Gary wrote: > how does tolerance factor into your > world view? E.g., is tolerance global > or is it of certain people?
Tolerance is global. God is our example in this. If God were intolerant, he would have wiped out the world long ago. Instead, we find him to be very patient and longsuffering toward the workers of iniquity. He does not condone the wicked. He constantly speaks to them concerning their need to repent and do what is right. However, he seeks for a voluntary understanding and submission, not one that is appropriated by force. There are many other factors involved, however, and sometimes we see him come down hard as an object lesson to the rest of us (e.g., I'm thinking right now of Ananias and Sapphira). Gary wrote: > is love associated as closely with tolerance > as it is with unity? Yes. Religious groups generally tend to be intolerant. This is human nature, not God's nature. This is why we have different sects. People congregate around commonly shared beliefs and shun those who do not receive the same. Such is the root of denominationalism, and extreme sects which severely cut off others are considered cults. An example of this would be the attitude of Jews not to fellowship with Gentiles, or of males separating from females in the meetings, or separating from others because of dietary restrictions, or separating because of doctrinal disagreements of the Godhead, the Trinity, modes of baptism, the need for holiness, grace, etc. Even when the base of the separation is a truth, if it leads to unloving behavior between individuals, it is wrong. Concerning the community of believers, the local church, I really see only one thing which we are to be intolerant about. We are to be intolerant of sin, which is defined as any action that does not have love as its source. This is because fellowship is adversely affected by the sin of even one person. There is no room for sin in the body of Christ. Regarding the word tolerance, I should perhaps make it clear that tolerance does not mean that we think certain viewpoints are free to be shared unchallenged. It means that we allow views to be shared, and we readily challenge false views, and admonish one another to change views that are contrary to truth. Tolerance should give freedom to the expression of viewpoints, but it does not give a license for anyone to embrace falsehoods. An example: as a parent, suppose my child comes home from school and she tells me that she doesn't believe in God anymore because she learned in school that evolution through natural laws explains our existence. If I was intolerant, perhaps I would yell at her and send her to her room without supper until she apologized to me for articulating such terrible ideas. On the other hand, if I am tolerant, I would simply take time to instruct her properly about problems in her viewpoint and show her many good reasons to continue believing in God. In fact, I would probably do it in a loving and cheerful way while we were having supper together. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
