Cultural Christianity doesn’t live up to the glory of the gospel. It may admire Jesus’s teachings and appreciate the benefits of his influence on society, but it doesn’t call for repentance or personal faith.
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In recent years, some of the most unlikely voices have publicly acknowledged Christianity’s positive influence. Richard Dawkins, Elon Musk, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Tom Holland—figures once aligned with skepticism toward Christianity—have made striking statements affirming its cultural and moral value. Dawkins, one of the foremost critics of religion, has described himself as a “cultural Christian,” admiring the Christian ethos and traditions like hymns and carols. Similarly, Musk recently called the teachings of Jesus “good and wise.”
While these acknowledgments are surprising and even encouraging, they raise an important question: Is cultural Christianity enough? As believers, how should we respond to those who admire Christianity’s legacy but stop short of embracing the gospel?
