Studies in Christian Worldview:

Re-examining the Wrath of God in the Context of Cancel Culture

Over the past several years, the cyclical pattern by which cancel culture expresses itself in an American context has been revealed. This proclivity to cancel an individual, group, or company is well-represented across the political spectrum, and revolves around various issues that either side takes particular interest in.

In virtually all instances, the same elements are on display: Momentum quickly gathers and extends out from the ideological base, while opponents are quick to identify the malicious intent of the actions.

Thus, the problem of such cyclical cancel culture is primarily three-fold:

The first primary issue tied to cancel culture is enveloped in the brashness and rapidity of the cancelation. Many in American society are far too quick in their judgments of other Americans. As well, the method of cancelation is often carried out in mob-like fashion — designed to attract others to join, and join in a moment’s notice.

The second primary issue tied to cancel culture is the ignorance behind the efforts. Those who aim to cancel know either next-to-nothing (or at best only what is convenient to their narrative) about the person or group soon to be drastically upended by the efforts of those who wish to cancel. The only information known about the target of cancelation is the information necessary to justify their actions in the eyes of those who share such an ideology. No heed is paid to the rest of a person’s life or the lives of the people connected to an organization.

The third and final issue tied to cancel culture is the pendulum effect of the cancelation. As an individual or group representing one side of the aisle is canceled, it inevitably provokes and justifies the other side to act in kind — and with greater intensity. This game of cancellation chicken gets more intense with each effort.

Now, while cancelation is surely harming our culture, there is a way for those who possess a Christian worldview to utilize its presence as a valuable lesson:

It is time to re-examine the wrath of God.

God’s wrath in Scripture stands in opposition to cancel culture in three main ways — (1) the speed by which wrath is unfurled (2) the mechanism of God’s wrath (3) the intimacy of the giver of wrath; in the Bible’s case — God.

First the speed of God’s wrath.

God’s wrath unfurls slowly — incredibly slowly, in fact — throughout the Bible. It is never sudden and it is always communicated far in advance of the event of justice in which God’s wrath is satisfied. Consider the first place in Scripture where God describes Himself:

And the Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth; who keeps faithfulness for thousands, who forgives wrongdoing, violation of His Law, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, inflicting the punishment of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” (Exodus 34:5–7 NASB)

God spoke these words to Moses immediately following Israel’s blasphemous collective sin of the golden calf. Moses goes on to intercede to God on behalf of Israel, and God honors Moses’ intercession. This is a continual theme in the Old Testament. Israel’s collective sin — their proclivity to practice idolatry — and God being slow to anger.

Another interesting note is the fact that often in the biblical narrative, God’s wrath is actually carried out via the giving over of people to their desires. Consider, for instance Paul’s analysis in the first chapter of his letter to the Romans:

For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them … For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. (vv. 18–19, 21–23 NASB)

Notice God’s wrath is still (unchangeably) kindled by idolatry. But take note of the manner in which God brings forth His holy wrath:

Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. (vv. 24–25 NASB)

This is a particularly sobering reality to consider when one recalls how Jesus’ describes the manner by which people defile themselves in the eyes of God:

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.” (Matthew 15:18–20 NASB)

When we consider these verses together, what we quickly recognize is that God’s wrath is actually exercised via the handing people over to what they have chosen to desire most.

Again, this is ironic because cancel culture does not show such tolerance. Cancel culture seeks to eliminate the behavior by eliminating the person.

God’s wrath is often expressed simply by leaving people to the devices of their own self-destruction, which has come to pass due to their own self-deception.

Finally, we must consider the depth of knowledge God has for those who fall under His wrath. An infinite, omniscient God of the Universe is fundamentally aware of all facets of the ones who experience His wrath. God knows them intimately, and in many cases showcases His wrath not in smiting fashion, but in handing them over to their own desires.

Contrast these realities with the manner in which Americans exercise cancel culture, and one quickly understands the grave problem we face as a culture:

The inherent problem with cancel culture is that a notable portion of the American population across the political spectrum believe they have the moral authority to significantly reduce the quality of someone’s life based on a fractional understanding of that stranger’s life. They often exercise this power without adequate knowledge of the person in their cross hairs. And yet, most of the same individuals would likely cringe at a faithful teaching of the wrath of God.

Perhaps the reader can detect the tragic irony in an individual vigorously dismissing the notion that an all-knowing God of the universe would justly judge His own creation, while simultaneously dismissing a total stranger because they disagree with a singular visible element of that stranger’s life. If people believe they have the moral right to cancel a total stranger, why is an intimate, relational God despicable In His execution of justice via His holy wrath?

So, what does this mean for the possessor of a Christian Worldview? For the sake of brevity, I will offer three opportunities of application, though countless more could be applied:

1- Resist efforts to “cancel.” We do not possess adequate patience leading up to, full knowledge to justify, or the innate ability to effectively administer wrath. This is not our purview. Humans do not make ideal instruments of God’s wrath. Vengeance is mine, declares the Lord. I will repay. (Deuteronomy 32 / Romans 12)

2- Humble oneself before God. Do not abuse God’s nature of being slow to anger. We must remember that each of us offends God’s holiness on a perpetual basis. If we are being truly honest with ourselves we know that what cancel culture really reveals is that no one is immune to it. We are all capable of participating in or being the object of cancellation. This is the problem with the ever-increasing, cyclical nature of cancel culture.

3- Rigorously oppose self-deception! Remember, this is the key difference between being the object of the discipline of God versus the wrath of God. The Christian who has activated his or her Christian worldview is fundamentally aware of the fact that God disciplines the one’s He loves for the sake of repentance and sanctification. We must remain ever-softened to the way in which God is correcting us, growing us, and maturing us. The alternative is to become hardened, self-deceived, and ultimately incapable of repentance. Remember the warning Jesus gives during the Olivet Discourse:

And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. (Matthew 24:12–13 NASB)

May Christians resist the temptation to take part in cancel culture, remain humble, and be ever-sensitive to the sanctifying work of God in our lives!