Christ With Coffee On Ice

Host: Ally Yost
Episode Title: Is Cancel Culture Allowed in the Church?
Release Date: February 28, 2025

Introduction

In this thought-provoking episode of Christ With Coffee On Ice, host Ally Yost delves into the contentious topic of cancel culture within the Christian church. Starting with her characteristic warmth and vulnerability, Ally sets the stage for a deep and meaningful conversation about how Christians respond to offenses and challenges within their community.

Understanding the Issue: Cancel Culture in the Church

Ally begins by addressing a specific incident circulating on Christian TikTok, where an individual is facing widespread calls for cancellation. She emphasizes the righteous anger that such a situation can evoke within the Christian community but raises concerns about the methods employed in response.

Ally Yost [06:30]: "If we're followers of Christ and that's what we identify ourselves in, we need to walk like Jesus and cancel culture is not the nature of Jesus."

Ally highlights how the current response aligns or misaligns with Christian teachings, questioning whether the church should adopt a stance that mirrors worldly behaviors like cancel culture.

Biblical Foundations: Forgiveness and Compassion

Delving into scripture, Ally references key Biblical passages that advocate for forgiveness and compassion over condemnation. She draws parallels between Jesus' treatment of sinners and the expected behavior of modern Christians.

Ally Yost [15:45]: "Matthew 6:14 through 15... 'If you forgive others their sins, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.'"

She uses the story of the woman caught in adultery to illustrate Jesus' approach to sinners, emphasizing that condemnation belongs not to God but to individuals who judge others without recognizing their own imperfections.

Ally Yost [21:20]: "Jesus was like, 'Yes, she sinned, but unless all of you are clean and sinless, then you can go ahead and cast the first stone.'"

The Nature of Jesus vs. Cancel Culture

Ally contrasts the forgiving nature of Jesus with the punitive tendencies of cancel culture. She argues that embracing cancel culture contradicts the essence of Christian teachings, which call for humility, love, and understanding.

Ally Yost [27:10]: "Jesus didn't cancel anyone. He extended love and didn't condemn them. That's the heart of our God."

She asserts that the church must reflect Jesus' character by avoiding judgmental behaviors and instead fostering a community rooted in grace and redemption.

Personal Struggles and Encouragement

Acknowledging the difficulty of embodying such forgiveness, Ally opens up about personal challenges in extending grace. She validates the listeners' struggles and encourages them to lean on God for strength.

Ally Yost [33:50]: "If you're lacking the strength to have forgiveness for people, you need to ask God for that."

Ally reassures her audience that seeking God's help is a continuous journey and that it's okay to take time to heal and forgive.

Practical Steps: Moving Beyond Cancel Culture

Transitioning from theory to practice, Ally offers actionable advice on how Christians can move away from cancel culture. She emphasizes prayer, empathy, and proactive forgiveness as essential components.

Ally Yost [38:25]: "Instead of spewing hate back onto this person, instead of canceling them, we need to be genuinely praying for this person."

She encourages listeners to understand the underlying reasons behind someone's harsh behavior towards Christ, promoting a compassionate rather than condemnatory approach.

Communion and Repentance

Towards the end of the episode, Ally leads the congregation in a symbolic communion, tying the discussion back to repentance and renewal. This act serves as a collective acknowledgment of their imperfections and a commitment to embodying Christ-like forgiveness.

Ally Yost [43:15]: "We come together in agreement that the ways that we may have been thinking... we just repent for believing all of those lies. They are literally so ugly."

The communion symbolizes their readiness to turn away from judgmental attitudes and embrace a life of forgiveness and grace.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Ally wraps up the episode with an uplifting message, urging listeners to continue striving to walk like Jesus despite the challenges. She reminds them of the strength they possess through Christ and the importance of maintaining a spirit of love and forgiveness.

Ally Yost [44:50]: "Yes, you can. Because you can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength."

She concludes by encouraging the community to support one another in this journey, reinforcing the episode's central theme of rejecting cancel culture in favor of unconditional love and understanding.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ally Yost [06:30]: "If we're followers of Christ and that's what we identify ourselves in, we need to walk like Jesus and cancel culture is not the nature of Jesus."

• Ally Yost [15:45]: "Matthew 6:14 through 15... 'If you forgive others their sins, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.'"

• Ally Yost [21:20]: "Jesus was like, 'Yes, she sinned, but unless all of you are clean and sinless, then you can go ahead and cast the first stone.'"

• Ally Yost [27:10]: "Jesus didn't cancel anyone. He extended love and didn't condemn them. That's the heart of our God."

• Ally Yost [33:50]: "If you're lacking the strength to have forgiveness for people, you need to ask God for that."

• Ally Yost [38:25]: "Instead of spewing hate back onto this person, instead of canceling them, we need to be genuinely praying for this person."

• Ally Yost [43:15]: "We come together in agreement that the ways that we may have been thinking... we just repent for believing all of those lies. They are literally so ugly."

• Ally Yost [44:50]: "Yes, you can. Because you can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Christ With Coffee On Ice serves as a crucial reminder for Christians to reflect on their responses to offenses within the church. Ally Yost masterfully blends personal anecdotes, scriptural teachings, and practical advice to challenge the implementation of cancel culture in favor of a more compassionate and forgiving community. Her heartfelt approach encourages believers to emulate Christ's love and forgiveness, fostering a church environment rooted in grace rather than judgment.