There’s a strange thing happening in our cultural moment. Some of the loudest voices defending truth, freedom, and tradition aren’t pastors or theologians—but podcast hosts, political commentators, business tycoons, and former skeptics.
People like Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, and even Richard Dawkins have found themselves—perhaps reluctantly—standing against the leftist tide and affirming the social, philosophical, and moral benefits of Christianity.
They aren’t Christians in the biblical sense. Some are atheists. Others are spiritual but vague. Some admire Jesus, but none confess Him as Lord.
Yet, they are becoming cultural allies to many Christians. And that creates both an opportunity—and a temptation.
A Shared Enemy Can Lead to a Shallow Alliance
There is a real and growing hostility toward Christianity—particularly toward its sexual ethics, moral absolutes, and exclusive claims to truth. In response, many Christians have found common ground with cultural Christians who see the same threat coming.
This shared opposition has led to an informal coalition: the free-speech advocates, the traditionalists, the libertarians, the post-woke atheists, and the red-pilled influencers. They say things that sound like biblical wisdom. They call out the madness. They defend sanity and science. They fight for liberty and the family.
And we cheer them on, rightly, when they say what many pastors won’t.
But here’s the danger: We can become so grateful for their defense of Christian values that we stop preaching the Christian gospel.
The Mission Creep of Gospel People
The church does not exist to build coalitions. It exists to make disciples.
When we begin to see cultural Christianity as “close enough,” we lose our prophetic clarity. We begin to settle for shared morals instead of shared faith. We lose our edge. We compromise.
Suddenly, the gospel gets replaced by a vague call to “return to tradition,” or “defend the West,” or “stand for truth,” as if those slogans can raise the dead.
The truth is: traditional values can’t save a soul.
Logic can’t produce faith.
Order can’t conquer sin.
Only Jesus can.
The Lost Among Our Allies
We must remember that cultural Christians—even the famous, articulate, brilliant ones—are still lost without Christ.
They may quote Scripture. They may admire the church. They may speak out against secular insanity. But if they have not repented and believed, they are still under judgment. Their agreement with us on political or moral matters does not change their eternal condition.
In fact, their proximity to truth may make their rejection even more tragic.
- Musk may defend free speech—but he does not know the truth that sets men free.
- Rogan may explore God on his podcast—but he has not surrendered to Him.
- Peterson may tremble at Christ—but he has not yet fallen to his knees in faith.
- Dawkins may admit Christianity is more reasonable than its enemies—but he still rejects its claims.
These men, as influential and powerful as they are, are still not saved.
At least, not yet.
Don’t Stop Nudging
It’s tempting to leave them where they are, because we’re grateful for their help. But that’s not love.
True love shares the gospel.
True love risks offense.
True love tells the truth—that no one is righteous, not even those who fight for what is right.
We should celebrate every step these men, and men like these, take toward the truth. But we must also be the ones pointing them the rest of the way. We must learn to be bold enough to say: “You’re close—but you’re not there yet. Let me help you.”
A Word to the Church
The social conservative movement in America is growing increasingly spiritual—referencing God, truth, goodness, and tradition—but that does not mean it is turning to Christ. With that, we cannot be tempted to make light of the mission of God to preach everywhere because we’re afraid that it will alienate our allies.
Here’s the truth:
Christ is not honored by alliances. He is honored by allegiance. He doesn’t want admiration. He wants obedience.
So let us keep fighting the good fight—but let us never forget what that fight is:
To proclaim Christ. To preach the gospel. To make disciples.
Because the enemy of our greater enemy may be a friend.
But he is still a sinner in need of a Savior.