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I agree with your view on American Christianity. But do you consider a milder variant of the statement in the article, namely something along the lines of 'Challenges can help me grow (in faith, in character, etc.)' to be heretical as well?

(just curious; no hidden agenda here)

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The phrase "Challenges can help me grow" is specific to the individual; that is, how you choose to accept them. The phrase "God's plan" implies that you are claiming to understand it in terms of not only what has happened to you, but what will happen to you in the future. It is one part prophesy, one part imposing your own desires and will upon God.

I don't know that I would personally consider it "heretical" (especially since I am an agnostic by way of Catholicism) but that would be my stab at understanding the difference between the phrases.

Not at all, because the key distinction is what you are growing in. "Olympic class material" is very different from the spiritual growth in things like faith, love, peace that the Bible prescribes.

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