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As a Christian, I was devastated by the news of Ravi Zacharias and @RZIMhq. As a pastor, I'm committed to helping us learn from this tragedy so that history does not repeat itself. I've still much to learn, but here are my initial takeaways:
#1: The cancel culture exists in part because institutions fail to hold leaders accountable internally.
Takeaway#2: If you want to cancel the cancel culture, it won’t come by excusing sin but by elevating confession & repentance inside the organization.
Takeaway#3: When we idolize leaders, we eventually suppress the truth, and oppress victims.
Takeaway#4: While the celebrity culture is a problem, its really an idolatry culture regarding leaders, whether they are celebrities or not.
Takeaway#5: When people have the appearance of godliness while denying its power, we are called to cancel their teaching platform (2 Timthothy 3:1-7)
Takeaway#6: When a Christian leader has a moral failure, an organization’s most common failure is by focusing on the sin of the person at the expense of the sin of the organization.
Takeaway#7: We can’t quote Ravi going forward without implicitly minimizing both the sin and those sinned against.
Takeaway#8: If someone has a heart of repentance, the evidence will be visible, first and foremost by those who were sinned against (Matthew 3:8; 5:23-24). You will know a tree by its fruit.
Takeaway#9: If people use the example of us still being able to include King David’s words, remember David’s repentance was published as well as all his sins. Logical consistency would require the same for Ravi’s words.
Takeaway#10: If women do not have direct access to leadership and an empowered voice within the organization, you are at great risk of a sexist culture.
Takeaway#11: When people doubt an independent report, it might suggest their identity is overly dependent on the leader in question.
