Part of my role as an evangelist is to keep an eye on the world. After all, if you want to reach people, it’s helpful to know where to find them. Yet the world about us changes, and sometimes surprisingly so. In the last year or so it’s become obvious that there’s a new mood around – what’s being called "cultural Christianity".
Identify with Christianity and its values without being, in any real sense, true followers of Christ.
Those who hold to cultural Christianity identify with Christianity and its values without being, in any real sense, true followers of Christ. They appreciate Christian culture, talk up the values of the faith and even attend church, but they hold back from a genuine, authentic belief and any personal trust in a risen, living Jesus who they can know and pray to.
In some respects, it’s the sort of nominal Christianity that has always been present in churches but it’s now a clear and openly held position. Even Richard Dawkins, long considered the high priest of atheism, has declared that he is a "cultural Christian".
So what’s going on? Well I think that there is a growing recognition that not all cultures are similar and much of what we have long taken for granted and prized in the modern Western world has its roots in the Christian faith. So there is an awareness that, for instance, the high value placed on such things as truth, tolerance, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, fidelity in marriage and the worth of every individual regardless of gender or wealth, does not arise automatically from human genes but, in their highest and strongest form, are the product of Christian beliefs.
Christianity—the most global of world religions—largely ignores matters of nation and race.
Here I must insist in a rejection of such nationalistic or even racist views that these are so-called "British values". If such virtues have been upheld in our islands it is because they have been taught here by the church over many centuries. The reality is that Christianity—the most global of world religions—largely ignores matters of nation and race. Indeed, in the UK today some of the most thriving churches are those of African, Caribbean, Chinese or Iranian Christians.
There is much that is good about cultural Christianity. For one thing there is an endorsement of the Bible and the gospel. The New Testament repeatedly teaches that our faith should produce good fruit (Matthew 7:16, Luke 6:43-45) and cultural Christianity recognizes that the gospel is good and has done good.
Another benefit is that there is now a new and welcome acceptance of our faith. The harsh days of ‘New Atheism’ are long gone. Whereas in the past a claim to be a Christian might have been greeted with hostility or mockery, now it’s more likely to arouse interest and even envy.
Cultural Christianity may be a first step to a genuine faith in Christ.
And finally, cultural Christianity may be a first step to a genuine faith in Christ. Many people travel to faith through a series of concentric contacts: they know of Christianity, they then know Christians, and then they come to know Christ and to trust in him.
So there is much that is good in cultural Christianity, yet there is something frustrating and inadequate about it. Ultimately, it is a belief in Christianity as a religion but not a belief in Christ; a trust in a system, not a savior.
To attend church services but not actually to pray to Christ is not the real thing! Equally, it’s a weak faith. Commitment-light cultural Christianity has no fixed rules and indeed can have a ‘pick and mix’ aspect to it.
The core of an authentic Christian faith is a committed obedient relationship with Christ as Lord, and that is missing in Cultural Christianity. Cultural Christianity also strikes me as being inadequate; a joyless belief that offers no challenge in life and no comfort in death.
And, of course, we cannot ignore the frightening words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV): ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”’
People who are convinced, but not yet committed.
Yet let’s be positive. Cultural Christianity presents an extraordinary opportunity for witness. These are people who are convinced, but not yet committed. They are our friends, but not yet family.
They are standing outside the restaurant gazing at the menu when there are tables available. They are hovering around the swimming pool when they could be getting in the water. They are standing outside the door of faith, behind which Christ stands knocking, but they are reluctant to open it.
Invite such people to meetings, to Bible studies, to conversations about true faith. And, above all, pray for them to move on from being spectators and supporters to becoming genuine sons and daughters of God. Cultural Christians need to become committed Christians!
Originally published by Philo Trust. Republished with permission.
J.John is an evangelist, minister, speaker, broadcaster and writer. He has been in ministry for four decades. He has spoken in towns, cities and universities in 69 countries, establishing Philo Trust in 1982 to organize his various evangelistic ministry offerings. J.John’s weekly podcast, The J.John Podcast, features a range of interviews with Christians from all walks of life and talks by J.John. Click here to listen. J.John’s books are available to order via jjohn.com or through other online or physical bookshops.
Philo Trust was established by J.John in 1982 to organize evangelistic events and projects, equip Christians to naturally share their faith, mentor evangelists, and produce books and resources to help people in their journey of faith.
