Cinderella Faith
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (ESV)
One of the most beloved Disney movies is Cinderella, the story of a young girl treated terribly by her stepmother and stepsisters, who experiences a bit of magic from her fairy godmother and attends a royal ball dressed as a beautiful princess and meets the man of her dreams.
As a children’s story and family movie, Cinderella offers a heartwarming lesson to never give up on our dreams, no matter what the odds, and to have childlike faith in the power of the possible. Dreams really can come true! Both our girls loved the story when they were young.
Yet there’s another lesson in Cinderella, one with far more profound meaning, especially for today’s Christians.
Cinderella also teaches us that attempting to force something to fit where it doesn’t belong—whether it’s a glass slipper or an idea—can lead to disappointment and discomfort.
In modern times we’ve seen a trend where progressive Christian thought has tried to integrate popular, non-Christian cultural ideas into traditional Christian teachings.
This movement often resembles the efforts of Cinderella’s stepsisters, who desperately tried squeezing into the glass slipper that simply wasn’t meant for them.
Misfit Ideas and Their Consequences
The allure of modern ideologies can be strong, tempting Christians to reshape their beliefs to line up with today’s moral and philosophical trends. This is usually done in the name of tolerance, or inclusion, or love, or perhaps even “science.”
And it’s happened many times in history.
Over the centuries, Christianity has seen various cultural influences attempt to water down or change its beliefs.
For example, during the Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries, rationalism began dominating Christian teaching. To make Christianity “intellectually” acceptable to the mainstream, miracles and divine interventions in the Bible were reinterpreted as nothing more than allegories or metaphors.
Similarly, today’s progressive Christian movements attempt to bring secular ideas like relativism—the concept that truth is not absolute but can vary based on individuals and cultures—into Christian teaching. This is popularly known as “living in your truth.”
I imagine it being like Cinderella’s stepsisters trying to fit oversized feet into shoes designed for someone else.
By trying to make Christianity more acceptable or inclusive, these progressives risk losing the essence of its teachings.
As Jesus taught, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This declaration of oneness stands in stark contrast to the relativistic tendencies of modern culture.
Scriptural Integrity vs. Cultural Influence
The Bible warns against conforming to the world rather than being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). When the church begins mirroring the world instead of influencing it, it loses its transformative power.
The Apostle Paul cautioned the Colossian church against giving into cultural pressure, warning them to “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
An example of this can be seen in today’s approach to issues like human sexuality, marriage, and the sanctity of life. The cultural narrative promoting a spectrum of gender identities and the acceptability of abortion challenges both traditional Christian views and God’s written law.
God calls us to love and embrace individuals from all walks of life, and as believers we should. Yet, embracing ideas contradicting the Bible’s teachings under the guise of compassion or modernity compromises the church’s very foundation.
In the words of Isaiah, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). The enduring nature of God’s Word reminds us that it does not change according to cultural whims.
The Risk of Watered-Down Faith
The history of Christianity is filled with numerous instances where, trying make the faith more accessible or acceptable, its scripturally inspired doctrines have been softened.
Today’s church faces a similar challenge. In the pursuit of relevance, there is a risk of diluting the Gospel to a feel-good philosophy devoid of real, transformative power. Contrary to popular ideas, the message of the cross is not merely about personal fulfillment or social justice. Instead, it’s about redemption, sacrifice, and the hope of eternal life.
Holding Fast to True Faith
How should we respond? We must return to the “glass slipper” of true Christian faith, ensuring that it is the fit that guides our understanding and practice, not the changing sizes and shapes of cultural opinion.
This requires diligent study, prayer, and communion with other believers who are committed to preserving the integrity of the Gospel. We must engage with culture thoughtfully and critically, bringing the truth of Christianity to bear on the issues of the day without compromising its core truths.
The Apostle Peter encourages us with these words: “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
This balance of conviction and compassion is essential as we navigate the challenges of being faithful witnesses in a changing world.
As we consider our faith, let’s be wary of attempts to reshape Christianity to fit the mold of the age. Instead, let us that be sure the Gospel remains the “true north” of our faith, unaltered and unspoiled by the shifting sands of cultural trends.
In doing so, we preserve not just a historical faith, but a living, breathing, and active faith that continues to transform lives and societies.
May God continuously lead your path