Right and Wrong Tolerance

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We believe all have the right to believe what they consider to be true. We must respect those with whom we disagree. It may be said, “if one can laugh at someone else’s beliefs then it is probable that we have not understood them”. Pluralism is a fact of modern life. Proper tolerance will respect difference and will want to understand that difference in order to have real communication. Wrong tolerance resists definitions and either pretends differences do not exist, do not matter, or that contradictory truth claims are possible. This is disrespectful of honest relationship, which is not possible where there is not real communication. It is disrespectful of the image of God in Man. Respect and the desire to understand does not indicate agreement. A common mistake made by Christians is that we withdraw friendship from those with whom we disagree. It is helpful to make the distinction between fellowship, which can happen between those who are in Christ, and relationships, which we can have with anyone. The cause of unity in the church is best served, not by finding the lowest common denominator of doctrine around which all can gather, but by elevating the value of truth, stating the doctrinal parameters, and then demonstrating to the world how Christians can love each other across boundaries rather than by removing boundaries. In this way, the importance of truth is served by the existence of doctrinal borders, and unity is served by the way we love others across those borders. As conversation and debate take place, it may be that we will learn from each other, and the boundaries will be adjusted, even possibly folding into closer fellowship formerly disagreeing groups.