Cancelling cancel culture
By Jenna Loumagne
With nearly two-thirds of people saying they stay quiet about their beliefs due to the fear of offending others, a shift needs to occur according to Biola University professors Dr. Sean McDowell and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff who co-wrote a new book on how to move past cancel culture toward meaningful conversation.
“In our polarized and divided culture, it’s easy to avoid meaningful conversations with others,” said McDowell, author and top Christian Apologist. “End the Stalemate is meant to encourage and equip you to lean into difficult conversations for the sake of relationships and the gospel.”
Guiding readers through meaningful conversations
Releasing on June 18, 2024, the experts’ new book — End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations — will guide readers through reviving the art of meaningful conversations, inspiring movement away from today’s divisive argument culture.
McDowell and Muehlhoff believe Christians are called to be God’s ambassadors, which necessarily entails the need to listen to others — especially people with diverse and different perspectives. In End the Stalemate, the authors walk readers through how to engage with others who share different perspectives.
Treating enemies with empathy and goodwill
“Even our most ardent enemies should be the object of our empathy and goodwill even as we disagree — which in today’s argument culture will stand out as a rare but vibrant counter-example,” said Muehlhoff, author and communication expert. “Taking the time to not only listen, but present a person’s view carefully confirms that they exist and their view, regardless of disagreement, is worth our attention.”
On May 22, Biola University in partnership with Tyndale and Biola’s Winsome Conviction Project will host an exclusive live, virtual event — The End the Stalemate Challenge — where Muehlhoff and McDowell will coach attendees on how to have a conversation with someone who fundamentally disagrees with you and model those tips in a live conversation with atheist and journalist Adam Davidson. Complimentary for those who preorder the book, the event will equip participants with tools to navigate challenging conversations and conclude with a self-guided challenge.
“We are in a cultural moment where it is easy and common to shut down or cancel others who see the world differently. As Christians who are called to love, we must be willing to have difficult conversations with kindness and courage,” said McDowell.
The event will be held from 12-2 p.m. PST on May 22, 2024 virtually. To attend the event, attendees can preorder the book and enter their order number on this website to claim a free ticket.
End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations is available for purchase at major retailers.
Register for The End the Stalemate Challenge live event.
