The Intolerance of Tolerance

by D.A. Carson     |     Book Summary


Author: D.A. Carson
Publisher: Eerdmans
Date: February 8, 2013
Pages: 196

Book Summary of Union With Christ by Rankin Wilbourne


Culture is fond of changing definitions. In recent years, definitions of marriage, parents, and even what constitutes life have all become fluid in Western culture. Anyone who argues for absolute truth and a standard of morality that stems from that truth is quickly canceled, silenced, and labeled a bigot or closed-minded. 

This is all the result of a new version of tolerance. This new version of tolerance demands that everyone not only acknowledge the existence of different perspectives and value systems, but also accept them as true. Relativism rules the day, and each individual is granted the authority by culture at large to speak his or her truth. What many fail to realize, though, is that this dynamic of searching for a broader definition of tolerance has actually created a narrower, more intolerant way of thinking and moving about the world. 

Tolerance should allow for civil and mature discourse in the public square about ideas; however, new tolerance demands that each person's ideas be affirmed as true, and disagreement with their ideas constitutes harm. Followers of Jesus must lead the way in exposing this harmful trend and help to restore a vision of the world consistent with God's Word and the existence of absolute truth and morality.





The Intolerance of Tolerance

by D.A. Carson

[ Book Summary ]



Book Summary of Union With Christ by Rankin Wilbourne

Author D.A. Carson
Publisher Eerdmans
Date February 8, 2013
Pages 196


Overview:

Culture is fond of changing definitions. In recent years, definitions of marriage, parents, and even what constitutes life have all become fluid in Western culture. Anyone who argues for absolute truth and a standard of morality that stems from that truth is quickly canceled, silenced, and labeled a bigot or closed-minded. 

This is all the result of a new version of tolerance. This new version of tolerance demands that everyone not only acknowledge the existence of different perspectives and value systems, but also accept them as true. Relativism rules the day, and each individual is granted the authority by culture at large to speak his or her truth. What many fail to realize, though, is that this dynamic of searching for a broader definition of tolerance has actually created a narrower, more intolerant way of thinking and moving about the world. 

Tolerance should allow for civil and mature discourse in the public square about ideas; however, new tolerance demands that each person's ideas be affirmed as true, and disagreement with their ideas constitutes harm. Followers of Jesus must lead the way in exposing this harmful trend and help to restore a vision of the world consistent with God's Word and the existence of absolute truth and morality.