Tolerance and Judging Non-Christians

Post date: Sep 19, 2013 5:53:43 PM

“There is a modern myth that holds that true tolerance consists of neutrality. It is one of the most entrenched assumptions of a society committed to relativism.

The tolerant person occupies neutral ground, a place of complete impartiality where each person is permitted to decide for himself. No judgments allowed. No "forcing" personal views. Each takes a neutral posture towards another's convictions.

This approach is very popular with post-modernists, that breed of radical skeptics whose ideas command unwarranted respect in the university today. Their rallying cry, "There is no truth," is often followed by an appeal for tolerance.” --Greg Koukl

I. What is Tolerance?

--Religious Pluralism: is the belief that: Opposing religions are true; All the sincere will be saved; All major roads lead to heaven3

--Pluralism says all views are true but it confuses the fact of everyone having equal and respected value vs. every truth claim being equally valid and true. In essence, tolerance is an engineering term and is a measure of far a system (abridge, engine, etc.) can be skewed from what is good and right and true before it breaks. In the end people’s views should certainly be respected, but drifting from what is true and right is simply not a good or smart thing to do.4

-- “Most young people have now been taught that tolerance requires us to accept that “all views have equal merit and none should be considered better than another... this definition is self-refuting because, although folks who hold to this definition say they accept all views as equally true, they reject the view that some ideas are patently false (and, therefore, have less value than others). In other words, they will accept any view as equally valuable except the claim that some views are not equally valuable... tolerance” was defined as “the fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc. differ from one’s own.” This definition of the term is much different than the more recent corruption of the word... How I react toward people is what defines me as tolerant, not how I react toward ideas.” - See more at: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2013/the-three-ds-of-tolerance.

-- According to Greg Koukl: “Many people are confused about what tolerance is. According to Webster's New World Dictionary, Second College Edition, the word tolerate means to allow or to permit, to recognize and respect others' beliefs and practices without sharing them, to bear or put up with someone or something not necessarily liked. Tolerance, then, involves three elements: (1) permitting or allowing (2) a conduct or point of view one disagrees with (3) while respecting the person in the process. Notice that we can't tolerate someone unless we disagree with him. This is critical. We don't "tolerate" people who share our views. They're on our side. There's nothing to put up with. Tolerance is reserved for those we think are wrong.

This essential element of tolerance--disagreement--has been completely lost in the modern distortion of the concept. Nowadays, if you think someone is wrong, you're called intolerant.

This presents a curious problem. One must first think another is wrong in order to exercise tolerance toward him, yet doing so brings the accusation of intolerance. It's a "Catch-22." According to this approach, true tolerance is impossible...

Adding to the confusion is the fact that tolerance could apply to different things--persons, behaviors, or ideas--and the rules are different for each.

Tolerance of persons, what might be called "civility," can be equated with the word "respect." This is the classical definition of tolerance: the freedom to express one's ideas without fear of reprisal.

We respect those who hold different beliefs than our own by treating them courteously and allowing their views a place in the public discourse. We may strongly disagree with their ideas and vigorously contend against them in the public square, but we still show respect for the persons in spite of the differences.

Note that respect is accorded to the person, here.

Whether his behavior should be tolerated is an entirely different issue. This is the second sense of tolerance, the liberty to act, called tolerance of behavior. Our laws demonstrate that a man may believe what he likes--and he usually has the liberty to express those beliefs--but he may not behave as he likes. Some behavior is immoral or a threat to the common good. Rather than being tolerated, it is restricted by law. In Lincoln's words: There is no right to do wrong.

Tolerance of persons must also be distinguished from tolerance of ideas. Tolerance of persons requires that each person's views get a courteous hearing, not that all views have equal worth, merit, or truth. The view that no person's ideas are any better or truer than another's is irrational and absurd. To argue that some views are false, immoral, or just plain silly does not violate any meaningful standard of tolerance.

These three categories are frequently conflated by muddled thinkers. If one rejects another's ideas or behavior, he's automatically accused of rejecting the person and being disrespectful. To say I'm intolerant of the person because I disagree with his ideas is confused...

