Questioning Christian Tolerance

Today I was sitting with the Kaleo students for lunch and hearing their stories about what happened at their respective churches this morning. Kevin began to talk about how the Anglican churches in the area were going to meet up for an Advent celebration, the only question was, where?

Some of the church leaders were suggesting that they go to a art exhibit “Doorsways to Spirit”. A decision that never sat well with Kevin’s pastor. And rightly so, because this art exhibit was about how all doors, like: Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, New Age, Goddess, etc all lead to the same end. They decided that, there was the place that they would meet together as churches in the area to “fellowship” with each other.


In the following week after this meeting with the Anglican churches, Kevin’s pastor began to research what this art exhibit was all about, since he did not have the greater knowledge of it. Upon further examination he realized how controversial and ironic a place this is for a Christian gathering.

Here is were some who read this blog will get uneasy and rightly so, because tolerance is becoming part of the post-modern mindset. The pastor of Kevin’s church wrote a letter to the surrounding Anglican churches stating the issues that he had about the subject of the art show. Questioning why would Anglican churches, who at their core, believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father, gather at such a place and support it.

In a contrary statement the artist says, “…regardless of which door or doors you choose to ‘go through,’ the center is the same for all. It’s not as important which door as much as recognizing that there is more than one door.”

This statement as a whole is completely contradictory to what the Christian doctrines state in the Bible. In the letter the pastor writes paraphrasing John 16:4, “…He is not simply a way, but the way to a relationship with God”(“He” meaning Jesus). Describing as well how we are to love one another, not be tolerant of one another. A biblical principle, taught by Jesus.

“Tolerance is the easy virtue of people who do not believe in anything” - G. K. Chesterton

Throughout reading the letter I began to realize more and more of how we as a post-modern culture are sacrificing truth for tolerance, or turning truth into tolerance. The Bible to some is considered hate literature. Is the Bible controversial? Yes. Is it hate filled? No. The very basis of the Christian faith is love through what Jesus Christ did for us. What did he do for us? He sacrificed himself and took on our sins as humankind so that we can come to the Father.

If we are turning truth into tolerance, that is a mutation within our minds and a testament to the sin of man. Truth is not tolerance but love. You are not truthful to a person you do not love, but you are truthful to those you love. As a somewhat self proclaimed post-modernist, I feel this is where I have slipped up. Confusing what tolerance was and sacrificing the beauty of truth in conjunction through Jesus' love.

Thank you to Kevin’s pastor for questioning tolerance and speaking truth.