Was Dolly Parton a Christian? The recent death of Dolly Parton has Americans mourning this cultural icon. She was a much-loved and accomplished entertainer who brought joy to millions through her music, theme park, and philanthropic activities. Almost immediately after her death, social media was inundated with tributes and reviews of her life, with many making the specific note that she was a Christian who was open about her faith in an industry that often shuns Christians.
However, there were some on social media who also noted that Dolly had some aberrant theology. She believed in reincarnation, refused to condemn homosexuality as a sin, and didn’t clearly speak of Jesus as unique Son of God and Savior. Was Dolly Parton a Christian? Some say yes, some say no, and at best she may have been a confused Christian without a strong personal theology.
It’s not my purpose here to settle the question of whether Dolly was a true Christian. In situations like this, the Apostle Paul warns us in I Corinthians 4:5, “Do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts.” Rather, in this confusion, I’d like to point out that we may have a teachable moment about ourselves. The death of Dolly Parton is an opportunity for a little spiritual inventory. What constitutes a genuine testimony that a person truly knows Christ and intentionally lives for him as the chief affection of his or her life? I like to ask the question this way:
Are you a Christian by culture or by conviction? Let me explain.
A cultural Christian is a person who lives and expresses themselves as part of a Christian, or Christianized culture relative to their experience. It doesn’t mean that he or she is a true Christian, but that they are part of the church in some fashion, where they may attempt to live a Christian morality or be involved in Christian things. Many people go to church and take part in its culture without having made a genuine commitment to Christ. We have examples of such people in Scripture as models for such behavior.
Demas traveled with the Apostle Paul and even took part in his ministry, but in the end Paul said that “Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me” (II Timothy 4:10). Of course, the best example of this is to be found in Judas Iscariot, who followed Christ as one of his disciples, even being sent out to evangelize in Luke 10:1. He was among those whom Jesus said, “Stood by me in my trials” (Luke 22:28). Yet, none of us today would argue that Judas was a true Christian. Scripture elsewhere speaks of people like Judas and Demas when it says in Hebrews 6:4-6 that they “tasted of the heavenly gift” and were “partakers of the Holy Spirit,” yet were lost.
Are you a cultural Christian?
What about the person who is a Christian by conviction? This is a person who falls under the description of John 16:8. Jesus said the Holy Spirit comes to “convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment.” Do you have a conviction of sin? Are you convicted that Jesus Christ is the only, unique Son of God and Savior? Are you convicted that Jesus has judged the enemy and that he will judge you one day? Here’s the thing. You cannot be a Christian without these convictions. Notice what Jesus said. He said that these convictions were the work of the Holy Spirit. “He, when He comes, will convict…” If you have no conviction of your sin, you cannot be a Christian. If you have no conviction about Jesus’ unique identity and role, you cannot be a Christian. If you are not convicted that you will be judged by him (and so bringing yourself under his judgment now), then you cannot be a Christian. To deny these convictions is to deny the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. You can maintain the facade of cultural Christianity, but without these convictions you cannot experience the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
So, are you a Christian by culture or by conviction? Every one of us must go through that spiritual inventory to be sure about our faith. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves” (II Corinthians 13:5). Do you play with Christianity and church? Are you depending upon your experience with the church and doing Christian things? Being involved in Christian things is no guarantee of salvation. Dolly sang some Christian songs. But singing Christian music doesn’t merit salvation. Remember country artist BJ Thomas? He released Christian albums for a while until he said during a TV interview that he had “grown out of” Christianity. Remember Jennifer Knapp? She was a much-loved Christian artist popular on the radio and in concerts, but led a secret lesbian lifestyle, eventually abandoning Christ for that lifestyle.
I’m not trying to be hard on Dolly or say that she was or wasn’t a Christian. My point is that involvement with the church doesn’t make us a true part of the body of Christ. Only faith in Christ, with deep conviction of our sin and God’s grace, can do that. It’s not enough to say, “Jesus loves me.” You have to truly love Jesus in return.
Do a spiritual inventory today. Test your faith. Do you come out as a cultural Christian or a convicted Christian?
