Cancel culture vs. kingdom culture: Where should christians stand?

 

In recent years, "cancel culture" has become a dominant force in both the social and political arenas. It’s a cultural phenomenon in which individuals or groups are publicly shamed, ostracized, or “canceled” for views, actions, or statements that others deem offensive, intolerant, or problematic. This wave of judgment and ostracization often occurs on social media, where opinions spread quickly, and public figures or private citizens alike can face consequences for their beliefs and behaviors.

On the other hand, the Bible presents a different approach to how Christians are to live in a world that is often marked by division, judgment, and conflict. This is the concept of Kingdom Culture, a biblical worldview that emphasizes love, grace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and the call to reflect Christ in all things. In a world where cancel culture thrives, where does a Christian stand, and how do we live according to the values of God’s Kingdom while navigating this growing societal trend?

In this article, we will examine both cancel culture and Kingdom culture, their fundamental differences, and what it means for Christians to respond to both. Through a biblical lens, we will explore the call for believers to engage with the world in a way that reflects Christ’s love and truth, even when faced with the pressure of the modern cancel culture.

Understanding Cancel Culture

Cancel culture, also known as "call-out culture," is a form of social and public ostracization. It typically involves the collective effort to withdraw support from individuals, organizations, or celebrities who have said or done something deemed unacceptable. This usually occurs through social media platforms, where collective outrage can lead to boycotts, public shaming, and the attempt to ruin reputations. While the goal of cancel culture is often to hold individuals accountable for their actions, it frequently leads to a loss of due process and can be disproportionately harsh.

In its ideal form, cancel culture purports to advocate for social justice and accountability. However, in practice, it has created a culture of fear, where people are hesitant to speak their minds, share differing opinions, or even make mistakes. The harshness of public shaming and the speed at which judgment is passed has led to a society where individuals are often defined by their worst moment, with little opportunity for redemption, forgiveness, or grace.

At the heart of cancel culture lies the idea of judgment. The concept is that some people’s words or actions are so offensive, that they deserve to be excluded from society or their platform. It’s a system that elevates public opinion as the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong and encourages a black-and-white, all-or-nothing perspective. This polarizing mindset often leads to division, discord, and a lack of understanding between people.

The Biblical Perspective: Kingdom Culture

In stark contrast to the punitive nature of cancel culture, the Bible calls Christians to embody a radically different approach—Kingdom Culture. The Kingdom of God, as described in Scripture, is characterized by values that often run counter to the world’s norms. While the world emphasizes judgment and exclusion, Kingdom culture calls for grace, mercy, reconciliation, and love.

1. The Call to Love and Forgive

Jesus’ teachings, particularly in the Gospels, emphasize love and forgiveness. In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus challenges His followers: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This radical command to love and forgive, even those who harm or oppose us, is foundational to Kingdom culture. It stands in sharp contrast to cancel culture’s tendency to discard people based on their perceived faults or offenses.

The Apostle Paul echoes this idea in Colossians 3:13, where he writes, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." In Kingdom culture, grace and forgiveness are not optional; they are commands. When we choose to forgive others, we imitate the forgiveness we have received from God through Christ.

2. The Importance of Restoration

Rather than seeking to cast people aside, Kingdom culture emphasizes the possibility of restoration. In Galatians 6:1, Paul advises believers to "restore gently" those who are caught in sin. In the context of cancel culture, when someone makes a mistake or says something offensive, there is no room for reconciliation or growth. People are often canceled without the opportunity for personal transformation.

Kingdom culture, however, is built on the hope of redemption. Jesus spent time with sinners, offering them the opportunity for repentance and restoration (Luke 15:1-7). He did not abandon people because of their mistakes or sins; He offered them grace and invited them into a new life. Similarly, Christians are called to offer this same hope and grace to others, even when their actions or words are hurtful. Instead of seeking their removal, the goal is always restoration and reconciliation, a theme that runs deeply throughout the Gospel.

3. The Role of Humility

In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus warns against judgmentalism, saying, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." The danger of cancel culture is that it sets up individuals or groups as the ultimate judges, condemning others based on their perceptions of what is right or wrong. It assumes that the person being "canceled" is beyond redemption or change, thus denying them the opportunity for growth.

Kingdom culture calls for humility, acknowledging that we are all flawed and in need of God’s grace. As Romans 3:23 reminds us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Christians are urged to humble themselves before God and others, recognizing that we all are capable of mistakes, and none of us are without fault.

Kingdom Culture in Practice: A Christian Response to Cancel Culture

While cancel culture continues to grow in influence, Christians are called to offer an alternative—a culture rooted in grace, forgiveness, and the potential for redemption. So, where should Christians stand in the face of cancel culture?

1. Seek Understanding and Compassion, Not Exclusion

Christians should resist the urge to cancel others in favor of understanding, compassion, and engagement. The world may push for swift condemnation, but Kingdom culture invites believers to listen, understand, and respond with empathy. Christians are called to engage with those who disagree with them, to listen to their perspectives, and to offer the love of Christ in the midst of disagreement.

2. Offer Grace and Forgiveness

Rather than falling into the trap of canceling those who have made mistakes, Christians should embody the grace and forgiveness that Christ extends to them. Every person has the opportunity to change and grow. When someone makes a mistake, instead of joining the chorus of condemnation, believers should offer forgiveness and work toward helping the individual grow in Christlikeness.

3. Stand for Truth, But with Love

In a world where truth can be politicized and opinions are polarized, Christians must stand for God’s truth. However, this stand for truth should always be tempered with love and humility. Ephesians 4:15 teaches, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Speaking truth without love is harsh and counterproductive, but speaking truth with love is transformative and reflects the heart of God.

4. Promote Redemption, Not Punishment

Instead of advocating for cancellation, Christians should advocate for redemption. People are not beyond repair, and God specializes in transformation. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and He calls Christians to do the same. Every person has value, and every person has the potential to change.

Conclusion: Living as Ambassadors of Kingdom Culture

As the world increasingly embraces cancel culture, Christians are called to embody the values of the Kingdom of God. This means rejecting judgmentalism, extending grace and forgiveness, and promoting reconciliation rather than division. Kingdom culture stands in stark contrast to cancel culture, offering hope, restoration, and love in place of condemnation.

In a world that seeks to cancel others at the first sign of disagreement, Christians are called to model a different way—a way of grace, humility, and forgiveness. By doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ and show the world that, in His Kingdom, there is always room for redemption, grace, and the possibility of change.