Cancel Culture

It’s no secret that God built us for relationship and community.

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we’re really not meant to be alone. We’re best designed for relational connection on a deep, meaningful level. And yet, it seems harder to achieve now more than ever.

We’re increasingly busy, digitally overstimulated, and constantly communicating, but not really connected. No wonder we’re often left feeling so alone!

In addition, over the last several years we’ve seen the “cancel culture” movement create more barriers for relational connection. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for much needed accountability and justice. But accountability without grace and redemption is just judgment.

What was meant to right injustices, has now become a polarizing cultural movement to completely eradicate anyone who doesn’t talk how we talk, think what we think, or subscribe to our agenda.

Societally, this has a huge impact, but I think it’s important as a church to consider what implications this has for us interpersonally. Is it giving us permission to disregard Jesus’ command to forgive “seventy times seven” times (Matthew 18:22)? Is it allowing us to get comfortable with our own unforgiveness, using “accountability” as an excuse to not offer gospel-centered grace?

When it comes to deep, meaningful friendships, we often stand in our own way.

Our own resentment and inability to forgive can burn bridges that could have been repaired. Our own pride can stop us from offering people the same kind of grace that is offered to us, by Christ, every single day.

I think of the parable of the prodigal son, the young man who left his family and spent his inheritance before his father had even passed. He returns home and his father is overjoyed, showing him mercy when he could have been punished. But the prodigal son’s older brother doesn’t feel the same way his father does.

But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

- Luke 15:28-32

The older brother was angry, and, maybe according to the world’s standards, rightfully so. But his anger was really masking pride and fear that he wouldn’t get what he wanted. His father reminds him, “what’s mine is yours.” Rather than looking at others with unforgiveness or a “cancel culture” mentality, God invites us to see that someone who is lost being found is something to rejoice in.

Rather than blocking those who offend us, we should partner with Him in the Kingdom work of bringing our brothers home.

The older brother didn’t want to forgive his younger brother’s rebellion. He wanted the pride of being the “right one.” And yet, he missed an opportunity for great joy and meaningful connection. Let’s stop missing out on moments of joy with Christ, because we’re too concerned about being “right.”

Let’s stop letting unforgiveness kill our community. Instead, let’s invite reconciliation, foster forgiveness, and welcome brothers home. Christ did it first for us, so let’s Go First for others.

Cristina  Schmitter