This Thing Called Tolerance By Bruce W. Robida

 

There is no question that all people everywhere should be tolerant of others with respect to their race, skin color, ethnicity, age, gender, handicap, and every other trait that is beyond the control of the individual. Christians should know better and should lead the way when it comes to renouncing discrimination and bigotry of any kind.  Unfortunately, there are so-called Christians (groups and individuals) who are filled with hatred and violence, giving Christianity a bad name as they act out and react violently toward those who they have wrongly taken upon themselves to judge.  There are appropriate responses to situations, ideas, and social groups who scream for tolerance of the activities that true Christians find so offensive.  But these solutions must always be within the confines of the laws of our states and Federal Government, but most importantly, the laws of God Himself.  Some of these solutions include, prayer, peaceful protest and helping to change legislation by writing letters to the editor, senators, congressmen and local representatives.  Violence of any kind is not only prohibited by the laws of our country, but especially by God.  Beating homosexuals to death, and killing abortion clinic workers is not mandated by God and anyone who does such things is nothing more than a murderer who will not only pay for his crimes while here in this life, but unless God has mercy on him, he will also pay in the life to come.  Those who perpetuate violence under a Christian banner, do so outside of the will of God and their Christianity is seriously in doubt.   There are certainly inappropriate responses toward groups and individuals who (according to biblical standards) offend Christian sensibilities, and some Christians are certainly guilty of violating biblical standards when confronted with these groups and individuals. 

Probably, the two most emotional issues that upset Christians today are abortion and homosexuality.  These are two of the easiest sins to hate, even though adultery, divorce, and gossip are as prevalent inside the Church as they are outside, and are not usually addressed with as much fervor.  This can be seen as hypocrisy, and is probably one reason non-Christians call us hypocrites.  The Church needs to clean up its own act if it expects others to want to belong. 

There are appropriate ways to confront societal ills which were mentioned earlier.  But, judgments cannot be made, and sentences cannot be handed out even though they might go against the standards of God, with one exception;  judgments can only be made within the Church, by brothers and sisters, within the Church.  Christians are not allowed to judge those outside of the Church. 

But what judgments am I talking about?  These are judgments about sin in the lives of fellow believers.  God will deal with those outside the Church, but we are to help fellow Christians see the error of their ways and if they do not listen, then we may pass judgment upon them, and cast them out from among us.  Why do we do this?  To cause them shame to hopefully make them change so that they can return (see also 2 Thessalonians chapter 3).

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

But even when a person (Christian) legitimately judges the sinful actions of fellow believers, he is sometimes labeled intolerant.  This is the case with homosexuality.  There are debates in many Christian denominations about whether or not to allow ordination of openly gay men and women.  Those who oppose are labeled intolerant.  This is of course an accurate term and Christians should not tolerate that which violates biblical standards among believers.  Those believers who would willfully violate those standards should be expelled from the Church if they are unwilling to confess their sins and repent.

Should Christians tolerate the sins of society?  Of course not!  We should try to affect change in society by legal, peaceful means whenever we see that it is necessary.  We must be willing to tolerate the gay couple living next door, or the abortion clinic down the block, but we don’t have to stand idly by so that it can continue.  We do have a voice that should be loud and clear; THESE THINGS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO GOD! But that message cannot accompany violence. 

(see also Will God Heal Our Land)

Intolerant is a label that I proudly wear as it applies to biblical standards.  I’m intolerant of my own sins, the evidence being my willingness to repent and confess them before God.  I’m intolerant of societies sins with respect to what I can legally, and peacefully protest because I believe that God’s standards should prevail.  The simplest thing every Christian can do, which many do not, is to vote for the people who are willing to try to affect change.  Many Christians complain, few do anything to change what they so often complain about.

See also: Deconstructing Liberal Tolerance - CRI - Francis J. Beckwith

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