Intolerance, Apologetics, and Evangelism
The allegation that evangelism and missions are examples of intolerance
and bigotry that could lead to hate crimes against "non-traditional" religions
is not a struggle limited to the Southern Baptist Convention. It is a phenomenon
that may become all too common in the months and years ahead and it poses
serious challenges to evangelical churches, mission agencies and ministries
that seek to evangelize in general, but especially for those individuals
and groups that seeks to reach those in non-Christian religions.
The Problem of Postmodernism
The foundation for the evangelistic challenges we face is due to a system
of thought known as postmodernism. With this contemporary "spirit of the
age" opinion polls demonstrate that an overwhelming number of Americans
are interested in spirituality, but in one that is radically individualistic
and subjective. In fact, postmodernists believe that "truth," especially
religious truth, is created by the individual, with whether or not a spirituality
"works" being the primary factor in determining religious choice. With
this emphasis on the subjective it is not surprising that our postmodern
culture values inclusiveness and tolerance as two primary virtues. By contrast,
to be exclusive and intolerant is to exercise the two cardinal sins of
postmodern religious culture.
This sentiment was demonstrated when the advice columnist known as "Dear
Abby," responded to a letter where a family was grappling with religious
controversy. The writer admonished Abby's for her advice and stated, "You
could have suggested she learn enough about her relatives' cult to show
them the errors contained in its teachings." Abby replied, "In my view,
the height of arrogance is to attempt to show people the 'errors' in the
religion of their choice."1
Intolerance used to refer to bigotry or prejudice against those who
were different from someone simply because of who they were by virtue of
differing characteristics such as race or ethnicity. Now intolerance is
defined as simply questioning the legitimacy or truthfulness of another's
religious views. Those who do so have allegedly made the mistake of assuming
that subjective religious "truth" should be objectively true for everyone
else. Those who hold that truth is objective and universal, and that some
religious views are not true, are labeled as fundamentalists. These fundamentalists
are considered dangerous by postmoderns because such "totalistic" thinking
allegedly lends itself to not only devaluing the person who holds religious
ideas with which we might disagree, but also opens the door to oppression
of marginalized groups by those in power in a given culture.
Christian Exclusivism
Christianity is an exclusive faith. Jesus made unique truth claims and
insisted that one's eternal destiny and relationship with God depended
upon a relationship with Him (Jn. 14:6). The gospel of Jesus' atoning death,
burial and resurrection is good news for all persons, including those in
the myriad of non-Christian religions and philosophies. But given the impact
of postmodern thinking, Christians who seek to share their faith with those
in cults and New Religions can expect increasing resistance, and with it,
allegations of bigotry and intolerance.
Watchman Controversy
Watchman Fellowship recently experienced controversy from a series of meetings
in North Carolina. The Arlington, Texas office was leading a Cult
Awareness Crusade at two churches in Winston-Salem. The local newspaper,
the Winston-Salem Journal, ran a story about the seminar, which
created a firestorm of controversy in the community. An abbreviated version
was distributed by the Associated Press and received major circulation
in newspapers throughout the United States including the Washington
Post. Local representatives from the Watchtower
Bible and Tract Society and the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed dismay with the presentations
and the characterization that their groups are cults and not representative
of Christianity. It will not take
long before such groups work together, as representatives of world religions
such as Islam and Judaism
have, to label such educational and evangelistic outreaches as intolerant
acts that could lead to hate crimes against members of minority religions.
1 "Deciding Whether to Discuss Religion
Prompts Debate," in "Dear Abby," September 19, 1989, quoted in Dennis McCallum,
The Death of Truth (Minneapolis, Mn: Bethany, 1996), pp. 199-200.
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Douglas Moo, General Editor
The Bible Forum Series, Volume 2-The Gospel is God's revelation and
His purpose through Jesus Christ. The first five chapters challenge the
suppositions of the Health and Wealth gospel within the church. The latter
essays provide intellectuals tools for discourse with neo-pagans, Universalists
and pluralists, 202 pgs., Endnotes. $15. |
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