A Biblical Response to Cancel Culture

Introduction

Last week we looked at the idea of what is woke. We had a healthy discussion. A part of the woke culture as it has populated and immersed itself in more of society, comes in the mold of what is called cancel culture.

Here is a video of just a short glimpse of someone all in on cancel culture.

Show video.

My 5-year-old and I were having a discussion about tar on the way to school one morning (I know, a deeply compelling topic of conversation). He’d seen tar on the cracks of the asphalt down the country road outside of our home, and asked what it was and how it was used. The conversation seemed to be going great as I recounted some of the popular usages for tar throughout the ages. That is, until I mentioned the practice of “tarring and feathering.”

In retrospect, sharing the details and history of such a barbaric practice with your 5-year-old is probably not the wisest choice. He listened in horror as I described how mobs would often issue the sentence of being covered in hot tar and feathers as a form of publicly shaming someone who had committed a socially unacceptable offense. He thought about it for a moment and asked, “Dad, they don’t do that to people anymore…do they?” “No buddy, they don’t do that anymore,” I assured him.

You could go online and see some nonsensical situations people and companies have been cancelled. As we look at cancel culture I want to do so by walking through some questions that will put a biblical shape into how you and I should live amid a culture such as cancel culture.

#1) What are topics/themes, positive or negative, that flow out of cancel culture?

People are irredeemable. This thinking goes contrary to the very truth of salvation. We know that the Bible says there are consequences for sinful behavior. The practical living as man is irredeemable is false teaching and the way it has played out in this cancel culture is more often than not—irrational.

Forgiveness

Lack of mercy

desire for kindness

desire for unity

personal experience trumps actual truth

truth is relative

anger and hatred

vengeance

morality/right and wrong is understood by even the unsaved

no room for progressive sanctification/spiritual growth

persecution

opposition

lack of willing to listen (James 1:19 “19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” )

give grace

#2) How have we seen cancel culture impact general society?

#3) How has/is cancel culture manifesting in the church?

#4) Is church discipline a manifestation of cancel culture?

#5) What is the difference between not condoning sin and cancel culture?

Concluding Thoughts

We as Christians do need to be careful we do not respond by living in fear of man and being cancelled. We also should not respond by joining the band wagon. We need to look into scripture and evaluate the situation biblically. Our interactions with others and with companies must be flowing from both a heart and tongue that are guided by biblical truth.

We cannot live on the laurels that cancel culture has not impacted us and developed little or maybe big tentacles in our lives. We must follow the precepts and commands of God in his Word (Psalm 119). We must let the Spirit of God direct and control our lives. If that means genuine persecution or even opposition—so be it. We also should not want to wear the burdened clothes of a persecuted and/or opposed. We are then sinning in our own pride!