youth workers, and pastors. The Gospel is God's special revelation, His great gift and promise, His unveiling of Himself in the person of Christ. As such, the Gospel is not something that can be stumbled upon by chance. It must be taught and modeled by the Church, and as members of the Church, we are given the responsibility of passing the truth of God's love down to our children, and passing it down verbatim.
Apologia talk sheets provide evaluation of relevant doctrinal issues with Scriptural and doctrinal connects, all in bite-sized, easy to understand segments. It is a useful tool as you work to combat confusion among the youth you teach. |
