Yesterday I listened to a fascinating conversation between D. A. Carson and R. Albert Mohler on the topic of tolerance. You can get the podcast here or read the transcript here. During their conversation Mohler and Carson noted that the traditional view of tolerance—that room should be made in the public square for all view points and it is okay to disagree—has been highjacked by the modern view of tolerance—that your view will be accepted in the public square as long as it does not offend anyone. They point out that the modern understanding of tolerance is intellectually inconsistent and morally bankrupt because it says that we will tolerate you as long as you agree with our view of tolerance. If a person enters public discourse with an exclusive truth claim, then that person will not be tolerated. In other words, the people preaching tolerance are only tolerant of those people who have their view of tolerance. This conversation is an important one because it is getting right at the heart of a Christian’s right to participate in public discourse. If the modern view of tolerance carries the day, then a time is coming when Christians could be prosecuted and even imprisoned for their beliefs. Christians should continue to fight to reclaim a traditional understanding of tolerance and discourse. Carson and Mohler address all of these issues and so much more. Give it a listen.
