Over the past few days, I’ve published a three-part series exploring how the label “toxic empathy” is being used in some Christian circles to reframe biblical compassion as a danger—especially toward outsiders—and what that means for our faith.
Here’s a glimpse from each part:
Part 1: The Formation Exposed – How “Toxic Empathy” Reframes Compassion as Danger (Feb 2, 2026) “The phrase ‘toxic empathy’ itself tells the story. Empathy, the very capacity that allows us to ‘weep with those who weep’ (Rom 12:15) and to feel the weight of another’s suffering, is no longer treated as a gift of the Spirit. It is recast as a Trojan horse. We are warned that if we feel too deeply for the wrong person, manipulators will exploit us to betray truth, abandon Scripture, and ultimately destroy the church and the nation. If you show a soft heart toward the outsider, it shows that you’ve already compromised yourself.”
Part 2: The Costs of Labeling Empathy as Toxic (Feb 4, 2026) “The deepest cost is this: when the heart is trained to fear its own Christlike impulses, the believer is pulled away from Jesus Himself. Not through overt heresy, but through a subtle replacement—where political loyalty, fear of the ‘other,’ and suspicion of mercy become the new guides. The formation may still use Christian language, quote Scripture selectively, and affirm core doctrines, but it produces a faith that no longer bears the unmistakable likeness of the One who said, ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful’ (Luke 6:36).”
Part 3: Returning to the Heart of Christ (Feb 6, 2026) “The antidote to this drift is not a swing to a different political ideology, nor is it a retreat into isolation or cultural withdrawal. It is a deliberate, Spirit-led return to the formation Jesus Himself modeled and commanded. A discipleship rooted in His heart rather than in fear, loyalty, or reframed virtues. This begins with recovering the biblical vision of compassion. Empathy is not toxic; it is the way of Jesus. He was moved with compassion for the crowds because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matt 9:36).”
If these excerpts resonate—or challenge—you, I invite you to read the full series starting with Part 1 here: https://renderandresist.com/2026/02/02/part-1-the-formation-exposed-how-toxic-empathy-reframes-compassion-as-danger/
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