Why do Christian and Non-Christian cultures differ?
It is not uncommon for cultures to embrace beliefs and customs central to their way of life. Whether it is personal and internal beliefs, or social and external customs, they both serve as a basis for any culture. With this in mind, why do Christian cultures differ so much from non-Christian cultures?
Common areas of man’s thinking
Entire fields of study are devoted to this topic. But, when you break it down into basic terms there are two main areas of man’s thinking. The first area is based on our internal thoughts and beliefs we have that make up our inner person. The second area is based on our external social interactions and behaviors we have with others that affect our outer person. Most people have the same basic internal thoughts and experiences. However, as we interact with others in our world, we affect the world and the world affects us. Â
What are common areas of man’s growth and development?
In medicine, pediatricians commonly measure children’s growth and development of several areas. From birth to age six they commonly use a tool called the Denver Developmental Screening Test (1). In a prior career teaching pediatrics to nursing students, I used this test to teach students how to assess these areas in their young patients. The test charts a timeline starting at birth of gross motor skills; language skills; fine motor-adaptive skills, and personal social skills. It is a very popular tool that can assess individuals at different stages of life.
As you conduct the test on children you can identify the expected growth and development tasks (left column) based on their age (bottom row). This enables you to see where they are behind and where they are ahead compared to others their age. As you look at each category you can see how children are internally self-centered in their early days. As they get older their responses to outside external influences impact their development and physical maturity, which can be measured by tasks they can perform. At the same time their social interactions became more and more external.
What are cultural effects of man’s growth and development?
Overall, the Denver Developmental Screening Test was something man came up with to assess childhood growth and development. It is based on what was common for children of these age periods raised in somewhat similar settings. However, we can also see how many children may never experience the same things other children experience. An example might be city-raised children not experiencing things that country-raised children experience and vice versa. This is not to malign either. The same could be also be said about anyone raised in a remote jungle setting culture compared to anyone raised in cultures of advanced technologies. The point is, how do we take all these things into account when considering cultural effects since there is no standard of right and wrong in all cases?
Comparison of Christian and non-Christian cultures
Many people in history have been raised to live in cultures that were based on Biblical Christian values. These values helped mold individuals into becoming participants that affect the culture to be more Christian. Likewise, other areas of the world not influenced as much by Biblical Christianity had different values and cultural effects. In all cases what is critical is that we recognize that each belief system has internal and external impacts. These impacts affect each person physically, emotionally, and even spiritually, which in turn impacts the cultures we live in.
The nature and effects of secular humanism cultures
Despite many people being raised in cultures with Biblical Christian values, Secular Humanism changed the culture to be more non-Christian or atheist. Educational intuitions and social expectations were also affected, so that the beliefs and cultural values changed. Webster’s Dictionary defines secular humanism as follows (2):
secular humanism. noun: humanism…viewed especially as relying on reason, logic, and naturalism…as opposed to religious dogma and supernaturalism…
We see that secular humanism excludes religious or “Spiritual” theistic thoughts. It centers on the internal beliefs of individuals and a culture based on natural physical and emotional “progressive thinking.” It does not acknowledge any Spiritual aspect; therefore, the center of focus is the individual first and foremost. In order to account for non-human effects that would be a common Spiritual effect, a non-biological force of the universe like “Karma” is given credit by secular humanists for these effects.
Ironically, the idea of Karma has all the hallmarks of an intelligent being that can assess man’s behaviors and thoughts. Then, Karma, can materially evaluate the causes and generate effects that impact man for good or bad. Despite Karma’s origin being foundational to Hinduism, it is adopted with the claim it is not a declared belief system. For more on Karma, see:
I once had a dicsussion with someone about Karma and as they described how Karma worked I replied, “That sounds like some sort of God-like intelligent being that can do that.” Their reply was, “I never thought of it that way.” This is why the idea of logic being non-Spiritual is not true. In fact, the Bible uses the Greek Word Logos, the root of the word “logic” as the origin of the English term, Word, as follows:
John 1:1. “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word (Logos) was God.”
John 1:14. “And the Word (Logos) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
For more on the Word of God and Logic, see:
Secular Humanism cultural thinking of Charles Dewey
A popular way of thought when it came to the secular humanism-based nature and culture of man was one of Charles Dewey (3). Dewey was commonly known as being one that created the Dewey Decimal System used by libraries to categorize books. Dewey was a friend of the father of evolution, Charles Darwin. Dewey’s philosophy of man’s ultimate nature and purpose had three main points:
- It provides a theoretical structure for a universe with the “lid off” where everything is “ever becoming” and undetermined. Instead of a system of status and fixed relationships, there is progressive “change, novelty, and precariousness.”
- It brings man and his cultural achievements within the natural process of development. Man is continuous with nature, not separate from it.
- It permits a way of explaining the development of certain characteristics peculiar to man, i.e., mind, intelligence, selfhood, language, development of tool, without resorting to mind-body dualisms or matter spirit dualisms.
When we look at these three points, we see the following with Biblical references that address the same:
- Dewey’s first point is literally a description of evolution. When comparing his premise of change, novelty, and precariousness with Scripture, it is in total contradiction. See Genesis 1;1; Proverbs 24:21; Malachi 3:6; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; Psalms 93:1; and Isaiah 40:8
- Dewey’s second point literally relegates man to nothing more than a product of nature and man’s achievements a natural part of development. See Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 37:23-24; Psalms 94:11; Psalms 118:8-9; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 21:2; and 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Dewey’s third point literally denies the Spiritual aspect of man and any effects the Spirit has on man’s intelligence or wisdom. See Genesis 2:7; Job 32:8-9; Ecclesiastes 3:19-21; Zechariah 12:1; John 3:5-6; Romans 8:6-9; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 2:6; and Philippians 2:5
It is important to understand when one subscribes to Dewey’s philosophy, they submit to the idea that man is a product of nature. That man is the “top of the food chain” and exists because his genetic code “evolved’ to be strong enough for him to win in the battle for the survival of the fittest. However, it also confines man to thinking that he has the answers to all of life’s problems.