Historically, our culture has emphasized tolerance of all persons, but never tolerance of all behavior. This is a critical distinction because, in the current rhetoric of relativism, the concept of tolerance is most frequently advocated for behavior: premarital sex, abortion, homosexuality, use of pornography, etc. People ought to be able to behave the way they want within broad moral limits, the argument goes.

Ironically, though, there is little tolerance for the expression of contrary ideas on issues of morality and religion. If one advocates a differing view, he is soundly censured. The tolerance issue has thus gone topsy-turvy: tolerate most behavior, but don't tolerate opposing beliefs about those behaviors. Contrary moral opinions are labeled as "imposing your view on others."

Instead of hearing, "I respect your view," those who differ in politically incorrect ways are told they are bigoted, narrow-minded, and intolerant...” 8

-See more at: http://www.str.org/articles/the-intolerance-of-tolerance#.U-9viKOKWSo

II. The Christian Worldview

A. Worldview: how one views reality. A person's worldview is the sum total of their answers to the important questions in life. It is a philosophical system and a set of beliefs that tries to explain all of reality. A worldview provides the basic foundation for the various religious and philosophies of life6. It can also be defined as a set of assumptions which may or may not be true which people hold knowingly or unknowingly about the universe, God, truth, morality, and death. Our worldview must adequately answer questions of origin, meaning, morality and destiny (Ravi Zacharias). Moreover, the worldview we hold drives how we think, act and feel... what we really believe (The Truth Project). And our WV affects the way you look at everything... life, death, politics, parenting, education, etc. Furthermore, since each WV holds to central beliefs that are opposed by the others, then logically only one worldview can be true; the others must be false.

B. Truth is absolute and objective, having its basis in God, and is acquired primarily through general (the universe) and special revelation (the Bible). There is sufficient evidence to allow us to believe that the Bible accurately reflects God and His Truth.

1) Truth must consist of ideas or statements that match what is or reality, does not depend on or change as a result of our personal feelings or belief, it is not relative, subjective, pragmatic or unknown. Truth should be the guiding principle for what we believe, and how we live our lives

C. God originally created man in His own image, perfect, and with the ability to choose right and wrong. But man disobeyed, sin entered (corrupt human nature) and resulted in everyone being born condemned, guilty, relationally and spiritually separated from God. All are guilty of breaking God's moral law, of being sinners by nature and by choice. Because God is just and holy, He deals with sin and sinners as they deserve. All sin everywhere must be paid by someone somewhere; it is paid either by the person or by Jesus. That's why God became human, the man Jesus, and came to earth so that we could escape eternal punishment and have a personal relationship with God.

1. Sin is any thought or attitude, act or failure to act, that displeases God. It is disobedience to God’s moral law. (Exo20:3-17; Matt 5:21-34).

a) Our Sin condition (the real problem), sin force, results in behavior/acts (the symptoms/expressions of sin). All people are guilty, sinners by nature and by choice (Rom 3:10,23; Gal 3:10; Jam 2:10, 4:17). We sin when we do what God tells us not to do or when we don’t do what He tells us to do as revealed in the Bible (Rom 3:20; 7:7; Mark 7:20-23). Actual/Personal sins are how a person knows he has a sin problem (nature/conditon). All sin—inherited (original), imputed, or actual—has a price to be paid.

b) guilt is the mental awareness of violating or breaking God’s moral law6

2. “Of the many self-refuting statements offered on college campuses across America, perhaps the most dangerous for Christians is the new definition of “tolerance”. Like all worldviews, Christianity offers an explanation for reality that excludes many other options. If Christianity is true, other views of the world that deny the existence of God (or postulate a god who is characteristically different than the God of the Bible) are false. If these other views are true, Christianity is false. When worldviews offer opposite and contradictory explanations, both may be incorrect (or one may be correct) but both cannot be true.”8

3. “Tolerance Requires a Disagreement

Tolerance is unnecessary when you and I agree on something. What’s there to tolerate when we both agree? Tolerance is required when two people don’t agree on something important. Tolerance is not a celebration of harmonious agreement, but a strategy for peaceful coexistence in the midst of disagreement. Tolerance is the attitude we adopt when we refuse to embrace a notion as true, not the act of embracing that notion as though it were true.” 8

III. Christians are called to separate themselves from the world system that incorporates the total society, activity, culture and philosophy of non-christians.1

A. 1Jn 2:15-16 NET.

(15) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,

(16) because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world.

