The Intolerance of Tolerance
by D.A. Carson | Book Summary
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Author: D.A. Carson
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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. |
D.A. Carson is an emeritus professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is a founder and theologian-at-large of The Gospel Coalition. He has written many works that range from scholarly works to popular works. His other works include An Introduction to the New Testament, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism, The God Who Is There, and Gospel-Centered Ministry.
Dr. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two children. In his spare time, Dr. Carson enjoys reading, hiking, and woodworking.
The Intolerance of Tolerance
by D.A. Carson
[ Book Summary ]
| 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.
D.A. Carson is an emeritus professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is a founder and theologian-at-large of The Gospel Coalition. He has written many works that range from scholarly works to popular works. His other works include An Introduction to the New Testament, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism, The God Who Is There, and Gospel-Centered Ministry.
Dr. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two children. In his spare time, Dr. Carson enjoys reading, hiking, and woodworking.