The course of my life as well as my work in ministry has been largely taken up with helping others with the practical problems of their life, while grappling with the practical problems of my own life. Simply put: real world problems are always present. The fears and worries, now often called anxieties, of our lives never seem to go away. Most people come to religion or faith not to gain better logic or more effective ammunition for debate. Everyday people are looking for useful solutions to their own practical problems.
Christianity is the idea that God's work changes how people think and live.
In contrast to moralism, the way God actually works in people's lives is not a transaction where God simply blesses good people with good things.
In moralism, God cares most about people doing right. If the world was ideal according to moralism, people would follow the moral rules. The worst problems in moralism are when people are not "nice" or fail to follow the rules (whatever those rules may be).
Some people may have a perception of Christianity that it must be overwhelmingly polite and "nice." This is certainly not the case.
Moralism is never satisfied. When you believe that the important things in life depend on your own effort, including how God views you and treats you, you can never do enough.
The problem with moralism is that it twists the whole Bible in a subtle but profound way into an exercise in being a good person to experience a good life.
I have found in nearly two decades of work as a pastor that it I run into moralism so often in working with people that I feel confident saying it is the prevalent American religion.
Why talk about the structure of salvation? Isn't this a pretty theoretical and divisive topic?
I believe there is a God. And since there is a God, there is immense freedom and grace for me. Because I am not God.