A lot of my friends aren’t Christians, but we tend to have a lot of talks about God and spirituality, usually over cigars on the back patio. I never know quite what to say and always end up feeling like an idiot for what I do. I read this blog by Matthew Raley titled “What’s Missing From the Needy Self.” Here’s the passage I liked:

But moralism has been the downfall of contemporary Christianity. The precepts of godly wisdom nurture life in those who already have life; but among the legions who do not, the Get a clue! method of preaching doesn’t edify. The “practical applications” of moralism merely compound people’s guilt.

Moralism has been the downfall of Christianity because it is not the gospel.