Concerning “Moral Therapeutic Deism.” This is a term describing our current cultural moment where there is lack of true saving faith in so many—yet a strong desire to appear very “Moral,” a pursuit of “Therapeutic” self-help philosophies syncretistic with language of faith/God, and a “Deism” of the day that affirms that God may exist.

Concerning “Bible Belt Christianity.” How would you lead people to a salvation that they believe they already possess? How would you get people to consider following Jesus when they’ve “prayed a prayer” a handful of times and are now just living their best life? The most common idea among lost people who think they are saved is “good people go to heaven.” So we’re surrounded by a majority of people adhering to the idea that “God exists” and possibly that “Jesus died on the cross,” but see no significance with that in their daily lives.

Concerning “Legalistic Beyond-Bible List Christianity.” The Bible Belt is also full of people who have grown up in vey legalistic, spiritually prideful, oppressive “forms” that stressed man-made rules over Biblical accuracy. This is the same Pharisaical immaturity Jesus and the early church dealt with consistently. This destroys love and passion for Christ by adding man-made sets of rules in attempting to “tighten up” areas that God and the Bible left too loose. There are so many “de-churched” and “ex-churched” people who need to be re-introduced to the true Biblical God, the true Biblical Jesus, the true Biblical gospel, the true Biblical local church, and a true Biblical Christianity.

We welcome those who need the love, grace, and truth that God desires for us to live in. Many churches, past and present, think that we must choose between being a “truth” church and a “grace/loving” church. We must be both. Jesus “came in grace and truth.” This was what was so disturbing to the religious crowds.