Tolerance

[aspen]

Is it a liberal agenda?
Is it a serious call to treat others equally?
Is it a part of the great commision?

What do you believe tolerance is and is it part of your Christian walk or just a four letter word?

 

[Nancy]

Is it a liberal agenda?
Is it a serious call to treat others equally?
Is it a part of the great commision?

What do you believe tolerance is and is it part of your Christian walk or just a four letter word?

I do not see tolerance as a "liberal agenda" As a Christian, I do not tolerate another who claims Christianity and yet lives in sin. As far as the unsaved go, I believe we are to be tolerant of them yet, without compromising our beliefs. JMHO :)

 

[FHII]

Liberals certainly are big on tolerance or at least talk like they are. Conservatives get labeled as intolerant but I think that often is not the case. Its kind of funny in a sad way... Liberals seem tolerant of homosexuals, illegal aliens, Muslims and drug use, specifically marijuana. Yet they are against smokers, gun owners, anyone wearing a MAGA hat and Christianity.

Conservatives are the other way around. At least thats the stereotype. And all sides are intolerant of poor choices that today's politicians made 20+ years ago....

As for Christianity... Well. What did Jesus tolerate/not tolerate? He was a friend to publicans and sinners, called a wine bibber, was friendly with hookers and helped what could be descibed as the dregs of humanity (lepers, the blind, even a gentile and Samaritan).

In retrospect he loved his disciples (tax collectors, accountants and lowely fishermen) but was pretty hard on them. Tough love, so to speak. He tolerated Martha and Mary and they could be a handful at times.

What he didn't tolerate was was doctrine and religious hypoctrites. He despised the Pharisees and Saducees haughty attitudes and lack of compassion. He hated their fare shew of the flesh in things like fasting, giving and praying. He also hated that they replaced the Law with their own ccommandments and traditions.

Some may say that Jesus loved them too. Well, maybe in a tough love way as well. Maybe trying to warn them... But he calked them sons of Satan, vipers and blind men leading blind followers. He beat them with a whip and at one time even told his disciples not to even bother with them. That's Jesus's love and tolerance to them.

What should we do today? Well in this country (USA) we should be tolerant as our declaration says all men have the right to life liberty and the persuit of happiness. So long as you can obey the laws of the land you should be allowed to persue a life you want.

As Christians... This is one of my favorite verses on the topic:

Romans 12:18 KJV
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Is it a liberal agenda?
Is it a serious call to treat others equally?
Is it a part of the great commision?

What do you believe tolerance is and is it part of your Christian walk or just a four letter word?

I'm going to answer this for true tolerance (not related to any political agenda) and then I'll talk about the political version.
Being a jerk is not a Christian virtue. We can be civil and loving, without having to agree with what a person believes or does. In fact, one could even argue how important it is to show love and gracefulness to a non-believer/non-practicer. The Great Commission is not fulfilled by being a jerk, but by showing Christ's love. Let a person see how genuine you are and how you conduct yourself like Christ, and that will be the best testimony of all.

Now as to the political version of "tolerance"... actually on second thought I just really don't want to go into that mud pin at all, so I'll just skip talking about that.

 

[Nancy]

Liberals certainly are big on tolerance or at least talk like they are. Conservatives get labeled as intolerant but I think that often is not the case. Its kind of funny in a sad way... Liberals seem tolerant of homosexuals, illegal aliens, Muslims and drug use, specifically marijuana. Yet they are against smokers, gun owners, anyone wearing a MAGA hat and Christianity.

Conservatives are the other way around. At least thats the stereotype. And all sides are intolerant of poor choices that today's politicians made 20+ years ago....

As for Christianity... Well. What did Jesus tolerate/not tolerate? He was a friend to publicans and sinners, called a wine bibber, was friendly with hookers and helped what could be descibed as the dregs of humanity (lepers, the blind, even a gentile and Samaritan).

In retrospect he loved his disciples (tax collectors, accountants and lowely fishermen) but was pretty hard on them. Tough love, so to speak. He tolerated Martha and Mary and they could be a handful at times.

What he didn't tolerate was was doctrine and religious hypoctrites. He despised the Pharisees and Saducees haughty attitudes and lack of compassion. He hated their fare shew of the flesh in things like fasting, giving and praying. He also hated that they replaced the Law with their own ccommandments and traditions.

