It has been suggested by some scholars that Christian had been a Cistercian monk, possibly one of the brethren at Holm Cultram in Cumberland.
Christian spent his first few years as Bishop of Whithorn under the reign of Fergus, King of Galloway.
However, when Fergus passed power on to his two sons, Uchtred and Gilla Brigte, it was the former with whom Christian spent his time, that is until Uchtred's death at the hands of Gilla Brigte's son in 1174.
Indeed, Christian was the only "Scottish" bishop to attend the English episcopal Council at London in 1176–1177.
For most of his time as bishop, Christian predominantly resided in Cumberland, perhaps indicating the hostility of Gilla Brigte.