Kingdom Culture > Cancel Culture

What is your response when someone offends you? For many in our culture, the response is to ‘cancel’ them. We see cancel culture regularly: a public figure does or says something offensive, and the offended aim to pull the plug on their career. But the cancel culture movement reached beyond celebrities, perpetuating the mindset of writing off people we disagree with. Cancel culture feeds division, shuts down productive dialogue, and hinders empathy and the Gospel of restoration. But Jesus models a better way—a Kingdom way. Let’s take a look at how cancel culture differs from Kingdom culture. 

1. Jesus Stands up for Those Who Have Been Knocked Down

In John chapter 8, we find the story of a woman caught in adultery, ready to face her cancellation. The Pharisees brought the woman out in front of a crowd to be stoned to death, but Jesus responded differently:

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.
John 8:7-8

We don’t know exactly what Jesus wrote on the ground, but after that moment, the crowd left. When someone gets knocked down–even by their own choices–do we respond like a judgmental Pharisee or like Jesus? Do we respond with malice or mercy?

2. Jesus Values Those Who Have Been Canceled by Culture

The adulterous woman is a great example of someone canceled by culture. Culture wanted to discard her, write her off, and punish her. But Jesus saw her as more than a mistake. He didn’t validate her choices, but He didn’t allow those choices to diminish her value as a person.

We might find it hard to value someone who offends us. It might feel unfair when someone gets a second chance they don’t deserve. But it’s a lot easier to accept God’s mercy when we are the ones begging not to be defined by a mistake. 

3. If Jesus Never Canceled People, Neither Should We

In John 8:10-11, Jesus leaves the woman with final words: 

Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

The way Jesus responds in this passage shows us that Jesus doesn’t cancel or condemn—He covers. Canceling someone rarely leads to a change in their behavior or perspective, but compassion often does. Romans 2:4 tells us, “It’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.” 

Of course, God doesn’t want us to stay in abusive or toxic situations nor does He expect us to reconcile with someone dangerous. But in general, we want to aim to live counter-culture like Jesus—standing up for those who have been knocked down, valuing those canceled by culture, and reflecting the mercy and kindness of God to a hurting world.

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