Rethinking Religion: Rethinking a Devoted Commitment

Religious sociologists sometimes divide Christians into two groups: committed Christians and cultural

Christians. The former are usually defined as those who are active in a congregation, who pray regularly,

who read Scripture, etc. The latter are those individuals who call themselves Christian and perhaps have

some Christian beliefs. Yet, they do not strive to live a Christian life. They are not interested in church

involvement.

Those definitions are interesting when trying to understand shifts in American Christianity. However,

they demonstrate a false assumption about the Christian religion. There is indeed a devoted

commitment at the center of Christianity, but it is not man’s commitment to God. Even believers will at

times demonstrate lukewarm commitment at best. Instead, at the heart of Christianity we find God’s

devotion and commitment to us. It is a devoted commitment so strong that it put God on the cross.