Cultural Christianity refers to the phenomenon of people identifying as Christian and partaking in Christian traditions and practices, without necessarily having a deep personal faith in Jesus Christ. A culturally Christian person may attend church on holidays, get married in a church, and identify as a Christian on surveys, but not have an active relationship with God or incorporate their faith into their day-to-day lives.
There are several potential reasons why cultural Christianity develops:
- Family tradition – People are raised in a Christian family and continue to identify with that faith group culturally, even if their personal beliefs evolve away from orthodox Christianity.
- Societal norm – In many places, particularly Western countries, Christianity has been the dominant faith for centuries. Identifying as a Christian is seen as mainstream even if one’s actual beliefs don’t align with Christian teachings.
- Cherry-picking – Some adhere to certain Christian principles they find useful or agreeable but disregard other aspects of the faith.
- Holiday appeal – Participating in major Christian holiday traditions can seem fun and meaningful even if the religious elements hold little personal significance.
- Community belonging – Identifying as Christian allows participation in church community events and relationships even without devotion to the faith itself.
There are several key differences between cultural Christians and devout, practicing Christians:
- Cultural Christians do not have a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ or commitment to him. Their Christian identity stems from family, society, tradition, or community rather than an inner conviction about biblical truths.
- They do not prioritize church attendance or service and are unlikely to be involved in ministry activities. Attendance is generally limited to major holidays.
- They selectively adhere to Christian principles they find agreeable but do not submit to biblical authority on issues like sexuality, integrity, forgiveness, and stewardship.
- Outward practices take precedence over inward change for cultural Christians. They focus on maintaining a Christian veneer more than nurturing spiritual growth.
- Cultural Christians lack assurance in their salvation. Their ambivalence toward the gospel keeps them from placing their faith fully in Christ.
The Bible contains both positive examples of wholehearted commitment to God as well as warnings against lukewarm, cultural faith:
Examples of genuine faith:
- The early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, and prayer (Acts 2:42)
- Lydia responded immediately to the gospel message – she and her whole household were baptized after she opened her heart to Christ (Acts 16:14-15)
- Jesus commended those who hear God’s word, retain it, and persevere to bear fruit through patient endurance (Luke 8:15)
Warnings against cultural religion:
- Jesus rebuked those who gave outward, visible signs of faith like tithing and praying but inwardly remained dead in their sins (Matthew 23:25-28)
- God desires mercy, not just external sacrifices and ritual observances (Matthew 9:13)
- Jesus will declare “I never knew you” to some who prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles in His name (Matthew 7:21-23)
- Those who believe but have no repentance, obedience, or spiritual fruit will be cut off and burned (John 15:1-6)
Cultural Christianity is distinct from several other related phenomena:
- Nominal Christianity – This refers to people who identify as Christian based on name or heritage but do not practice the faith. Cultural Christians adhere more actively to at least some Christian practices.
- Cafeteria Christianity – This term describes selectively adhering to some Christian beliefs while rejecting others outright. Cultural Christians are similar but less consciously selective.
- Moralistic Therapeutic Deism – This sociological term refers to adherence to a God who exists for our benefit and wants us to be nice and happy. It differs from cultural Christianity in its focus on self rather than outward religious practices.
- Agnosticism or atheism – Those who question Christian beliefs or do not believe in any gods differ from cultural Christians who maintain a Christian self-identity.
Cultural Christianity is a complex phenomenon with both positive and negative elements:
Positive aspects:
- Provides a sense of community and source of values
- Promotes altruism, ethical behavior, human dignity, charity, and justice
- Facilitates artistic, cultural, intellectual and architectural accomplishments
- Fosters shared identity, rituals, and rites of passage honoring life’s milestones
Negative aspects:
- Offers a distorted understanding of biblical Christianity and the gospel
- Breeds complacency about one’s need for salvation
- Equates spiritual maturity with external adherence rather than inward renewal
- Allows selective morality according to personal preferences rather than biblical authority
- Lacks spiritual power to defeat sin, self-interest, and social injustice
Cultural Christianity is distinct from mature, biblical faith in Christ. At its best, it offers beneficial values and community. At its worst, it deceives people into missing the transformative power of the gospel. Sobering warnings in Scripture against superficial religion highlight the importance of preaching for radical life change by the Spirit, not just behavior modification and outward conformity.
Churches face the challenge of revitalizing cultural Christianity into authentic devotion to God. This requires relevant preaching, modeling maturity, facilitating mentoring relationships, and instituting accountability for spiritual growth. Cultural Christians may benefit from lovingly-presented teaching distinguishing between genuine salvation and merely adopting a Christian label. Evangelism in today’s post-Christian society requires confronting cultural Christianity’s distortions of biblical faith. Renewal occurs when the Spirit enlightens minds, softens hearts, and ignites fire for Christ, as the book of Acts demonstrates.
Cultural Christianity will likely persist as a sociological phenomenon wherever Christian influence shapes values and traditions. But mature followers of Jesus must avoid settling for its outward trappings devoid of inward reality. The gospel demands total transformation of both heart and life in Christ. Bible-believing churches should aim, by God’s grace, to foster communities of authentic, obedient disciples rather than merely cultural Christians.