1. Why?

a. the world system is led by Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), its works are evil (7:7), it is condemned by God (12:31; 1John 2:17), and it fails to meet humanity’s spiritual needs (1Cor 1:21)1

b. Christians are no longer part of this world system (John 15:19; Col 1:13)

2. What it does NOT mean:

a. God does not command Christians to isolate themselves from non-christians (monasticism).

1. Jesus prayed:

Joh 17:14-17 NET.

(14) I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

(15) I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.

(16) They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.

(17) Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.

2. Paul in writing to Christians said:

1Co 5:9-13 NET.

(9) I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.

(10) In no way did I mean the immoral people of this world, or the greedy and swindlers and idolaters, since you would then have to go out of the world.

(11) But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who calls himself a Christian who is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolater, or verbally abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person.

(12) For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside?

(13) But God will judge those outside. Remove the evil person from among you.

a) he had to clarify himself because some Christians thought he meant that they

were to completely avoid non-christians (1Co_5:11; 2Th_3:6-15)

b) “Those in the world God will judge (cf. Act_17:31). But those within the Christian community who continue in sin with an unrepentant spirit, the church should discipline by expulsion.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary

c) “Paul never intended himself or the church to be judges of unbelievers outside the church, but to judge those inside (cf. 1Pe_4:17). Those on the outside are for God to judge and believers to evangelize. Those who sin on the inside, the church is to put out. Verse 1Co_5:13 is quoted from Deu_17:7.” The McArthur Study Bible (NKJV)

d) Ex. A christian can be friends with an unmarried couple who have a child or even homosexuals.

3. God commands Christians to interact with and minister to non-christians so that we can gain a hearing of the Gospel (John 17:18; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:18-20)

a) God intends Christians to be in the world as witnesses (cf. Mat_5:13-16; Act_1:8; Php_2:15).2

4. Jesus Himself interacted with non-christians, going to their homes, eating with them and listening to their problems (Luke 7:36; 11:37; 14:1; Matt 9:9-10)

a) however, He did not participate in their sins or approve of their wrongdoing

(Heb 7:26; 1Pet 2:22)

b) He was tolerant toward people not their lifestyle or actions

5. God commands His followers to love others even those who are enemies.

a) Joh 13:34-35 NET.

(34) "I give you a new commandment -- to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

(35) Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples -- if you have love for one another."

b) Mat 5:43-44 NET.

(43) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor' and 'hate your enemy.'

(44) But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,

c) The real question is not who is my neighbor but will I be a neighbor (Luke 10)

1. Jesus teaches on how His followers are to respond to the needs that

people have

a) not make excuses or ignore people in need

b) do something to help, taking action even if it involves

sacrificing your own time, resources, skills, knowledge with

no expectation of return

c) continually being a neighbor, demonstrating God's love to

people, seeking their interests, serving, being an instrument

of God's kindness and representing Jesus' love, patience, selfishness, goodness, kindness, compassion and humility.

d) NOT allowing our emotions, feeling or personal beliefs

direct our behavior

1) acting and helping people and obeying God out of love even if we don't feel like loving or helping

d) Christians are to love, respect and care for people but hate what is evil (actions, behaviors; attitudes as defined by God's nature and character) (Psa_97:10; Psa_119:104, Psa_119:128, Psa_119:163; Pro_8:13; Pro_13:5; Pro_28:16; Heb_1:9; Rev_2:6). 7

1. Rom 12:9 NET.

(9) Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.

2. 2Ti 2:24-26 NET.

