A Backslidden Church? Cultural Influence on the Modern Christian Church

Every generation seems tempted to nominate its own childhood as the golden age of Christianity. Yet the Church has always lived within culture, sometimes challenging it and sometimes absorbing it. Let us examine that relationship before declaring that all the trouble began with somebody else’s music.

The early Church had real conflicts too

From its earliest days, the Christian church grappled with cultural influence, a reality that is vividly portrayed within the New Testament scriptures. The Corinthian church serves as a poignant illustration of this dynamic interaction between faith and culture. In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul had to confront numerous challenges arising from the congregation's immersion in the Greco-Roman culture.

Similar to today, Paul addressed the moral laxity that had crept into the Corinthian church, influenced by the permissive attitudes of the surrounding culture. In 1 Corinthians 5:1, he condemns a specific instance of sexual immorality within the congregation, stating, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife."

Additionally, Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their misuse and misunderstanding of spiritual gifts, which reflected the prevalent pagan practices of the time. He sought to correct their misguided notions and restore order to the exercise of spiritual gifts within the church. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul provides a detailed exposition of the diversity of spiritual gifts and their proper use within the body of Christ.

History makes easy nostalgia harder

Cultural influence didn’t stop with the early church. Throughout history, the church's interaction with culture continued to be a nuanced journey marked by both resistance and assimilation. In Rome, for example, the early Christian communities navigated the cultural landscape of a polytheistic society, often facing persecution for their beliefs. Sound familiar? Despite their staunch resistance to pagan practices, traces of pagan culture inevitably seeped into the fabric of Christianity.

One notable example is the celebration of Christmas, which coincides with the winter solstice festivals celebrated by pagans in ancient Rome. The incorporation of pagan customs, such as the decoration of evergreen trees and the exchange of gifts, into the Christian observance of Christmas underscores the enduring influence of pagan traditions on Christian rituals.

Similarly, in England, where Christianity spread in the wake of Roman conquests, the fusion of Christian beliefs with indigenous pagan customs was inevitable. The adaptation of pagan festivals, such as the spring equinox celebration of Eostre, into the Christian celebration of Easter exemplifies this cultural synthesis. The symbolism of eggs and rabbits, traditionally associated with fertility rites in pagan cultures, found their way into Easter traditions, albeit with Christian interpretations attached to them.

Cultural connections deserve careful historical study. Similar customs do not by themselves establish a direct line of borrowing. We should ask what the sources show before turning a familiar story about a holiday into a confident verdict.

During the settlement of America, particularly during the colonial period, Puritan preachers, known for their strict adherence to biblical principles, criticized the church for retaining rituals and ceremonies that they deemed inconsistent with biblical teachings, including the observance of religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter, which the Puritans recognized as pagan in origin and lacking scriptural warrant. In response, Puritan preachers urged a return to the simplicity and purity of New Testament Christianity, advocating for a rejection of cultural accretions and a strict adherence to biblical principles. Yet, Christmas and Easter remain foundational elements of contemporary Christianity.

Similarly, during the Enlightenment era, church leaders found themselves embroiled in intellectual and ideological conflicts as rationalism and secularism gained momentum. The Enlightenment championed reason, science, and individualism, posing a challenge to traditional religious beliefs and authority. Again, Church leaders, afraid of the threat posed by these emerging ideologies, sought to defend the faith against encroachments from the secular sphere.

Notable among these defenders were Jonathan Edwards in America and John Wesley in England. Jonathan Edwards, an influential American preacher and theologian, expressed deep concern about the erosion of religious piety and orthodoxy amidst the rise of Enlightenment ideals. His famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," has become the most famous sermon of all time, outside of Jesus’s sermon on the Mount, which was delivered in 1741.  He highlighted again the fear of cultural influence, advocating for personal repentance and religious revival in the face of spiritual complacency and moral decline.

Similarly, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was a prominent voice advocating for spiritual renewal and doctrinal orthodoxy in response to the challenges of the Enlightenment. Through his prolific preaching and writings, Wesley emphasized the need for individual holiness and a vibrant faith grounded in scriptural truth. His publication of sermons, tracts, and theological treatises served as a rallying cry for believers to resist the allure of secular philosophies and to reaffirm their commitment to traditional Christian doctrine.

Our preferences need examination too

Clothing, music, and other familiar practices can become badges of belonging. Ask whether a conviction rests on a careful reading of Scripture or on what feels normal to our generation. That question applies to those defending an old custom and those celebrating a new one.

In fact, Jesus' teachings and actions often serve as a condemnation of this very fundamentalism, echoing his rebukes of the Pharisees for their rigid adherence to legalistic interpretations of the law. In Matthew 23:23-24, Jesus chastises the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." Here, Jesus condemns their emphasis on minor details of religious practice while neglecting the weightier matters of justice and mercy. Similarly, in Mark 7:8-9, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, stating, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." These verses highlight Jesus' critique of rigid adherence to one's culturally influenced bias over the compassionate and merciful spirit of the law.

This tendency to read cultural preferences into scripture also overlooks the warnings found in Galatians 5:1, Paul admonishes believers not to become entangled again in a yoke of slavery, emphasizing the freedom found in Christ rather than adherence to legalistic rules. Similarly, in Colossians 2:16-17, Paul cautions against judgmental attitudes towards others based on external practices, reminding Christians that these things are merely shadows of the reality found in Christ. Such verses underscore the importance of discerning the timeless truths of the Gospel from cultural biases that may distort its message.

Christianity is larger than our local habits

Moreover, it's crucial to acknowledge that Americans often view American Christianity through a narrow lens, unaware or dismissive of the diverse practices of sincere Christians in other countries. These global variations in Christian traditions underscore the profound influence of culture on religious practice. For example, in Egypt, Coptic Christians observe ancient liturgical traditions that date back to the early centuries of Christianity, incorporating Coptic language and rituals into their worship services. In Africa, vibrant Pentecostal and charismatic movements thrive, characterized by exuberant expressions of faith, dance, spiritual healing, and communal worship. In England, Anglican churches uphold traditional liturgical practices with a rich heritage of choral music and formal worship services. In Australia, indigenous Christian communities blend elements of Aboriginal spirituality with Christian beliefs, encouraging a unique cultural synthesis within their religious expression. These examples illustrate the diverse manifestations of Christianity worldwide, challenging the notion of a monolithic American Christianity and emphasizing the profound impact of cultural context on religious observance.

Let the Gospel examine our culture

We cannot step outside every cultural influence, but we can examine the ones we carry. Listen to Christians from another generation or place. Ask where our habits encourage justice, mercy, faithfulness, and love, and where they get in the way. Blaming the culture is easier than allowing the Gospel to challenge our own.

Faith, hope, and love in action through Christ and kindness. Raise a Hand. Build a Bridge. Find a local ministry and put what you believe into practice.