The Rise of the New Cultural Christianity

This is an interesting and insightful article by Andrew Walker on the recent rise of high profile "cultural Christians". Elon Musk and Richard Dawkins (of new atheist fame) have declared themselves cultural Christians. They seem to see the good effects of Christian morality on Western culture and are afraid to lose that foundation to "anything goes" progressivism. So while they don't proclaim faith in Jesus, they have come to see some merit in his morality.

This article has encouraged me to rethink the way I address cultural Christianity. My gentle pushback on Walker is that this is a new cultural Christianity where the "cultural Christians" KNOW they are not Christians. They are longing for the continued good that Christianity has brought without thinking they are followers of Jesus, which Walker acknowledges.

I would distinguish this from the cultural Christianity that is (or has been) dominant in the South where Christianity has been so pervasive (a good thing) and people have done or been attached to so many Christian things (I was baptized, I am a church member, I went to church growing up, my grandad was a preacher) that they are deceived and THINK they are Christians. This is more difficult to address than the New Cultural Christianity. I can work with someone who admires Christianity and knows they aren't a Christian. It is harder to do so with someone who does Christian-type things because of background and takes offense to you thinking they aren't a Christian because there is no faith in Christ. Many in my area would cry, "Lord, Lord, did we not . . ." only to discover they aren't known by Christ as his followers.

Let me hasten to add that the Southern cultural Christianity isn't inherently bad (for example, it has warded off some of the craziness that has enveloped some areas - just look at the overall lack of antiemetic protests on Southern college campuses). It is important to note that this brand of cultural Christianity is waning fast, and in 15-20 we'll likely be serving the New Cultural Christians.

Ultimately Walker is spot on in speaking to cultural despair and continuing to advocate for conversion among the New Cultural Christians. I just believe it is helpful to distinguish the old and new, knowing what both of them really need is faith in Christ, not just feeling good they do Christian things.