Moralistic Therapeutic Deism... huh?

I have recently encountered a view of religion largely held by teenagers in the United States. It is called Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, or MTD. The idea of MTD is mainly that God is a divine butler/therapist, who created you, and waits without interaction until you need something, or something is wrong. When an event such as this occurs, God comes, fixes the problem, and then leaves.

I disagree with the ideas of MTD. I disagree that all God is here to do is make us feel better. I also do not believe that he helps us and then leaves, and awaits our next cry for help. I think he is always interacting with us.

MTD compares God to a clock maker. A clock maker creates the clock, then it is sold and he has no interaction with it again. Similarly, God created the world, then just sits aside without any connection with the world.

I find it strange that people feel that God is just a divine therapist, indicated by the Therapeutic aspect of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. God is so much more than just somebody who is just around to make you feel better when something is wrong.

God is so much more.

A God-Centered Life

The verses from the Bible that I feel have influenced my life most come from Proverbs and Matthew. Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.” This verse is reflected by my life in various ways. After I left my first monastery, people heard of the miracle that was performed by God that kept me from being poisoned. The masses came from far and wide to see me perform a miracle or bless their sick relative or anything to demonstrate God’s love and His life in me. Well, the majority of the people were very poor, so I decided it would be a gesture that God would like for me to build schools and living quarters for all the people. I built a total of thirteen monasteries in the valley near Enfide, where people came to learn and where their lives can be dedicated to God.

The other verse is Matthew 19:21. It says, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This verse is reflected in my life because I followed this verse as closely as possible in my own life. When I became a monk, I gave up all of my possessions to dedicate my life to God’s work. I sold my possessions to live a Christocentric life.

Dodging a Bullet

While I was living in Enfide, living a quiet and peaceful life, I met a hermit who convinced me to become a hermit like him. I lived in seclusion for a few years, then decided it was time to help people. So I left my cave and set out looking for a monastery. When I found one to live in for a few years, I worked hard and moved up in the ranks. I soon became abbot of the monastery. I was living the high and holy life, and things seemed to be going pretty well. Then, near disaster: my monk brothers became insanely jealous of my position of stature in the monastery. One evening, we had all sat down to silent dinner, as was customary. I began to pray a blessing over the cup of wine sitting before me on the table. Suddenly, the glass shattered; it was poisoned! I hesitantly continued with the meal. I then commenced to pray a blessing over the loaf of bread in front of me. Suddenly, a large black raven swooped down and grabbed the bread off the table. The Lord was truly watching over me that evening. From this time my miracles seem to have become frequent, and many people, attracted by my sanctity and character, came to Subiaco to be under my guidance.