What is “cultural Christianity”

“I call myself a cultural Christian. I’m not a believer but there’s a distinction between being a believing Christian and being a cultural Christian.”

This is a quote from an interview with the famous atheist biologist Richard Dawkins.

Dawkins spends most of the interview making a spirited defense for the maintenance of the UK’s Christian roots, especially against the rising tide of Islam in the West.

The irony is far from subtle. 

Most of Dawkins’s career has built on his opposition to Christian theology. Yet, he’s adamant in expressing his admiration for the fruit of said theology whether that be hymns, Christmas carols, cathedrals, etc. 

It seems that Dawkins, staunch atheist as he is, cannot help but acknowledge the cultural power and relevance of the Way of Jesus.

And he’s far from the only one.

“What do you mean by ‘believe’?”

At the time of writing this a certain video has been making its rounds across the internet.

It comes from the YouTube channel Jubilee and stars famed Canadian psychologist Jordan B. Peterson.

The video, apparently once titled 1 Christian versus 20 atheists, has quickly garnered over 6 million views - with this clip in particular garnering a lot of attention:

When asked point blank if he is a Christian, Peterson refuses to give a straight answer.

It's rather strange as he’s no stranger to defending biblical values and their importance in society. 

Like Dawkins, Peterson is quick to point out the enduring cultural relevance of Christianity but even more than that, he’s also quick to defend the integrity of its stories and message - or, at least, his interpretation of these things.

And, yet, when asked point blank if he thinks Jesus literally rose from the dead, the best he can seem to muster is a one-foot-in-one-foot-out answer.

Cultural Christianity 

Examples like Peterson and Dawkins show the wide appeal and reach of cultural Christianity.

By cultural Christianity, I mean the embrace and even advocacy for the cultural contributions of the faith without acceptance of the theological foundation behind them - i.e. the Gospel.

So what do we make of that?

Is it bad? An erosion of the faith, sucking dry the reality of Christ that motivated these contributions in the first place?

Or is it, for many, the beginning of a journey towards following Jesus? Falling in love with the fruits and, gradually, being led back to their source?

We’ll take a look at that this week as we explore the topic of cultural Christianity and what comes with it.

And believe me when I say it’s going to be a good conversation. ;) 

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

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