Finally, it embraces the idea that man can do all things out of his own strength and wisdom to figuratively create his own Garden of Eden. In doing so, man can then declare himself to be godlike in superiority by his actions and self-exultation that he has the superiority of a god.
Secular Humanism logical conclusions and cultural applications
The problem with secular humanism is that the standards of truth and error are forever changing and rely on everyone on earth being up to date with the latest changes of what is truth. With this unstable, ever-changing foundation of thinking, there are several “illogical”, or sick logic, conclusions secular humanism would support in practical application:
- Those that commit crimes would not be held accountable because they have not evolved enough to know any better; are just acting naturally; or have been disenfranchised or mistreated in life so they are just struggling to survive
- Kids told they have evolved from monkeys could not be criticized for acting like animals
- Intimate contact with whatever or whomever a person desires would be acceptable because it is just a natural biological urge
- Any sort of contract is not enforceable because promises are conditional, and truth is relative
- Normal is what anyone says it is
The Biblical perspective of a good culture
There are many examples of things that have happened to cultures when Biblical standards are abandoned. This corrupts the mind and thinking of man as follows:
Romans 1:28-31. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Verses 28-31 describe traits of those not having the truth of God in their knowledge that where raised in a Godless culture. Therefore, they do not acknowledge the righteous judgment of God in verse 32. They do not acknowledge that committing such things makes anyone worthy of death. And, they exhibit the same Godless behaviors and take joy in seeing others do it too.
A modern example of this can be seen in the ever-increasing public acceptance of infidelity and rejection of monogamous marriage. This has contributed to large numbers of people starting their own hardcore X-rated websites or social media accounts to become rich and famous. At the same time, foul language that was once thought to be only used by the vilest of society has become common place in nearly all settings and ages of people. It has gotten to the point where many famous people have eagerly participated in these things and involved children in their commonly shared exploits with no expectation of being held accountable.
The Biblical Christian response to secular humanism
Helping people change for the good
We can talk all day about how to help people change. However, God calls us to do something so that they hear the truth:
2 Timothy 3:14-17. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works…”
2 Timothy 4:​1. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
As we see, we are called to learn, raise our children to know the Bible, and to know that God has all the answers to everything in life.
- He has the truth in doctrine.
- He has the knowledge of right and wrong.
- He has the standard for correction, and
- He has the right way to teach others of His righteousness and perfection.
Finally, it clearly demonstrates why Christian and non-Christian cultures are different.
Godly instruction is a key cultural success factor
When we approach living and life issues in the way God says to do it, it creates a high rate of success. This is seen in Christ-centered Biblical counseling. Non-Christian counseling only considers physical and emotional aspects of life, experience, and behaviors. They see “spiritual” things only as related to religious practices of those being counseled. This is why in our experience, those that provide state “regulated” counseling are forbidden to mention religious practices as part of their counsel and instruction. Doing so is considered “unethical” in that it, in their words, “transfers your values to your patient.”
If one wants to include God’s Biblical teaching in counseling, they cannot be licensed by the state, which means any expenses cannot be reimbursed by insurance. This is not to say one must compromise on helping those needing counsel to be able to bill insurance. It means, as we learned first-hand, total reliance on God for provision of a Christ-centered counseling ministry is crucial in practice and performance results. The best part is that the high success rate does not go unnoticed in the community, and God gets the glory in changed lives! This is also why we always concluded anyone’s counseling session with teaching them how to help others dealing with what they overcame through God.
God’s standard of right or wrong living never changes
Christian and non-Christian cultures may have their own sets of beliefs. There is one big difference between the two. Unlike humanists, Christians have a standard of living that is superior to man that never changes. That standard of perfection is God, who never changes and gives us the power to do ALL things to survive:
Malachi 3:6. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Romans 8:28-31. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Philippians 4:11-13. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
These verses show us the way things work to stabilize our faith as children of God. They also remind us to do good, no matter what life, and the devil of this world, throws our way.
Final thoughts
Why are Christian and non-Christian cultures different? Because our faith as believers influences others. It creates a Godly culture that demonstrates the shortcomings of secular humanism. This is because as people search for answers in life that secular humanism cannot provide, they learn that God has answers that work and changes them to be more like God. May God bless us and may we be faithful in being part of His cultural change:
2 Corinthians 3:12-18. “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
(1) Denver Devlopmental Screening Test
(2) Secular Humanism, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secular%20humanism
(3) Williams, Michael. (2008) 2024. Silenced in the Schoolhouse. Pages 111-119. United States of America: Christianity Every Day. https://www.christianityeveryday.com.
Dr. Michael L. Williams, Head of Ministry Operations and Technology at Christianity Every Day, is a Christ-centered Author, Educator, Biblical Counselor and Advisor. He is ordained in Pastoral Ministry and formerly the founding Pastor of Selah Mountain Ministries, a church started along with his wife, Pamela Rose, after several years of pastoral experience and training in Biblical Counseling. Selah Mountain provided Biblical counseling and education to the public on how to overcome life issues Biblically on topics such as anger management, marriage, addictions, and other subjects – often referred to as mental illnesses. To learn more about Dr. Mike visit the About page.
