When a celebrity does something bad, should we throw out the “good” stuff they’ve done?
That’s the core question behind the “cancel culture” controversy, but it comes with plenty of others. How much should it matter how badly they behaved? How “good” their contributions to entertainment have been? Should we be more willing to forgive misdeeds that happened decades ago than those committed last week?
And we Christians, grappling with Christian celebs and entertainers, deal with another question, too: What does the process of forgiveness and restoration look like?
We wrestle with all of these questions, and plenty of others, on this week’s spirited Plugged In Show. Kristin Smith, Jonathan McKee, host Adam Holz and I discuss the “cancel culture” phenomenon and, in the process, mull what it means to show both justice and grace in these challenging times—and pass on some thoughts on how parents can teach their children to do the same.
So take a listen, won’t you? You can download the episode by clicking here. And if you’re interested in the resources we offered or mentioned, or if you’d like to delve in deeper, check out the links below.
- 7 Traits of Effective Parenting by Daniel Huerta
- Launch into the Teen Years Kit
- Plugged In Blog: Culture Clips: Leaving Neverland Leaves Viewers Disgusted, Conflicted
- Plugged In Blog: The Complicated, Inspirational Legacy of Kobe Bryant
- Plugged In Blog: There’s a Better Way Than Using Sex to Empower Women, Hollywood
2 Responses
– You are treating only the affects, not the root of the problems not only with society, ie: the values of the world ( sin-based), but the lack of depth of understanding and commitment of most Christians in today’s world. Most Christians are fed a light diet from their pastors of milk and ice cream. Nothing like the more serious messages that were originally taught, written in the Bible, and preached decades ago. We have a watered-down spiritual diet today.
Get back to reading SLOWLY the words of Jesus Himself in the Gospels. How many have really counted the cost of following Him? If we really did, we would see easily how filthy the world is compared to the Holiness of God which we, as Christians are supposed to be following.
-I agree wholeheartedly. We need to stop listening to false teachers like Joel Osteen, who promote nothing but prosperity and positivity. What this entire world needs is thousands of Jonathan Edwards all preaching the same sermon – Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.
Yes, the Gospel is good news, but the messages from the pulpit should challenge us, make us feel uncomfortable, even make us cower before God. Jesus Himself even said, and I’m paraphrasing, “I’ll show you Who you should fear.”