Question 65 – Doesn't culture determine whether or not one is a Christian?

Many skeptics believe that Christianity at the national level is determined by culture and at the individual level directly by the family we are born into. Based on this belief, they often refuse to engage in discussions about Christianity and point out that if we were born in India, we would likely be Hindus, or in Saudi Arabia, Muslims, etc. Thus, if we are born into a Christian family, we are likely to become Christians; if in a Muslim family, Muslims, and so forth. This reasoning leads to the assumption that because we (Christians) were born in "Christian" Europe or America, we are—quite logically—Christians.

Objections

It is undeniable that culture has a strong influence in shaping our opinions and partially determines our identity. This explanation is nonetheless inadequate and cannot reliably answer the question of religion. It is an irrefutable experience that people change their beliefs across various religious affiliations. When it comes to Christianity, this often happens despite severe persecution, where accepting the Christian faith means a death sentence or very serious problems.

A) Family Level

Many Christian parents could testify to raising their children in faith in God, and yet their children did not follow their example. Conversely, among Christians, there are countless individuals who were not raised in faith, or who barely heard of Him during childhood. Yet, God called them to Himself and revealed Himself to them.

B) Cultural Level (Nations)

God makes Himself known to people worldwide through many missionaries. In numerous places, the church grows by millions. An example is China. About a century ago, there were only a handful of Christians there, who were then killed or forced to flee. The same scenario repeated approximately 50 years later, with many Christians being brutally eliminated or exiled. However, God had mercy on this nation, and despite severe persecution—where many Christians are still tortured—the Christian church has rapidly expanded. Today, it numbers in the tens of millions of believers. A well-known member of the Chinese underground church, Brother YUN, who experienced much torture yet also witnessed miracles, reflects on this Christian "revival" in his book "The Heavenly Man" as follows:

"By the winter of 1975 we started to baptize people for the first time. The only safe way was to cut a hole through the ice on the river and baptize the new believers in the freezing water during the night while the police were sleeping. On many occasions we baptized hundreds of people in the rivers and streams of southern Henan. Sometimes the Lord did a miracle so that nobody felt the freezing water. Some even commented that the water had felt warm! In the late 1970s multitudes of people were coming to the Lord daily. … The year of 1980 was a phenomenal year for the church in Henan. We remember it as the year when God constantly did outstanding miracles and divine healing, and the words of Jesus came supernaturally to many people. That wonderful year saw tremendous growth in the church." [4]

God respects cultures. Many times, anti-Christian cultures are merely the fruit of falling away from God, and therefore, He allows people to live under their influence. Nevertheless, He is merciful and offers them the opportunity to come to Him.

Summation

One cannot claim that cultural and familial aspects have no impact on the acceptance of a particular faith. However, if Christianity is merely a matter of culture or upbringing, how, then, do we explain the tens of millions of converts in China, in atheistic regimes, gulags, and many other places—not to mention individuals on a personal level who had never heard of God, and yet were convinced of His existence and love through their inner experience?