Author: Jon Wymer (Page 1 of 2)

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.

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.

A grace view of the world is possible. But what does it look like?

You may have been taught at a young age that salvation is by God's grace. I was raised from childhood that salvation is all about God's grace. But, and it's a big but, the whole religious system I was raised with only featured grace in that one specific spot.