I have talked previously about "Christian culture" and probably alluded to it being a different entity than "Christianity."[foot]See "Leaders, Followers, and Outliers in Christian Culture" and "Critics and the Advancement of Art"[/foot] I'd like to elaborate more on what I mean. Let us define "Christianity" quite broadly as following and submitting to Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God.[foot]Sure, there may be "better" definitions. I imagine there are worse definitions as well.[/foot] This definition holds certain common and identifying characteristics inherent among Christians. Such commonalities could be considered a culture, but I will leave them simply as Christianity, as Christianity is not separate from these factors and these factors are not separate from Christianity.[foot]Direct results from being in communion with Christ: the fruits of the Spirit, spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit, etc.[/foot] "Christian culture," on the other hand, is the social atmosphere, norms, and mores that arise within the social context of Christianity, but outside the purity[foot]I'm not convinced that "purity" is the best word here, but I can't think of one that is more suitable. Hopefully you understand the idea that I'm trying to get across: there is a refreshing simplicity to Christianity as Christianity, stripped of everything that we have added to it and left only with us, Christ, and His redemptive work.[/foot] of Christianity. Things such as preferred or accepted musical genres,[foot]Listen to contemporary Christian radio. Many of the songs sound the same because they adhere to an accepted "song standard" within Christian culture.[/foot] dating practices, and religious cliches.[foot]Stuff Christians Like is a wealth of information about Christian culture. Yes, I know it is satire, but it would not be humorous if it didn't play off of truths. "It's funny because it's true."[/foot] I admit that Christian culture usually arises out of good intentions, but typically ends as a set of rules, moral standards, and acceptable products[foot]My pastor recently referred to these "acceptable products" as a "Christian ghetto," where there's a "Christian" version of everything. Just slap a Christian label on it and let your niche marketing go to town.[/foot] applied on top of Christianity.[foot]The similarity to the Pharisees Jesus encounters in the gospels is striking.[/foot] Christian culture, then, becomes an obstacle to Christianity: those outside of Christianity see this culture and think that it is Christianity; those within Christian culture confuse themselves regarding obedience to God and obedience to this cultural standards. The lines get blurred, and no one benefits. Thoughts?