Many of our nations values are deeply rooted in Christianity and the teachings of Jesus. Christians seeking religious freedom were among the early comers to America, and their influence played a big part in the formation of cultural and civil practices. It’s influence was so great that the United States came to be known as a Christian nation.
Much has changed over the years, yet family background and social environment continues to influence many in their support of Christian values. Things like kindness, generosity, love, helping the needy, and forgiveness are considered honorable and desirable. Those in this camp are often referred to as cultural Christians, and may identify as Christians. Yet it has nothing to do with a personal faith in Jesus and is more social than spiritual. Some are even agnostics and atheists.
In a recent interview, Elon Musk said he was a big believer in the principles of Christianity and considered himself a cultural Christian. “While I’m not a particularly religious person”, Musk said, “I do believe that the teachings of Jesus are good and wise…I would say I’m probably a cultural Christian.”
Atheist Richard Dawkins, author or The God Delusion, says he doesn’t believe a word of the Christian faith, yet considers himself a cultural Christian. “I love hymns and Christmas carols and I sort of feel at home in the Christian ethos...If I had to choose between Christianity and Islam, I’d choose Christianity every single time. It seems to me to be a fundamentally decent religion, in a way that I think Islam is not.”
So is cultural Christianity good? Absolutely! Any society that embraces the teachings of Christianity will experience a kinder, gentler, safer, and more productive environment.
But there are dangers.
The first time we see the word Christian in the Bible (Acts 11:26), it has nothing to do with culture. In fact, it was anti-cultural. It was the name given to those who had become followers of Jesus and embraced the good news of forgiveness of sin and a forever relationship with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was a relationship with God that reoriented their lives from top to bottom. Jesus was their Lord and Savior.
This is absent from cultural Christianity because the focus is on social goodness rather than a relationship with God. The hope is that the pursuit of noble Christian values and virtuous moral behavior will put them in God’s good favor. But it's a false hope because it lacks the power to heal a broken relationship with God.
But there is another danger, and this one hits closer to home. Cultural Christianity has caused many true Christians and churches to think very little about communicating the gospel to others. After all, so many already “believe” in Jesus, go to church, and are generally good people. Cultural Christianity has lulled the people of God into thinking that everything is just fine.
But it isn’t. According to a recent Barna Group survey, more than 53% of those living in America, many who identify as Christians, don’t have a clear understanding of the gospel. So don’t think because someone calls themselves a Christian they don’t need to hear the Gospel. There’s a good chance it may just be a cultural thing & they need someone, like you & me, to explain the good news and introduce them to a personal relationship with Jesus.
That’s what true Christians do.