Some may say that Jesus loved them too. Well, maybe in a tough love way as well. Maybe trying to warn them... But he calked them sons of Satan, vipers and blind men leading blind followers. He beat them with a whip and at one time even told his disciples not to even bother with them. That's Jesus's love and tolerance to them.

What should we do today? Well in this country (USA) we should be tolerant as our declaration says all men have the right to life liberty and the persuit of happiness. So long as you can obey the laws of the land you should be allowed to persue a life you want.

As Christians... This is one of my favorite verses on the topic:

Romans 12:18 KJV
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Nice post, well balanced and spot on. Just wondering about the part where you said Jesus beat the Pharisees with a whip? :)

 

[Windmill Charge]

Is it a liberal agenda?
Is it a serious call to treat others equally?
Is it a part of the great commision?

What do you believe tolerance is and is it part of your Christian walk or just a four letter word?

Tolerance is two edged and it is a Christian virtue.
The OT demanded that everyone living in Israel be treated alike.
There was not to be one standard for the Jews and another for aliens, not one measure for the powerfull and short measures for the poor.
James elaborated on this.

But tolerance only goes so far, we are not to tolerate false teaching, ideas, behaviour etc.

 

[Willie T]

I think that we often miss Jesus in this. In that we aren't just intolerant of bad teaching, but that we also insist on carrying it to the extreme of, more especially, refusing to tolerate the misguided individuals too. We seem to delight in doing this, all the more, if those people happen to be teachers of any renown.

 

[FHII]

Nice post, well balanced and spot on. Just wondering about the part where you said Jesus beat the Pharisees with a whip? :)

Good catch! My error... In John 2 it says he made a scourge of small cord. This is where he chased moneychangers out of the temple. It never says he actually hit anyone but i believe he was swinging it at least... Why bother making it? Furthermore it doesn't say they were Pharisees... Just moneychangers. The scribes and Priests were upset he did that, but you are right... Pharasees weren't mentioned.

Hopefully my error doesn't change my overall point. He was intolerant of that practice and physically took action.

Another small error: I said Jesus was intolerant of doctrine. I meant false doctrine. He loved truthful doctrine.

But thanks for catching that point... I stand corrected.

 

[bbyrd009]

I guess spiritually speaking He may as well have been chucking spears right at them though lol

I think that we often miss Jesus in this. In that we aren't just intolerant of bad teaching, but that we also insist on carrying it to the extreme of, more especially, refusing to tolerate the misguided individuals too. We seem to delight in doing this, all the more, if those people happen to be teachers of any renown.

thus the Scripture is fulfilled I guess huh
God pls never let anyone call me a teacher, bc I do not know

 

[Waiting on him]

Is it a liberal agenda?
Is it a serious call to treat others equally?
Is it a part of the great commision?

What do you believe tolerance is and is it part of your Christian walk or just a four letter word?

1 Corinthians 5:13 KJV
[13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Tecarta BibleMy commission is the gospel. Not judgement and condemnation. Just my opinion

 

[Nancy]

Good catch! My error... In John 2 it says he made a scourge of small cord. This is where he chased moneychangers out of the temple. It never says he actually hit anyone but i believe he was swinging it at least... Why bother making it? Furthermore it doesn't say they were Pharisees... Just moneychangers. The scribes and Priests were upset he did that, but you are right... Pharasees weren't mentioned.

Hopefully my error doesn't change my overall point. He was intolerant of that practice and physically took action.

Another small error: I said Jesus was intolerant of doctrine. I meant false doctrine. He loved truthful doctrine.

But thanks for catching that point... I stand corrected.

Lol...And no, your tiny boo-boos did not change your point at all.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Is it a liberal agenda?
Is it a serious call to treat others equally?
Is it a part of the great commision?

What do you believe tolerance is and is it part of your Christian walk or just a four letter word?

With regard to the Greek vocabulary of the New Testament (as I recall at present), I don't think the word "tolerance" even appears in scripture, nor is there a scriptural precedent for it. That doesn't mean it's not a virtuous thing if applied in the right contexts I suppose, but I have a hard time relating it to any direct scriptural teaching.

