I read a meme saying these words today, and I couldn’t agree more. Its about the phrase: ”Biblical Christianity is unpopular, popular Christianity is unbiblical”. So is popular Christianity unbiblical?
The phrase “Biblical Christianity is unpopular, popular Christianity is unbiblical” is a provocative statement used to highlight the tension between these two forms of Christianity:
Biblical Christianity: A form of Christianity that strictly follows to the teachings, doctrines, and moral standards of the Bible, even when those teachings are culturally uncomfortable or are against mainstream values.
Popular Christianity: A version of Christianity that is more culturally palatable, often emphasizing love, and personal empowerment, sometimes at the expense of biblical commands.
The idea behind the statement: biblical Christianity is unpopular, popular Christianity is unbiblical
Culture vs. scriptural authority
Popular Christianity is sometimes seen as adapting to the culture to remain relevant or appealing. This may include ignoring teachings on sin, judgment, or exclusivity of salvation through Christ. Biblical Christianity tends to resist cultural trends when they conflict with scripture, which can make it more unpopular or even offensive in secular societies.
Truth vs. popularity
This statement suggests that what is true (biblically sound) is often not popular, and what is popular may not be true to Scripture. Jesus himself warned that following him would not be easy or universally accepted (John 15:18-19, Matthew 7:13-14).
Examples of Biblical and unbiblical views
Unpopular Biblical views in secular societies: Biblical views on sexual ethics, exclusivity of salvation through Christ, judgment and hell, call to repentance. Popular Unbiblical Views: Universalism, moral relativism, prosperity gospel, emphasis on self-love over self-denial.
This does not allways mean that unpopular Christianity is allways Biblical or that unbiblical Christianity is necessarily popular.
People may hate you for righteousness’s sake because they don’t want their sins laid bare: they may also revile and hate you for other reasons.
Scripture supports the idea for the unpopular nature of Biblical faith
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
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.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Conclusion: is popular Christianity unbiblical?
This phrase challenges Christians to examine whether their faith aligns more with Scripture or with culture. It suggests that true discipleship may come with rejection. Faithfulness to God’s Word must take priority over approval of other people.
At the end it is not about what feels good, but it must be about what is true. As Christians, the Bible must be our main source for teaching. It is not about culture or what feels good, because this is very often unbiblical.
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