Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Right Kind of Tolerance

It is certainly no secret that the chief virtue of postmodernism is tolerance - a tolerance that Christians often (and rightfully) criticize. But in the most recent issue of Modern Reformation, editor-in-chief Michael Horton, argues that there is a right kind of tolerance that we must celebrate in order to be genuinely and distinctly Christian. He says we must be "culturally tolerant" but never theologically tolerant.

We have to stop thinking in terms of "our Judeo-Christian culture" and acknowledge the value of political pluralism and toleration. And then we can talk about the unique, non-negotiable, and true claims of the gospel. In other words, we must be culturally tolerant of other religions (including secularism), but theologically and spiritually intolerant of assimilating Christian faith and practice to the idols of our age.

--Michael Horton, "Final Thoughts"