The Danger of Christian Culture

I’ve noted in this Vanuatu series that it was a country that only 170 years ago was physically hostile to the gospel. While the Ni-Vanuatu people may have once been characterised by ‘savage’ behaviour, now they really are beautiful people.

In my opinion, Vanuatu is now in a potentially dangerous situation. The country is very Christian. The vast majority of people claim to be Christian. The government makes decisions based around a Biblical world view that seeks to promote godliness among its people. These are really cool things. But the danger now is complacency and Christianity merely becoming a cultural thing.

It’s the danger of Christian culture. This has happened throughout history in Christian countries. I think it happens even in smaller communities like Christian schools.

The danger is that being brought up in a Christian cultural context equates to being Christian. No longer do people necessarily see a personal belief in the Risen Saviour and an ongoing growth in godliness as part of what it means to be Christian.

Here’s the slippery slope:

• Generation 1: preaches the gospel
• Generation 2: assumes the gospel
• Generation 3: neglects the gospel
• Generation 4: denies the gospel

To avoid the danger of Christian culture, the preaching of the gospel must become our daily words to one another in EVERY generation. I’ve been praying for Vanuatu this past year that the gospel will continue to be preached to both Christians and non-Christians.

Not familiar with ‘the gospel’? It’s all about the King who SAVES and RULES: check it out!