(24) And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

(25) correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth

(26) and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will.

a) Paul instructs Timothy on what the correct view and attitude is when dealing with opponents to the Gospel

3. Rom 12:14-21 ESV

(14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

(15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

(16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

(17) Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

(18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

(19) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

(20) To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

(21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

a) Paul speaks about being kind to and even providing for those who are cruel (see also Gal 6:9-10; 1John 3:16-20)1

b) Christians can disagree with other people's beliefs and lifestyle but are to do so respectfully

4. Christians are also to seek peace whenever possible

a) Pro 16:7 NET.

(7) When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD,

he even reconciles his enemies to himself.

5. According to the Christian worldview, all people have value because all are made in God's image (Gen 9:6; James 3:9)1

6. loving people is not the same as liking them or finding pleasure in others1

3. What It means:

a) God commands Christians to avoid any association with non-Christians that would

compromise their commitment to Him and hinder our doing His will

1) 2Co 6:14-18 NET.

(14) Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

(15) And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever?

(16) And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, "I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

(17) Therefore "come out from their midst, and be separate," says the Lord, "and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you,

(18) and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the All-Powerful Lord.

2) They are not to associate with people who would lead us to sin ( 1 Cor 15:33) or

participate in their sinning (Eph 5:11)

b) Many things in the world are non evil but can be used in evil ways

1) we must not allow things to dominate, enslave us and take God's place in our

lives (Matt 6:19-24; Col 3:5)

B. The Band, Demon Hunter addresses this topic in their song Relentless Intolerance:

1. '“Keeping sight of the vow we made

Holding fast to the hope

So when we stand in the line of wrath

The true and righteous will know

The foundation that we used to uphold

Now regarded as the madness of old

Every alteration made to the standard of truth

Is a nail in the coffin we hold

We embody everything they despise

Because they see us through degenerate eyes

So when they cast you down as intolerant filth

Stand firm, never bow to the lies'

Relentless Intolerance” speaks about the constant breakdown of morality and tradition in the world today. It’s about the pressures of being “open-minded” and “accepting” of things that we’re called to detest and flee from. In a world that’s always progressing, we need to look back to the times when we were less tolerant of immorality- and that’s what this song is about. There should be “no reformed edition” of the gospel. The things that we believe and trust should be viewed the same tomorrow as they were yesterday.

The song urges believers to not be ashamed when they are viewed as intolerant or narrow minded, because even though these are dirty words in today’s world, we are called to walk a narrow path and we cannot afford to be accepting of every sin this world may become numb to.

"Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good." - Romans 12:9” - Ryan Clark

2. As Christians we should hold on to the Truth no matter what.

a) “I avow to the call on high. My resolve in the blessed above, in this ever-consuming divide”

IV. A Brief Comment on Homosexuality

A. “In the Apostle Paul’s day, some Greeks and Romans justified such actions by asserting that adult/child sexual relations positively contributed to the education of the child. The practice was also included in various pagan religious rituals. One wonders if our society is simply returning back to the days of ancient Greece and Rome where sex and other such practices are concerned.

To the church at what could arguably be called the most sexual free and open city of that day – Corinth – Paul, wrote the following: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9–10).

Paul lists out all kinds of supposed “born that way” sexual practices including heterosexual fornication, homosexual sex, and possibly adult/child relations (the Greek term malakos, translated here “effeminate”, can refer to such behavior[7]). But then the Apostle says, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11, my emphasis).” 10

B. “The root problem for anyone is neither biological (nature), nor environmental (nurture). It’s spiritual. Those former homosexuals in ancient Corinth weren’t simply changed; they were transformed through a real encounter with the living Christ. New birth brought new life. The same fresh start is available to everyone. God is there to forgive, and God is there to restore, regardless of individual struggles. And that is the best hope for anyone, homosexual or heterosexual.”11

1. “Romans 1:26-27... addresses both male and female homosexuality and outlines the real problem: rebellion against God and rejection of His created order. This makes it difficult to argue that the behavior condemned in the passage is something other than homosexuality. Knowing the biblical truth about homosexuality is important because many people deny that God condemns homosexual behavior...

