About book Almost Christian: What The Faith Of Our Teenagers Is Telling The American Church (2010)
Very insightful exploration of MTD (Moralistic, Therapeutic, Deism), which is the dominant religious outlook of American Youth and based on a lengthy study called the New Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), which surveys 13-17 year olds. Dean, herself a youth pastor and Princeton seminary professor, draws out some surprising and disconcerting implications from the data. However, I also found hope in her bleak assessment of Christianity in America. It's good to know what we're up against. As a campus missionary, I see the same trends in college students. Learned a ton. The book’s main premise is that our Christian youth today have adopted their theological beliefs (described as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism) by watching the older generation. Evidence shows that young people who live in the midst of a Christian community whose focus is on living out the mission of God experience meaningful faith.I especially appreciated the section on "translation," which is really a missiological message on incarnation. The author develops excellent thoughts on the importance of living an active, outward focused faith, on mission, in community (missional), and how this type of lifestyle can counteract the cultural tug to Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.
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Heard that Kenda Creasy Dean's blog has a study guide for use with the book.
—angeleyes77721
I like the information; however, the writing was too clinical.
—sidewaysshrink
A great look at the state of todays church.
—liam99
