As Christians, we are often accused of being intolerant. E.g. if we say sex outside of marriage or homosexuality is "wrong", we are called intolerant. We are called intolerant because we do not agree with those who view these behaviors as OK.
But what is tolerance? Tolerance is the act of allowing something we don't agree with. Note that last part: "that we don't agree with". The very word tolerance implies disagreement.
If we agree with an idea or behavior, there is no need to "tolerate" it at all. The word "tolerance" only makes sense if there is first something we don't agree with.
So as Christians, we DO tolerate others. We DO "allow" others to behave in ways we don't agree with -- i.e. we do not forcibly oppress them, arrest them, etc. In fact, as Christians we are called to love our neighbors, even our "pagan" ones. So, by definition, the Christian position is one of tolerance.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
No Such Thing as Absolute Truth
No Absolute Truth?
Okay, here's a quicky. The next time someone tells you "there's no such thing as absolute truth", ask them if that statement is absolutely true.
(Then give it a minute to sink in.)
BTW, statements like this are not things we say so that we can "score points" on people. They are just starting points for getting people to think for a minute. The point is to disarm "think-bombs" like relativism so that we can get into real discussions about faith and truth and God.
Okay, here's a quicky. The next time someone tells you "there's no such thing as absolute truth", ask them if that statement is absolutely true.
(Then give it a minute to sink in.)
BTW, statements like this are not things we say so that we can "score points" on people. They are just starting points for getting people to think for a minute. The point is to disarm "think-bombs" like relativism so that we can get into real discussions about faith and truth and God.
Friday, September 26, 2008
"You can't legislate morality." Oh really?
Along the lines of dealing with challenges to our Christian faith and morality, let me start with a very simple example.
How many times have you heard this: "You can't legislate morality"?
Sounds good, doesn't it. As long as you don't really think about it. But what if you do think about it for a second?
Of course you can legislate morality. What about our laws against theft, murder, defamation, fraud, etc. Aren't those legislating morality? Of course they are! You should not murder. You should not steal. These are moral statements. I.e. you should not do them because they are wrong. Wrong is a moral judgment. I would venture to say that most of our laws are based on moral judgments.
So, there's a simple one. It's amazing what a little bit of thinking can do. :-) Given the silliness of this statement, let's lead the charge of pointing out its silliness and getting it out of our faith and morality discussions.
Along the lines of dealing with challenges to our Christian faith and morality, let me start with a very simple example.
How many times have you heard this: "You can't legislate morality"?
Sounds good, doesn't it. As long as you don't really think about it. But what if you do think about it for a second?
Of course you can legislate morality. What about our laws against theft, murder, defamation, fraud, etc. Aren't those legislating morality? Of course they are! You should not murder. You should not steal. These are moral statements. I.e. you should not do them because they are wrong. Wrong is a moral judgment. I would venture to say that most of our laws are based on moral judgments.
So, there's a simple one. It's amazing what a little bit of thinking can do. :-) Given the silliness of this statement, let's lead the charge of pointing out its silliness and getting it out of our faith and morality discussions.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Reasonable Faith
A member of my church shared a prayer concern today about our college students and challenges to their faith. This is an area that strongly tugs at my heart!
A few years ago I attended a talk by John Stonestreet about the issue of why students walk away from their faith. It alerted me to the problem, and got me thinking about my own long and circuitous faith journey. It helped me see that I did not have good reasons for the faith that was in me. (But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 Pet 3:15)
Since then I have been ardently studying and learning about my faith and the good reasons there are for believing in Christ and the Christian faith that has been handed down to us. Books and essays by C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterson, Greg Koukl, Lee Strobel, and Jay Wile -- to name just a few -- have helped me greatly in this area, showing me that Christianity is a reasonable faith -- one where we do not have to "check our brains at the door." On the contrary, now that I really think critically and dig for facts in science and philosophy and cosmology, I find my faith getting stronger all the time! I am much more sure of my faith now than "the hour I first believed" and I can articulate it (and "defend it") much better now.
I want to offer my help to anyone who is having their faith challenged and feels they don't know how to respond. I would love to be a resource for anyone having such questions. I have been there, and I think I can be a helper (with the Holy Spirit) in showing the way out.
If you or someone you know wants/needs someone to come along side them during such faith challenges, just comment on this blog or send me an email. And please pray for our college students.
A few years ago I attended a talk by John Stonestreet about the issue of why students walk away from their faith. It alerted me to the problem, and got me thinking about my own long and circuitous faith journey. It helped me see that I did not have good reasons for the faith that was in me. (But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 Pet 3:15)
Since then I have been ardently studying and learning about my faith and the good reasons there are for believing in Christ and the Christian faith that has been handed down to us. Books and essays by C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterson, Greg Koukl, Lee Strobel, and Jay Wile -- to name just a few -- have helped me greatly in this area, showing me that Christianity is a reasonable faith -- one where we do not have to "check our brains at the door." On the contrary, now that I really think critically and dig for facts in science and philosophy and cosmology, I find my faith getting stronger all the time! I am much more sure of my faith now than "the hour I first believed" and I can articulate it (and "defend it") much better now.
I want to offer my help to anyone who is having their faith challenged and feels they don't know how to respond. I would love to be a resource for anyone having such questions. I have been there, and I think I can be a helper (with the Holy Spirit) in showing the way out.
If you or someone you know wants/needs someone to come along side them during such faith challenges, just comment on this blog or send me an email. And please pray for our college students.
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