Treat Homosexuals as You Would Anyone Else. This may seem like obvious advice, but many Christians act differently around homosexuals. They get uneasy. Their nonverbal communication, their behavior, and the direction of their conversation all change...We should treat homosexuals as we would any other person. Show them the same dignity, kindness, and respect you would show someone who isn't gay....

Second, don't expect homosexuals to change their lifestyle before they come to church.”12

2. “The Bible isn't antihomosexual; it's antihomosexual behavior. This is a critical difference...Christians are not antidrunks. We're against drunkenness. We're not antiliars. We think lying is wrong. We're not against the person who sins. Rather, we oppose the sinful behavior. Following Jesus' example, we love and care for people regardless of their shortcomings. Saying we're antihomosexual confuses the issue and compounds an already difficult situation.”12

C. Jesus died mainly for our sin condition not just for specific sins: behaviors, words, attitudes, thoughts (e.g. lying, stealing, murder, adultery). God's law reveals what sin is; shows us that our behaviors are a result of our sinful heart condition and it leads us to Jesus (Rom_3:20; 7:7; Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 3:4; Gal 3:24). The law condemns people who are already condemned from birth; it exposes one as a sinner (John 3:18). Jesus changes people by changing their hearts (James 1:14; Matt 15:19; 6:19-24; 12:33-35).

1. “The work of conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts men, but he convicts them by using the truth to do it. He convicts them by a correct understanding of doctrine, not by some kind of sentimentality. Conviction is the Spirit of God using the facts of the word of God to bring about a change in a man's mind that then hits his emotions and results in his live being changed. He will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. First of all of sin because they believe not of Me. Notice it doesn't say convicts the world of sins. You don't really convict a man of the seriousness of his sin if you start talking about whether he lies or whether he cheats or whether he's unfair or whether he beats his wife or whether he commits adultery. What you're talking about is when you really convict men is the sin of not believing on Jesus Christ. That is the issue.” - John McArthur's message on The Early Church Pattern for Evangelism, Part 3.

2. “Third, don't treat homosexual behavior as the most detestable crime against God. When we make it the supreme evil, we add unnecessary offense. Gays will conclude that we think all sin is bad, but their sin is the worst. And if their sin is the worst, they'll conclude they are the worst. But the Bible doesn't teach that homosexuality is the greatest evil. In fact, it's listed right alongside stealing, coveting, getting drunk, and lying.”12

Conclusion

“As Christ followers, we are required to personify tolerance, even as we boldly and fearlessly proclaim the truth. Sadly, it seems that some of us think we have to embrace the attitudes and values of the culture in order to be tolerant. But unless we are willing to hold on to our distinctions and retain our disagreements, the need for tolerance will be lost altogether.” 8 Jesus and the Bible teach that Christians are to demonstrate God's love to people, even those who are homosexual, by seeking their interests, serving, and being an instrument of God's kindness. Christians can disagree with other people's beliefs and lifestyle but are to do so respectfully. They are to defend the truth with gentleness and respect (1Peter 3:15). Christians are to be tolerant toward people but not their lifestyle or actions; they are not to participate in other people's disobedience to God or approve of their wrongdoing.9 “[Christians are] not speaking about spiritual things on [our] own authority. [We are] deferring to Jesus. [We are] not asking you to listen to [our] view of the truth. Jesus is the one who is the expert, so let's listen to Him. (How Do You Know Christianity Is True? Greg Koukl)” I will end with another quote from Greg Koul: “Most of what passes for tolerance today is not tolerance at all, but rather intellectual cowardice. Those who hide behind the myth of neutrality are often afraid of intelligent engagement. Unwilling to be challenged by alternate points of view, they don't engage contrary opinions or even consider them. It's easier to hurl an insult--"you intolerant bigot"--than to confront the idea and either refute it or be changed by it. "Tolerance" has become intolerance. The classical rule of tolerance is this: Tolerate persons in all circumstances, by according them respect and courtesy even when their ideas are false or silly. Tolerate (i.e., allow) behavior that is moral and consistent with the common good. Finally, tolerate (i.e., embrace and believe) ideas that are sound. This is still a good guideline.” 8