Faith Reframed Cultural Christianity vs. Christ-Centered Faith: Where the Divide BeginsToday we’re diving into a conversation that needs to happen:Cultural Christianity versus Intentional, Christ-centered living.And what happens when that difference begins to shape how we, as Christians, respond to real-world issues like feminism, church hurt, and patriarchy.What is Cultural Christianity?So let’s start with definitions. Cultural Christianity is less about Jesus and more about identity.It’s Christianity as a label — a default setting — rather than a lived-out, surrendered faith.You see it when someone says they’re Christian because:They grew up in a “Christian home.”They go to church on Easter and Christmas.Or… they equate Christianity with being a “good person” or “moral citizen.”But here’s the thing — Jesus never invited people to identify with Him in name only. He called them to follow Him. Daily. Sacrificially. Personally.In contrast, Intentional Christianity is about that personal, ongoing commitment to Jesus — loving Him with your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It’s not performative. It’s not inherited. It’s not political.It’s relational. It’s transformational.How Cultural Christianity Distorts Social EngagementSo why does this matter?Because Cultural Christianity distorts how we engage with the world — and often leaves deep wounds in its wake.Let’s talk about feminism, for example.Feminism and the ChurchCultural Christianity often adopts traditionalism in the name of "biblical values" without really engaging Scripture holistically.That’s where you get ideas like:“Women should stay silent.”“Leadership is for men only.”Or worse — a tolerance for abuse under the guise of submission.That’s not gospel. That’s patriarchy dressed in Christian language.Intentional Christianity — rooted in the life of Jesus — looks radically different. Jesus:Defended women in public.Gave them dignity, voice, and value in a culture that silenced them.Made women the first witnesses to the resurrection.Feminism, at its core, is about equality, dignity, and agency — things Jesus modeled long before the word “feminism” existed.Church Hurt and the Real Impact of Inauthentic FaithAnother area impacted by this divide is church hurt.And let’s be honest — many people have walked away from the Church not because of Jesus……but because of Christians who never truly followed Him.Cultural Christianity can build toxic systems — ones that prioritize image, power, and control over repentance, healing, and community.That’s where you see:Abuse swept under the rug.Performative spirituality.Gatekeeping instead of grace.Intentional Christianity, on the other hand, calls us to accountability. It confesses sin. It listens when someone says, “I was hurt.” It doesn’t shame victims; it seeks justice.The Patriarchy ProblemLet’s zoom in on patriarchy for a moment.Cultural Christianity often defaults to patriarchal systems, not because Scripture demands it, but because culture — historically and socially — has normalized it.And when you’re more invested in preserving a system than reflecting Christ, you end up defending oppression as “God’s design.”But here’s what Intentional Christianity does:It asks, “What did Jesus model?”It values servant leadership, not dominance.It honors mutual submission, not hierarchy-for-control.It doesn’t just ask, “Is this biblical?”It also asks, “Is this Christlike?”And that distinction matters.The Call to Authentic DiscipleshipSo what do we do with all this?The call is simple but costly:Trade in Cultural Christianity for the real thing.Jesus never said, “Identify with Me.”He said, “Follow Me.”