Should Christians Be Tolerant?
Jul 30Wed,2008 / Category: Answering The Challenge /
Lately I’ve been watching the political news coverage of the Presidential race. What I have found to be very interesting is the pressure that is placed upon each candidate to demonstrate the virtue of tolerance. It seems as if tolerance has become the supreme virtue of our culture. Don’t get me wrong I see myself as a pretty tolerant person, but I guess my concern is with the unspoken change in the way we define tolerance. Webster’s Dictionary defines tolerance as the act of enduring opposing opinions. My personal research shows me that tolerance historically has meant the act of disagreeing civilly with those of opposing viewpoints. This seems to be something that Christians have promoted and role-modeled very well for the most part. However, the popular cultures definition of tolerance seems to be accepting and submitting to viewpoints that you personally disagree with or see as being dangerous. So I guess my question is where is the room for being able to disagree civilly and respectfully. Can I hold on to my convictions and feel that yours are wrong. Is it intolerant for me to say that Christianity is a better belief system than Islam? Am I being intolerant if I say that homosexuality is wrong? Am I being intolerant for teaching my congregation to avoid certain Pastor’s preaching because their message is heretical? If I am than I guess I question whether or not we as Christians should be trying to live up to the popular culture’s definition of tolerance. Now I know that these opinions of mine my get me in trouble with some but I am tremendously concerned with the watered down message that I feel far too many Christians are embracing in order to not seem as if they are being intolerant. I feel that we are called to speak the truth in love and I believe love doesn’t mean that truth has to be sacrificed. So what do you think should Christians be tolerant?
Thanks,
Pastor Chris
3 Comments :D. Horne In my comment 7/31 (type error) should have been you can mention “any” instead of ant ..my error Pastor David Washington Jr Amen Pastor Brooks. This message has to be taught to Christians. Looking at this whole tolerance piece, I think about the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:1-2. where he clearly commands us as the Body of Christ to withstand from conforming to the world which would include philosophies, cultural ideology, paganism etc. Clearly we (Christians) have bought into the lie that in standing up for our faith is somehow immoral. As Christians we’ve got to be willing to be offensive for the name of Christ. We cannot afford as Christians to take God’s absolute truth and shade it into areas of gray for the sake of being inclusive. We can certainly respect the person who does not beleve as we do and respect their right to believe what they believe. Respecting them as people and respecting their rights is where we must draw the line. To give credence to a contradictory belief is to then move into the realm of being double minded. The enemy is using this secular world view of tolerance to bring division and confusion into the Body of Christ. Leave A Comment |
D. Horne
July 31st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Our country was established in and with Biblical Truths .They formed the contitution (bylaws) for all to know this is the way walk in it. They did not allow guests (foreigners) to dictate how, who or what to believe. The history of America being “tolerant ” to refugees or those looking for a better life of freedom . Has caused the rapid plunge of moral values ,high standards of respect for oneself and others. Society has a totally backwards concept of Life, all and everything is excepted until you say JESUS !! In schools ,public places, main events & some resturants you can mention ant idol or god its excepted . My feelings is that America has been too tolerant and we as Christains must stop comforming to include everyone. Everyone will not enter the Kingdom.