More On Tolerance

by Steve Bastin

Quite a storm has erupted over the article we wrote on tolerance for our July issue of Straight Bible Talk.  We thought it might be worthwhile to explore further the idea of tolerance and perhaps clarify some issues that we left unresolved.

There are many issues upon which God has not spoken.  Whether one dyes their hair or leaves it a natural color is a matter of indifference to God and ought to be to us.  Whether one eats meat or is a vegetarian is likewise a matter of indifference.  The list could be extended forever to include those things of which we ought to be tolerant because God is tolerant.

Likewise there are many issues for which God has given a plain statement of right and wrong.  On those issues, and those issues alone, Christians ought to stand with God and be as intolerant as God.

Some returned the issue with various comments.  “This is an example of the hate mail which is dividing and destroying this country.  You should be ashamed of yourself calling yourself a Christian.”

Another, in referring to the coupon on the mailing wrote, “Not from a church with such a vile, unloving and human interpretations.”

Here is one definition for tolerance:  “the capacity for or practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.”  Respect is defined as “a feeling of appreciative regard; esteem.”  Intolerance is defined as “a lack of tolerance.”  (These definitions are from the American Heritage Dictionary.)

Another person responded by indicating that, to him, intolerance implies violence.  While many intolerant people may be violent, there are many more who are intolerant without being violent.  While many Americans are opposed to abortion (intolerant of abortion), there are very few who have resorted to violence.

We are not advocating violence, but we are advocating a rejection, a lack of appreciation or esteem for all actions that are contrary to the will of God.  We cannot in good conscience give respect and esteem to that which God opposes including other religions.  That is our stance on tolerance.

Let me be perfectly frank with you.  There are many things for which we should have great tolerance and there are other things for which we ought to have zero tolerance.

When a school announces a zero tolerance for weapons, they are not implying that they will shoot anyone who brings a weapon.  They are stating that they will remove the weapons.  The weapons will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  Intolerance and violence are too separate issues.

Godly tolerance always implies patience, forbearance and a willingness to enter into a dialog with those who hold opposing viewpoints.  But godly tolerance does not include respect or appreciation for that which is wrong.  One reason we have for publishing “Straight Bible Talk” is to oppose that which is condemned by God.  We are always open to discussion.  We will correct our views when presented with Biblical evidence for a change.

Nowhere in the Bible is there a list of virtues that includes tolerance.  (If I am wrong please give me the place where this is to be found.)  From the death of Abel to the close of Revelation, page after page in the Bible covers matters for which God has no tolerance.  Cain was banished.  The world of Noah’s day was flooded.  Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with fire and brimstone. The Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea.  God does not tolerate forever disobedience to His commands.

One respondent suggested that “what God does not tolerate does not exist, at least not for long.”  God waited over 100 years before destroying the world with the flood.  God daily waits patiently, but does not tolerate sin.  As Habakkuk, God’s prophet, wrote concerning Him, “Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot look on wickedness with favor.”

Intolerance is often combined with patience and forbearance.  It must be combined with love for the sinner if one is to truly imitate God.  For that reason, intolerance is often mistaken for tolerance.

The whole issue of tolerance gets tangled up with one’s view of judgment as well.  Since we live in a society where judging is deemed evil, then tolerance is the natural outcome.  Evil is accepted in the name of being “non-judgmental.”  Thus we have tolerance of evil.  Religions that exclude Jesus as the Son of God are evil.

Just as there can be “good” tolerance and “bad” tolerance, there can also be “good” judging and “bad” judging.  Our judgments need to parallel God’s judgments.  Where one is not sure on which side God stands, judgment needs to be suspended.  When one has a clear statement from Scripture about the stance of God, judgment ought to be rendered.

When one has judged the conduct of another as evil,  a course of action must then be conceived.  That course of action must be according to God’s Word also.  It is not enough that one make a judgment that is consistent with God’s judgment, one’s actions must also be informed by the clear teaching of the Bible.

Just as tolerance is not an absolute good, neither is withholding judgment an absolute good.  If you see someone headed for a catastrophe in their life, it is not kindness to remain silent.  A judgment must be made and action must be taken.  Certainly there are times when judgment is wrong and there are times when the action taken is wrong.  But that does not change the fact that we sometimes need to make judgments and we sometimes need to take actions to save our friends (and even sometimes our enemies).

When a sinner wants us to tolerate their sin, we need to speak out.  When a person is headed for an eternity away from God, those who love God and love sinners need to speak out.

Tolerance and non-judging never saved anyone.  Those “actions” simply leave people to fall into their own abyss.  Christians owe the world more than to idly stand by while the world plunges headlong into hell.

Intolerance and judging go together.  You cannot have one without the other.  The world wants neither.  “I’m having a good time and don’t you dare say anything against what I am doing,” is a common attitude.

Understanding that Jesus was raised from the dead has changed my perspective.  I know that this world is not all there is.  There lies before me a day of judgment.  With Amos I cry out, “Prepare to meet your God.”