Every few months, someone online claims that another Christian leader has “gone woke.” The phrase is now overused and vaguely defined, often thrown into social media debates. Recently, John Piper and Kirk Cameron have appeared in these discussions.
Yes, that John Piper. And that Kirk Cameron.
Who are They?
Piper is a Reformed Baptist theologian, retired pastor, and founder of Desiring God. Cameron, best known as the cheeky Mike Seaver from the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains, is now a vocal Christian activist and evangelist. Both are recognised as conservative voices in evangelical Christianity.
Why do people think they’ve “gone woke”? The answer reveals more about the strange moment the church currently faces than about Piper or Cameron. More on that soon.
Their Sins
On 26 February, John Piper posted a Bible verse on his X account: “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:34. Christians know the miserable bondage we were all in.
As for Kirk Cameron, he debated long-held beliefs in a chat with his son, James, discussing if the Bible teaches ‘eternal conscious torment’ or ‘annihilation’ of the soul—a controversy dubbed ‘Hellgate.’
Both men were accused of going woke.
Expanding Definition
Originally, “woke” meant staying alert to racial injustice in African American communities. Over time, it came to encourage supporting society’s marginalised.
Today, in some circles, “woke” has become shorthand for anything perceived as progressive, inclusive, or socially justice-oriented.
Within Christianity, “woke” has its own meaning. Pastors discussing racial reconciliation or poverty are seen as woke. Urging care for refugees, the environment, or injustice? Woke!
Sadly, a word that captures much of Jesus’ and Scripture’s teaching has been turned into an insult.
I’m Guilty Too
I feel for John Piper because all he did was post a bible verse, but the response from some Christians was harsh, equating him to a woke pietistic leftist. I made the same “mistake” on Facebook on 17 November, 2024. I posted a few Bible verses about our responsibility to care for foreigners, widows, and orphans and was accused of twisting scripture.
I responded, “Maybe I need to be more careful about which Bible verses I post. In future, should I stick to ones that don’t rattle cages, biases, and preconceived ideas?” I wonder if John Piper felt the same. I wrote this blog in response to the heated discussion.
Guilty Again
I also relate to Kirk Cameron, who admits he was caught off guard after his recent theological roundtable on the nature of hell sparked a wave of criticism—not from atheists, but from fellow believers. He says, “I really caught hell for this one, and I didn’t expect to get torched the way I did by guys on my own team.” He argued that if the church refuses to engage with these difficult topics, young people will turn to ‘Siri, Google, Grok, and ChatGPT’ for answers. ‘We would be foolish to think our children don’t have questions,’ he noted, calling on parents and leaders to provide a safe space for biblical inquiry.
I agree. Christians must get better at questioning beliefs, so long as core beliefs remain sacred. Eternal hell isn’t a core doctrine; Christians have debated the afterlife for centuries. Discussing these views isn’t heresy; it’s history.
What Else?
Along with fostering spaces for questions and healthy discussion, we Christians could benefit from offering more encouragement, especially on social media. I sometimes feel discouraged when I see fellow Jesus people using harsh language with one another. The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes qualities like kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Let’s strive for these even during disagreements.
We also need to recognise that sincere Christians hold different views on many topics and have done so since Jesus established the faith in the first century. For example, the early church fathers held varying perspectives on the afterlife, including eternal conscious torment (Tertullian, Augustine, Cyprian), conditional immortality (Ignatius, Irenaeus), and universalism (Origen, Gregory).
Christians have different views on creation, Revelation, the Lord’s supper, baptism, the cross (atonement theories), and many other doctrines. It’s helpful to read broadly, discuss with those who differ, and stay open to changing your mind. Reflecting Christ’s character is more important than winning arguments.
Strange Moment
And now, back to the strange moment the church currently faces, where respected figures like John Piper and Kirk Cameron are accused of being woke simply for quoting scripture or examining a Bible doctrine—and they’re not alone.
An American pastor faced criticism for preaching on the Beatitudes. Some of his parishioners labelled him as “weak” and “too liberal.” Yet, those statements are directly from Jesus and fundamental to our faith. Being meek, merciful, and loving enemies isn’t woke—it’s Christlike.
The Real Challenge
The challenge for Christians is to maintain conviction while showing compassion, to speak truth with humility, and to engage with culture without being shaped by it.
Whether you’re a theologian like John Piper, a public figure like Kirk Cameron, or just a believer trying to follow Christ in daily life, that tension is unavoidable.
And perhaps that’s exactly where the gospel does its best work. Because when Christians refuse to be defined by the loudest labels of the moment, they create space for something much more powerful: a faith grounded not in trends, but in truth.