Are there really any verses that could accurately be used to teach tolerance?

Romans 12:18 KJV
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

I love this verse as well, FHII. But now, I found out that the words, "as much as lieth in you" mean something different than what I thought they did. I used to think it meant, "To the best of your ability be at peace with all men." But a stricter reading actually yields, "if possible, from yourselves [at least], be at peace with all men," which means you should be at peace with all men even if they are not at peace with you. That's a bit of a different teaching. Far liberals like the LGBT community would use the concept of "tolerance" to demand that true peace be attained between themselves and Christians, and of the sort that could only be achieved if we completely acquiesced and said everything they were doing was A OK. But the teaching of this verse actually says that we are to stand our ground on Christian principles, yet be at peace with them, even though they will never be at peace with us until we acquiesce.

I'm not arguing against any of the points you made in your post. I'm simply debating whether that scripture teaches "tolerance" or not.

 

[FHII]

love this verse as well, FHII. But now, I found out that the words, "as much as lithe in you" mean something different than what I thought they did. I used to think it meant, "To the best of your ability be at peace with all men." But a stricter reading actually yields, "if possible, from yourselves [at least], be at peace with all men," which means you should be at peace with all men even if they are not at peace with you. That's a bit of a different teaching. Far liberals like the LGBT community would use the concept of "tolerance" to demand that true peace be attained between themselves and Christians, and of the sort that could only be achieved if we completely acquiesced and said everything they were doing was A OK. But the teaching of this verse actually says that we are to stand our ground on Christian principles, yet be at peace with them, even though they will never be at peace with us until we acquiesce.

I'm not arguing against any of the points you made in your post. I'm simply debating whether that scripture teaches "tolerance" or not.

I don't have a problem with the rendition you say is correct, because thats the way I understood the verse. I can stand on the doctrines of the Bible without wavering and still live in peace with those who don't .

 

[Hidden In Him]

I don't have a problem with the rendition you say is correct, because thats the way I understood the verse. I can stand on the doctrines of the Bible without wavering and still live in peace with those who don't .

Yeah. I was wondering how other people interpreted the words. I was taking it the wrong way.

 

[Enoch111]

Is it a liberal agenda?

Primarily a liberal agenda to encourage deviant and criminal behavior. There is absolutely NO liberal tolerance for Christian, conservative, or patriotic values.

Is it a serious call to treat others equally?

TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT, BUT DO NOT TOLERATE NONSENSE.

Is it a part of the great commision?

No. The Great Commission is a proclamation of the Gospel, which includes commandments to all people to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. "Repent" means the opposite of tolerate sin and evil.

 

[BreadOfLife]

Primarily a liberal agenda to encourage deviant and criminal behavior. There is absolutely NO liberal tolerance for Christian, conservative, or patriotic values.

TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT, BUT DO NOT TOLERATE NONSENSE.

No. The Great Commission is a proclamation of the Gospel, which includes commandments to all people to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. "Repent" means the opposite of tolerate sin and evil.

As G.K. Chesterton so wisely put it:
"Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions."

That pretty much says it all.

 

[marks]

But now, I found out that the words, "as much as lieth in you" mean something different than what I thought they did. I used to think it meant, "To the best of your ability be at peace with all men." But a stricter reading actually yields, "if possible, from yourselves [at least], be at peace with all men," which means you should be at peace with all men even if they are not at peace with you. That's a bit of a different teaching.

Good point, and it quite logically follows. The verse is an instruction to me, therefore, is not dependent on somene else. I can do it or not. Working with some of the people I do provides excellent training ground for this!

:)

 

[aspen]

Primarily a liberal agenda to encourage deviant and criminal behavior.

Hmmm.....seems to me it is Republicans who are concern about filling up the jails they are building to house the students who are receiving woefully underfunded educations.

There is absolutely NO liberal tolerance for Christian, conservative, or patriotic values.

And GET OFF MY LAWN!

TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT, BUT DO NOT TOLERATE NONSENSE

So let me get this straight....you are telling us that we should not tolerate any nonsense, but when we are knocked across the room with the 2x4 of your nonsense and note it, you squeal like a stuck pig? Conservatives that try to flip the script on liberals for not tolerating intolerance from Conservatives are only interested in turning clock back to the 1950s. It is their way or the highway.......sorry, not accepting it any longer - the country is diverse today.....times change and America is not a church congregation - it is full of people who worship differently or not at all.[/QUOTE]

 

[Naomi25]

Is it a liberal agenda?
Is it a serious call to treat others equally?
Is it a part of the great commision?

What do you believe tolerance is and is it part of your Christian walk or just a four letter word?

This is a good question...and one for our time, I think. People often scream tolerance, but tolerate only what they approve. And, yes, I suppose I'm thinking about liberals here. They make such a big deal about 'tolerating everything'...being 'all inclusive'...but, apparently there is a large group that isn't included in that, and that's everyone who thinks differently to them. So...I'm not really sure how they see their definition of tolerance.
What about Christians? How are we supposed to see tolerance? I think, for us, it breaks down into 2 categories. In one way I suppose we are intolerant. We see Jesus Christ as THE only way to salvation. In this, we must not move, shake or swerve. But is this because WE are intolerant of others views? Not really. We are just faithfully following what God has told us is the truth. If we are to be faithful, for our own souls, and for the souls of others, we need to proclaim this truth and proclaim it proudly.
But, how do we see other people? I think we must see them as God sees them. As people in need of a Savior. That means we extend love, and if need be, forgiveness to all. If they do not want our love or forgiveness...if they want to live outwardly in their chosen lifestyle...then for us, I believe that tolerance means we accept it and we let them. We continue to love them in the hope that one day God may open their eyes.

However, I think @Nancy said it well when she said that for a particular category...those who claim to be Christians, but chose to live openly in sin...these we must not tolerate. Christ and Paul were quite open about the hypocrisy of claiming one thing (to follow Christ and renounce sin) and living another.

 

[aspen]

This is a good question...and one for our time, I think. People often scream tolerance, but tolerate only what they approve. And, yes, I suppose I'm thinking about liberals here. They make such a big deal about 'tolerating everything'...being 'all inclusive'...but, apparently there is a large group that isn't included in that, and that's everyone who thinks differently to them. So...I'm not really sure how they see their definition of tolerance.
What about Christians? How are we supposed to see tolerance? I think, for us, it breaks down into 2 categories. In one way I suppose we are intolerant. We see Jesus Christ as THE only way to salvation. In this, we must not move, shake or swerve. But is this because WE are intolerant of others views? Not really. We are just faithfully following what God has told us is the truth. If we are to be faithful, for our own souls, and for the souls of others, we need to proclaim this truth and proclaim it proudly.
But, how do we see other people? I think we must see them as God sees them. As people in need of a Savior. That means we extend love, and if need be, forgiveness to all. If they do not want our love or forgiveness...if they want to live outwardly in their chosen lifestyle...then for us, I believe that tolerance means we accept it and we let them. We continue to love them in the hope that one day God may open their eyes.

However, I think @Nancy said it well when she said that for a particular category...those who claim to be Christians, but chose to live openly in sin...these we must not tolerate. Christ and Paul were quite open about the hypocrisy of claiming one thing (to follow Christ and renounce sin) and living another.

But Paul was speaking about the church....not the country. Our country has become and is becoming more diverse....yet, politically active Christian Conservatives often vote on laws that rescind protection for vulnerable populations and attempt to insert religious doctrine into government and schools - it is like they are trying to be provocative when they demand the Ten Commandments placed in secular courts or school lead prayer....or restricting the teaching of evolution in schools, and teaching the creation story in its place....Amish are also exclusive, but they do not demand that the country restrict formal schooling to the eighth grade.

I have no problem admitting that liberals can be restrictive and hypocritical when it comes to language and the expression of ideas they find to be unacceptable - yes, extremists can be overbearing. However, both sides have extremists. Even if the process of inclusivity is clunky and unfair at times...it is the way forward for this country.

We as Christians should be working to preserve our culture and the right to practice and live it rather than try to promote it in the public arena - it feels so plastic and dishonest when I see “Christianity” bought and sold on Wall Street and prostituted by politicians....ugh. Making the sacred profane should be a horrible sin not some thing we strive for, just to win political points.