Check Before Cancelling

 Acts 17:11 (ESV) – Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

We have seen a new phenomenon explode in 2020. The pandemic-induced isolation has forced people online and brought Twitter, Facebook, and other media into a place of greater influence. Election campaigns are increasing the vilification that is dividing the world and protests at a level unseen for decades. As the emotion increases, dividing lines sharpen, and the question of “in or out?” determines whether you will have the support and respect of those who were once your friends. A new label has emerged for this reality: “Cancel Culture.” It seems there is a new “orthodoxy” for each side of any issue. If you do not embrace every aspect of that orthodoxy, you will be cancelled – excommunicated – by the rest in the group.

The intimidation is strong. The fear of rejection can drive many accept, without question, every tenet of the new orthodoxy of whatever group they consider themselves a part of or aspire to join.

Although Cancel Culture may be a new buzz phrase for 2020, the concept itself is much older. As the biblical book called Acts of the Apostles describes the Apostle Paul’s second journey, he faced opposition from the established Jewish community in city after city until he arrived in Berea (now known as Veria and still a center of regional influence in northern Greece). The writer, Luke, uses an interesting description for those Jews. “They were more noble than those in Thessalonica.” There was something that set them apart from the rest of their generation. They did not embrace the Cancel Culture of their day. They took what they heard and they checked it out against the most authoritative source possible – the Holy Scriptures. They found what Paul said was true, and they received it gladly.

Let’s be more like these Bereans and check things out before accepting or rejecting something for fear of being canceled. When we do, let’s make sure we compare it against something trustworthy. When we can, let’s take it to the most trustworthy source of all: the Bible.