Recently I read the following excerpts from an article caused me ponder the idea of “cultural Christianity.” It read:
[T]he world’s richest person, Elon Musk, announced that he’s a “big believer in the principles of Christianity” and “a cultural Christian.” Musk’s reasons are moral and political–he believes Christianity can boost both happiness and birthrates. The prominent atheist, Richard Dawkins, calls Christianity’s core claims “obvious nonsense,” but he still identifies as a “cultural Christian” because he enjoys hymns and cathedrals. Others see moral value in Christianity. The British conservative commentator Douglas Murray calls himself a “Christian atheist,” rejecting key Christian beliefs, but valuing its moral ideas like the “sanctity of the individual.”
In this devotional we will define “Cultural Christianity” and discuss whether it is sustainable or satisfying.
First, it’s important to recognize that “cultural Christianity” is a completely separate religion from Biblical Christianity. Essentially, “cultural Christianity” is based upon choosing specific rules or traditions of Biblical Christianity and ignoring a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Followers of Cultural Christianity cherry pick Biblical standards or rules which they perceive add value to their life, but reject God’s plan of salvation which enables humanity to have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Cultural Christianity manifests itself in countless ways. People join a church to develop community or find a spouse. They give to charity for a great tax break or to feel good about themselves. They wear a cross necklace or tattoo to add a “Christian” aspect to their identity. Political candidates word-salad Biblical ideas to win elections. The Bible rules are good when they serve conveniences and support physical desires. After all, it IS a better world where no one steals your car, traffics your child, or rapes your wife, right? Sorry, that seems a little harsh—but it’s meant to prove a very important point.
According to the Bible, cultural Christianity is NOT sustainable and it will NEVER satisfy your soul!
Why do I say this? Well, consider this, would a marriage really be a marriage if you and your spouse simply obeyed a set of rules but never experienced intimate communication or shared the deep experience of love? It’s not a marriage at all—it’s simply a contract you could make with anyone. Isn’t it missing the greater point of marriage; that is, the intimate bond of a heart and soul partnership and sharing everything important in life? If we know we were designed to experience deep and abiding love within a marriage relationship—why would we settle for rule-based partnership? It would neither be satisfying nor sustainable.
Intimacy with God at the heart of Biblical Christianity.
Our soul and spirit were designed for a deep and abiding relationship with God. Who is God? The Bible teaches us, He is a Spirit, and the spiritual part of us (our soul and spirit) was designed to have a relationship with Him. The Bible is clear that the only way this happens is when we receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. We must come to God on His terms. And when we do, what we receive in exchange is a relationship which exceeds our greatest expectations!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
But my friend, please understand that “believing” in Christ is far more than a mental acknowledgment of truth. Satan also acknowledges the identity of the Son of God. (Mark 5:7). When we are born into God’s family, it changes us. It transforms our life. Following rules (“works”) doesn’t produce a relationship with God—indeed the Bible makes it clear that is impossible. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Rather, our works are meant to be the proof of our relationship with God.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
It’s easy to see why Cultural Christianity is appealing. But if it hides the truth and the eternal horrific consequences (hell) of mankind without Christ, then it’s DANGEROUS and it’s very important to be able to identify it. Your life depends on it. The lives of those you love most depend upon knowing the truth before their car drives off the cliff of death. We will all stand before God someday in either the Great White Throne Judgment or the Judgment Seat of Christ. Know the difference. After our physical death, there is no turning back.
Knowing the truth about Biblical Christianity frees us and allows us to be instruments of freedom!
To wrap up this devotional, we have provided a list of some of the tenants of the different brands of Cultural Christianity and the scriptures which reveal how each one is contrary to God’s Word. My friend, it is only God’s truth that frees us from the mess of sin. Following the rules without the relationship are neither sustainable nor satisfying. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father except through His glorious gift of salvation.
The many brands of Cultural Christianity manifest itself in a variety of beliefs, which include:
- Denying the Divine inspiration of the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
- Rarely emphasizing the need for repentance in salvation. That is, the desire to forsake sin and turn to God—as a critical part to receiving Him as Lord and Savior. (Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38)
- Disproportionally emphasizing Jesus’ love and ignoring the truth about hard things like hell, obedience, and self-sacrifice. (Matthew 4:17; 23:33; Mark 9:43; Luke 12:5)
- Celebrating and tolerating any sin which clearly violates the righteousness of God which indwells every true believer. (Romans 1:32; 1 Corinthians 5:1–2; 1 John 3:9–10)
- Conforming or distorting scriptural truths to accommodate cultural shifts. (Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6)
- Claiming Jesus was just a good man rather than God in the flesh who is the Lord of all and sacrifice for our sin. (Matthew 10:34; Mark 14:7; John 13:13; 14:6)
- Representing that one may claim God’s blessings while ignoring obedience to His Word. (Psalm 50:16; Jeremiah 18:10)
- Claiming good works (or good works mixed with grace) are enough to reconcile us to God and thus denying that Jesus is the only way to the Father and eternal life. (John 3:15–18; 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Substituting the feelings which come from performing religious activities for a rich and devoted relationship with Christ. (Galatians 5:16–17; Romans 8:9)
- Representing that protection, resources, and physical blessings are the primary reason for Christianity rather than simply the byproducts of an eternal and precious love-relationship with God. (Mark 12:30; Deuteronomy 11:13–17)
- Encouraging the choice of a church based upon any other reason than that the Holy Spirit is adding one to the church (which includes any or all of the above.) (Acts 2:47; Revelation 3:15–17)
My friend, if Cultural Christianity is the truth, then—God’s Word is a lie and Jesus was either a liar or a lunatic and Richard Dawkins is right, Biblical Christianity is “obvious nonsense.”
Who do you trust with your eternity?
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” ~Jesus
Matthew 7:21-23
2 Responses
What a timely, appropriate reminder! Thank you.
Amen!