Tolerance vs. Absolute Truth

Throughout Scripture and until our present day, many people have a problem with TRUTH. In fact, it is not politically correct today to say that there is even such a thing as absolute truth!

Stanley Grenz, a well-known spokesman for this new tolerance, says that “truth is relative to the community in which a person participates. And since there are many human communities, there are necessarily many different truths.”

Thomas Helmbock states that “every individual’s beliefs, values, lifestyle, and perception of truth claims are equal … There is no hierarchy of truth. Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal, and all truth is relative.”

This view is reflected in such oft-heard statements as:

“No one has the right to tell me what’s right or wrong.”

“It’s wrong to impose your beliefs or morals on someone else.”

“I have the right to do whatever I want if I’m not hurting anyone.”

“You have to do what you think is right.”

“You have your value system and I have mine.”

“I don’t feel the same way.”

“Look … that’s YOUR opinion.”

Such views are not the exception today, even among Christians. An extensive study revealed that 57% of Christian youth already believe that “what is wrong for one person is not necessarily wrong for someone else.” Nearly 80% of 18 to 34 year-olds believe there is “no unchanging ethical standard of right and wrong.”

It is not enough today to “live and let live.” It is not enough to assert another person’s right to believe or say what he thinks is right. In order to be truly tolerant, you must now give your approval, endorsement and sincere support to their beliefs AND BEHAVIORS!

United Nations Declaration of Principles On Tolerance – “Tolerance … involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism.” (Isn’t it ironic that the proponents of the new tolerance are so dogmatic about dogmatism and so absolute in their opposition to absolutism?)

In other words, any system that believes in ABSOLUTE TRUTH is by definition guilty of intolerance! You don’t even have to say anything. If you even THINK there is an absolute truth, then you are intolerant!

From a sermon by Teddy Walker, Don’t Stop on the Way Home, 6/6/2010