You Need Tolerance!
As I speak to various people about the Bible, I really start getting excited when someone begins their question with, “What do you believe about…,”. Why? It is because they have allowed me the opportunity to illuminate some aspect of religion or morality with God’s Word. And, perhaps I will be able to plant a seed that will eventually bring this soul to the Lord.
But oftentimes, this question is being asked with a double standard. Time and again in our postmodern culture, they seek to condition us to doubt the reality of absolute truth. And so, the result is a new definition on the word tolerance. Today, many who consider themselves “tolerant” are decidedly intolerant to anyone who believes in moral or religious absolutes. However, neither the old or new tolerance is based on an intellectual position, but a social one. In days past, the old tolerance carried the idea of just putting up with things, allowing or enduring people and ideas that we disagree with. Yet, the new and modern tolerance is the social commitment to treat all ideas and all people as equally right and valid. They believe that a person’s position is at least as true as your position. That is, except for those people who disagree with this view of tolerance.
This new definition of tolerance complicates the seemingly innocent question that begins with, “What do you believe about…?” And, as you think of the answer in your head before you speak, as you begin to speak, many will quickly label you as being intolerant and will thus respond to you with intolerance and perhaps, hatred. This is because they believe truth is objective and that all can claim to be right when they may all be wrong. This means that tolerance now involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism. Thus, they believe that every individual’s beliefs, lifestyle, and perception of truth claims are equal and that there is no truth higher than the next person and that all truth is relative.
For example, if you are able to tell someone that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:7) you are being too narrow minded to accept another religion. If you state that the practice of homosexuality is sinful (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10) you are now considered intolerant of how people live. If you point out that Jesus has very specific standards for what constitutes marriage (Matt. 19:4-6) you are condemned by others because it does not fall in line with other people’s morals. If you state that Jesus is God (John 1:1; 14) or that Jesus only started one Church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4-6) or that hell exists (25:41, 46), and God will send seemingly good, moral people there (Matt. 7:21-23) we become the target of others screaming out their positions and stating that we are being dogmatic, unrealistic and that what we teach is not acceptable anymore. They say, “You have to change!” Even if they ask us about the Bible and we say something like, “God’s Word is the only standard in matters of faith and religion (2 Tim. 3:16-17),” we are labeled as intolerant. As you can see, this list can just go on and on.
So consider this: As a Christian, if you are walking through life being salt and light to the world (cf. Matt. 5:13-16), you will occasionally be asked, “What do you believe about…?” by people who hold to this new tolerance rather than the old. And when you find yourself in this situation – and you suspect your convictions will label you as being arrogant, bigoted, narrow-minded, judgmental, or intolerant – preface your answer by asking for tolerance. For example, say, “Thanks for caring about what I think. My beliefs are actually very personal, and I am glad to share them with you. But before I do, tell me, do you consider yourself a tolerant or intolerant person? Is it safe for me to share my beliefs with you, or are you going to ridicule my convictions? Do you respect other points of view, or do you criticize views that differ from your own?” In these questions, we find if one is really interested in knowing about our Christianity or if they are just going to pick a fight, belittle us and then try to force our minds to conform to the new tolerance. Now, if they claim to be tolerant (keep in mind that most do not consider themselves intolerant), then it will be very difficult for them to call you “intolerant” or “bigoted” when you share the truth of God’s Word with them.
This type of response just shows how flawed the new tolerance is. They reject Godly moral virtue and insert that all opinions are equal. Yet, if Christians do not believe this, we are labeled as intolerant and considered an outcast. And, in the same breath, the new tolerance says that no one should be offended, but what they mean to say is that they do not want to be offended. But, one cannot be neutral. Alas, the new tolerance is wrapped in selfism. Whether they deny Biblical theism and practice atheism, deny purity and practice sexual freedoms and etc …, it is about self. It is about oppression and they are now trying to hijack our religion to be controlled by the government.
Again, there is really no such thing as being neutral here. People are even stating that Jesus was completely tolerant as those with this new tolerance are shouting, “Judge not lest ye be judged!” This is why, as Christians, we are the ones who get labeled as being judgmental even though everyone else is judging. Of course we are not to judge according to appearances (Matt. 7:1-5), but that does not mean that we abandon Godly morals. Instead, we judge with righteous judgment, which is based solely on the word of God (John 7:24). We must also remember, that those who seek to please God rather than men, will be persecuted by those who subscribe to this new intolerance, which seeks to destroy you, your faith and your children.
So, preserve because God commands believers to use their minds to discern truth from error and between light and darkness. Expose the arrogance of this new tolerance by asking them the above questions when you are asked, “What do you believe about…,”. And, as we teach them, we can show through the Scriptures how this new tolerance is not superior. But above all, be prepared to suffer because Jesus said we would (Matt. 5:10-12) and that we should delight and trust in God.