GSI Articles:
Tolerance or Terrorism
Sacrificing Self for the Real Needs of Others
(originally drafted 2002, updated 2010)
© Sid Galloway BS, M.Div.
Just an old sheepdog of the Good Shepherd
Genesis 1:1
Communicating conclusions from 100's of PhD scholars (& children)
Supporting the authority of His Word
& the consistency of His character
Human Rights? Slavery? - Animal Rights? Cruelty?
What about God's right to command compassion for all of His creatures?
Everybody is talking about tolerance today, especially as conflict and violence continue to increase. "Tolerance" is a good and necessary virtue, not only for individuals, but also for governments. In order for people to live and work together in harmony, we obviously must tolerate many different preferences on things like music, the kind of grass we grow in our yards, hair styles, etc.. A person or even a government without any tolerance at all would be rigid, insensitive, unloving, and therefore destructive to other people. But does all of this mean that it is best to tolerate everything? Wouldn't absolute tolerance for every individual preference and practice end in total anarchy?
What would you think if you heard a woman say, "I will not tolerate your lack of tolerance"? How about the fact that many of our schools now have a "Zero Tolerance" policy toward student violence? What about child molestation, rape, and murder? Should we tolerate these things? Of course not, no one in there right mind would advocate being that tolerant. So how do we as a society decide what is tolerable and what is not?
Who or what authority should be the basis for such decisions in America and now in the increasingly real "global village"? Should it be the Koran, the Bible, the Vedas, my opinion, your opinion, or what? Even conservative Christians strongly disagree with one another about what they believe should be tolerated in their churches.
Obviously there is no way to avoid the necessity of having to work out a mutual consensus among the members of any society regarding what is right, wrong, acceptable, or unacceptable. Consensus is not a bad or inherently evil word. It's an inescapable need in relationship. As a biblical Christian, I believe that one day, Messiah Jesus, will return personally and physically to the earth. Then, He will establish His Kingdom of love, with His capital city in Jeru-salem (the city of peace - shalom).
It's not my responsibility to make the world governments conform to His laws of love. He will do that when He returns. Until then, I don't believe that Christians should try and force any world government conform to the prescribed tolerances of the Bible. Yes, we should humbly vote, lobby, and use whatever other legal means available to help our nation.
The most effective way we can produce hopeful change is to make our own individual lives, families, and churches reflect the character of Christ Jesus. The New Testament commands followers of Jesus Messiah (Christ) to be model citizens of the governments wherever we live (Romans 13). We are to quietly and humbly practice our faith as fellow members of the society around us, only sharing our faith when someone is interested and receptive (1 Peter 3:15), and even then to do it very sensitively, humbly, and gently (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
Why Government Can't Save You: This important book will challenge you to choose a truly biblical response as the world turns increasingly toward global governance and universal spirituality. Beware of the fleshly tendency to demand our rights, rant and rail at lost sinners, instead of presenting the humble, heart of holy love that is the character of Christ.
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But not all Christian groups agree with this interpretation of the New Testament. A few Christians, in the same way as some (yet not all) Muslims, wrongly believe they should force the rest of the world to obey their standards. This is why the horribly sinful actions of the Roman Catholic Crusades and Inquisitions, as well as the many, many wars for conquest and slavery initiated by some Muslims groups have caused so much suffering in the world.
Jesus left His followers a different example to follow.
Romans 5:7-8
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own [unique] love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Too often we hear that another homicide bomber has died with a hate filled heart, trying to kill men, women, and children of those who disagree with him. At least on rare occasions we still hear of a man or woman who sacrifices his or her life for a loved one or a friend. But the unique love of God our Creator, the Heavenly Father, voluntarily through Jesus His Son, is willing to suffer and die even to save enemies.
This is our calling as Christians, not only to be ready to die for our enemies, but to daily walk as living sacrifices so that even our persecutors can see the love of our Father and be drawn into His family. We all fall far short of our Lord Jesus in love, but we can and must keep growing through submissive faith - for His honor and for the blessing of those around us.
"Be of the same mind toward one another;
do not be haughty in mind,
but associate with the lowly.
Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.
Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men
Never take your own revenge, beloved,
but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
"VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord
"BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM,
AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK;
FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP
BURNING COALS [of guilt] ON HIS HEAD."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:16-21