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The Intolerance Of Tolerance (2012)

by D.A. Carson(Favorite Author)

4.28 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0802831702 (ISBN13: 9780802831705)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

review 1: When I saw this book on the shelf the first words out of my mouth were. “Wow this sounds deep.” And it was. Usually it takes me a chapter or two to get into the mind of the author. It wasn't until the second reading that I really felt a connection.The author discusses a shift in the way we understand the meaning of tolerance. He begins with reviewing multiple definitions from various dictionaries. He explains how the verb usage of “to tolerate” has become obsolete. This leaves the noun “tolerance” in its place as the popular understanding. In short he describes the shift as being subtle. We have shifted from “accepting existence of different views” to “acceptance of different views. The former maintains that an individual has the right to voice their beli... moreef in the public square. The apposing view has their time to voice disagreement in the public square as well, while still maintaining a position of tolerance. It is through these discussions that truth is revealed. The latter still maintains that an individual has the right to voice their belief in the public square. However the voice that disagrees is silenced and labeled as intolerant. So the new tolerance mandates that disagreeing with someone’s belief is not permitted, at least in a public setting. So in a sense it disagrees with a person’s belief that people should be allowed to disagree. Wouldn't that render them intolerant by their own definition?The author discuses the effects this shift has had on culture, politics, education and the church, as well as the history behind this new understanding. He explains how many view this new tolerance as the moral high ground or the most superior virtue one could posses.And now for some personal introspect. If you are easily offended you my want to look away and cover your ears. The following views do not necessarily reflect the views of the author.I believe there are many who can be labeled as intolerant by either definition. Even, dare I say it, some professed Christians. It makes it difficult to argue that Christians are not intolerant when some actually are. We can easily become dogmatic about our personal opinions. Those opinions, lets face it, don’t always reflect biblical truth. Be careful not to fall into that trap.What I don’t understand though is how people can rally behind a position without fully understanding it. They base their beliefs on what they hear someone profess on television or radio without investigating it for themselves. Their only defense is repeating what they have heard regardless of how ignorant that defense is. We are increasingly losing our ability to think for ourselves. It would appear assuming the position that absolute truth can not be known. You also have to accept the belief that wisdom and knowledge are something that cannot be sought out or obtained either. (I am trying really hard to be polite here.)The best example I can give is the one the author provides. “Under the aegis of this new tolerance, no absolutism is permitted, except for the absolute prohibition of absolutism.” WHAT! That doesn't even make sense. That statement is self-refuting. Yet many folks rally around this position as if they were standing on the intellectual and moral high ground.Okay enough. I have a lot more to say regarding this topic. I’ll stop now. I know there are many blogs out there more suited for this type of discussion. Please forgive me. I would encourage everyone to read this book, especially if you view yourself as being a very tolerant person.
review 2: D.A. Carson does a beautiful job of critiquing our current culture’s politically correct agenda that insists on a tolerance that is really intolerant. He defines the old tolerance and the new tolerance. He notes that the old tolerance is still defined on Encarta in a search for the verb “to tolerate” it includes “ACCEPT EXISTENCE OF DIFFERENT VIEWS to recognize other people’s right to have different beliefs or practices without an attempt to suppress them…. When we turn to Encarta’s treatment of the corresponding noun ‘tolerance’ however, a subtle change appears: 1. ACCEPTANCE OF DIFFERENT VIEWS the accepting of the differing views of other people, e.g., in religious and political matters, and fairness toward the people who hold these views.” (pg 3) In other words, the new tolerance requires the belief that other views are as true as your own. And you are intolerant if you don’t agree.Carson details the history of tolerance and gives numerous examples of the new tolerance’s intolerance. For example, the Boy Scouts of America have endured pressure and many law suits for two decades to admit girls, to admit atheists, and to allow avowed homosexuals to serve in leadership. The Supreme Court rulled in their favor – yet the fight continues led by the ACLU and gay rights groups.Carson elaborates on the above issues and more. As Christians we need to understand the intolerance of tolerance so we can speak up winsomely and entice others to face the moral problems this causes in our culture. I’m including a few quotations further inform the readers of this review. “Muslim thought runs along quite different lines to Christian wrestlings over the relationship between church and state. Where Muslims are in control, Muslim thought about non-Muslims in the society is quite clear. The choices are three: kill them (under certain circumstances) convert them, or dhimmitude.” (lower status.) Pg 119“While the secularist wants all other religions to retreat into the private sphere, he or she insists that secularists have the right to control the public sphere because they are right – completely unaware that they are trying to impose their worldview on others who disagree with it.” Pg 120“Relativism is the view that no one standard of true and false, right and wrong, good and bad, beautiful and ugly exists that is valid for everyone.” Pg 132“The new tolerance swamps penetrating discussion about truth and morality: tolerance is widely perceived to be more important and more enduring than either. The result is a greater tendency to believe lies and to come adrift in immorality.” Pg 138 less

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