(Post 2 in the series: “Cultural Christianity: Close, But Not Converted”. Read Post 1 here)
When we think of cultural Christians, we often picture outsiders—those who admire Christianity’s contributions to civilization but stop short of belief in Christ. But the more subtle and often more dangerous form of cultural Christianity sits comfortably inside the church.
These are the ones who carry the appearance of Christianity but not its substance. They participate in church events. They may serve, tithe, even lead. They like what the church stands for—tradition, charity, decency—but they have never submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. They celebrate Christian holidays, but don’t reckon with their meaning. They grew up in the church, but never grew up in Christ.
These are not seekers. These are not new believers still learning to walk. This isn’t about the agnostic attending a Christmas service or the skeptic who keeps showing up with questions. There’s grace for the one who’s genuinely moving toward Christ, no matter how far off they start.
This is about those who have stopped moving altogether.
A Quiet but Deadly Heresy
At the heart of cultural Christianity is a quiet but deadly heresy: that good people go to heaven.
This belief fills the minds of those who’ve never repented yet assume they’re “right with God.” They may affirm God’s existence but not His authority. They may admire Jesus, but not obey Him. They cherish the moral order Christianity brings, but they remain untouched by the Holy Spirit.
Their faith is inherited, not embraced. Practiced, but not possessed. Familiar, but not transforming. Somewhere along the line, the gospel became more about heritage than about transformation. Jesus became a family figure, not a personal Savior. Faith became a routine, not a rebirth.
This is especially common in places where Christianity still holds cultural capital—parts of the American South, tight-knit immigrant communities, and among families where church tradition is strong, but conviction has thinned out. It’s passed down like a family recipe—warm, familiar, and assumed. But it’s no longer alive.
What’s the Difference Between Cultural and Nominal Christians?
Some may ask, “Aren’t these just nominal Christians?” Functionally, yes. The only real difference is where we tend to place them. We label cultural Christians as outsiders who appreciate Christian heritage. We see nominal Christians as insiders—those who claim the name but lack the heart.
But both operate from the same delusion: that Christianity is valuable, admirable, even useful—just not worthy of surrender.
And this form of Christianity—respectable, hollow, unconverted—is the most deceptive of all. It lives in the sanctuary and sings in the choir. It shakes hands and smiles. It fills out the attendance card, and maybe even leads the Bible study.
But it has never bowed to Christ.
The Silent Crisis in the Church
This is the hidden crisis in many churches: we have a crowd, but not always a congregation. We have participation, but not always repentance. We have Christian community, but not Christian conversion.
And no one wants to talk about it.
Why? Because to confront it means disrupting the peace. It means calling out the illusion of commitment. It means preaching a gospel that not only comforts but cuts. And far too many churches—especially those built around image, numbers, or convenience—have trained themselves to avoid anything sharp.
Worst of all, cultural Christianity makes the church a comfortable place to go to hell.
Respecting the Church, But Not the Christ
Cultural Christians may admire the church. They like its social work. They support its charities. They believe Christianity contributes to decency and order. But that’s where it ends.
- When it comes to Scripture, they’re detached.
- When it comes to holiness, they’re indifferent.
- When it comes to the truth, they’re evasive.
- When it comes to the Lordship of Christ, they’re silent.
They’ll wear the cross, but never carry one.
The Gospel Must Be Preached—Even in the Church
If we are to confront cultural Christianity within our own ranks, we cannot settle for shallow teaching or soft platitudes. We must recover the sharp edge of biblical preaching:
- Preach sin plainly.
- Call for repentance regularly.
- Explain salvation clearly.
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 7:21). That warning wasn’t for pagans—it was for the religious. People who believed they were in, but were never born again.
Churches Built for Width, Not Depth
Too many churches are designed to attract but not convict. They aim for inspiration over transformation. Production value replaces prophetic voice. Sermons become spiritual TED Talks, and discipleship becomes brand management.
But Jesus didn’t say, “Go and grow your platform.”
He said, “Go and make disciples.”
It is possible to draw a crowd and never build a church.
Every Soul Is Still on a Journey
Even cultural Christians are on a spiritual journey. Though many are stuck or have stopped seeking, they are not beyond hope. They may be sitting by the road, delighting in the parade of Christian activity passing by—but they can still be called.
Not coddled.
Not affirmed in their apathy.
But lovingly confronted and invited into the real faith they’ve yet to experience.
They don’t need more church activities.
They need to meet Christ.
Final Thought
The church’s mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Real ones. Surrendered ones. Saved ones.
We cannot
- confuse proximity with salvation.
- mistake tradition for transformation.
- build ministries while neglecting the call to repentance.
So let us begin with our own house.
Let the gospel thunder from our pulpits again.
Let the Scriptures be opened. Let sin be named. Let grace be offered.
Let the call to follow Jesus—fully, finally, and forever—be made plain.
Because a church filled with cultural Christians is not a faithful church.
It is a hollow one.
And Christ is not returning for a shell.
He’s coming for a bride.