by Scott H. Northrup
The Bible tells us to treat one another "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2). Did you know that tolerance is a Christian virtue? In fact, if you look around the world at the places where people live in the greatest freedom and toleration, it is within nations historically rooted in Christian values. Christianity, considered as a whole over the long ages, has been the wellspring of tolerance.
Tolerance means to put up with others who are different than you, and to continue to be patient and kind to those who share divergent points of view. God is this way. He puts up with much that is contrary to His nature. The Word says, "Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
We are not to fear or hold in disrespect those who are different, culturally, religiously, intellectually, or socially. All human beings are of infinite worth to God.
At the same time, tolerance does NOT mean the abandonment of all convictions about what is right and wrong. Tolerance should not be elevated to a position as to be the ONLY virtue. When that happens, one gets labeled "intolerant" simply by holding a strong conviction. Tolerance is a virtue, but it is not the highest virtue. Parents cannot allow their children to do whatever they feel like doing in the name of tolerance. There is a limit at which truth and love supersedes tolerance. If I see a person walking blindly toward a cliff, my tolerance of his sovereign free will is overcome by my concern for his survival.
What is true for individuals here is also true of whole societies. We are all riding together on the great ship of civilization. That ship must be navigated based on information from BEYOND, that is, a higher reference frame that is fixed and outside of the ship. That is the role of the Word of God. Suppose some of us were keeping our fix on Polaris, the North Star, and we realize that persons at the wheel are taking us on a course that is leading all of us into dangerous waters. We can't say to ourselves, "Who are we to challenge their freedom of choice?" No, we have the imperative to confront those who are steering.
Let me give you a current example. I believe the Massachusetts Supreme Court, against the will of the majority of the people of Massachusetts, is steering us into destructive waters as a whole society. A judicial body is making its own law, and that law is contrary to the reason and experience of the ages. I am convinced (though without the space to prove it here) that this action will bring untold misery to this nation, particularly to children. This is why we as Christians cannot simply acquiesce in the name of tolerance. If gay marriage were just about granting individual liberties, that would be different, but it is about the entire direction of the ship of state. I am determined to show kindness and respect to gay people, and I have friends who are gay. They are fine people. I hold nothing against them. Yet in the name of love and truth, it is my responsibility to be a truth teller, to speak the truth that there is a way of higher fulfillment, and to empower them through Christ to overcome whatever nature or nurture has held them in bondage.
@ copyright 2004 by Scott H. Northrup. All rights reserved.