We are living in an age of redefinition (or at least, attempted redefinition).  Over the past several years, we’ve watched modern, western culture redefine morality, marriage, and even gender.  As age-old concepts are redefined in the public’s eye, there has been another key alteration – the redefinition of tolerance.  As agendas have been pushed, those that oppose the change are immediately slapped with the label of intolerance.  When someone stands for a traditional view of marriage, they are said to be bigot.  When anyone denies that a man can be a woman or a woman a man, they are transphobic.  Essentially, any person that does not agree with, celebrate, and promote the leftist agenda and their redefinition process has been indicted of the worst possible crime – intolerance.  Ironically, however, the most intolerant people seem to be those accusing everyone else of intolerance.  This phenomenon is the subject of a book by D. A. Carson entitled, The Intolerance of Tolerance.

Carson’s book addresses a very real issue that is only getting worse.  Carson wrote the book in 2012, but with each passing year the book becomes more pertinent.  I found the book to be a very interesting read, but more importantly I found it to be helpful and encouraging.

Through the first three chapters, Carson establishes the premise of his work, and sets the context for what has taken place in western culture.  He articulates what tolerance used to mean (what he calls “the old tolerance”) and explains what it has been redefined as (“the new tolerance”).  This foundation is important because he shows throughout the book that “new tolerance” is anything but tolerant, and if it continues, could lead to intolerance that hasn’t been seen in western culture for centuries.  Carson also traces the history of tolerance and intolerance, to help us see where we’ve come and where we are currently heading.  He provides several examples (many more could be included over the past few years) that demonstrate how truly intolerant the “new tolerance” crowd has become.  Instead of tolerating differing viewpoints and seeking answers through debate and discussion, many now simply seek to silence their opponents in various ways (labelling opponents as bigots, lawsuits, etc.).  In chapter four, Carson shows the inconsistency and hypocrisy of the “new tolerance” crowd.

While interesting and very well-articulated, the first four chapters cover what most Christian’s already recognize and bemoan.  Where the book really shines though is through the last half.  This is where Carson addresses the topics of truth, the Church, and how we move forward.

In Chapter five, Carson discusses “The Church and Christian Truth Claims.”  This type of material is sorely needed not just in society, but in the religious world as well.  Relativism hasn’t only wreaked havoc on society – it has greatly impacted religion too.  Carson develops important themes in this chapter.  He demonstrates that “truth-claims” are not automatically intolerant.  One can follow truth, and thus disagree with others, but disagreement does not equate to intolerance.  He also demonstrates, particularly from John’s gospel, that abiding by absolute truth does not negate love.  On the contrary, truth and love coexist harmoniously in the true follower of Christ.  This is what leads Christians to evangelize – not to push an agenda, but to lovingly warn those that are lost.

Chapter six discusses the ineffectiveness of the “new tolerance” to stamp out evil, and chapter seven is an interesting discourse on democracy and “majoritarianism.”  That might sound boring, but Carson makes some excellent points all Christians need to understand.  He reminds us that as wonderful as democracy is, the Christian does not place their hope in any government of man, even American democracy.  He astutely observes,

…democracy, however conceived, guarantees neither truth nor morality…a thoughtful Christian cannot possibly elevate democracy to the supreme value…No Christian should ever succumb to the idolatrous notion that the right party will bring in utopia.  That is not where our ultimate confidence lies.

I say “amen” to that.  Because government is not the answer, Carson ends chapter seven with the question, “So where do we go from here?”  This leads to the final chapter, wherein he provides ten ways in which Christians respond to the intolerance of the “new tolerance” crowd.

Chapter eight was by far my favorite, and as much as I enjoyed the whole book, the final chapter is the gem of the entire work.  If the only chapter a person read from this book was the final chapter, they would still be greatly benefited.  I won’t rehash the chapter here, as I hope you’ll read it for yourself.  A few highlights though, are that Carson discusses the importance of our attitude, and the importance of our willingness to speak up and share the Gospel.  Now is not the time for Christians to lose their cool because they are tired of what is happening to our culture.  It’s more important than ever that we be meek and humble as we teach the truth.  And we need to teach the truth, because neither is it the time for us to be quiet, even though we face growing opposition for teaching the truth.  Most of all, it is important that we remember what is truly important; serving God and saving souls, no matter the cost.  We must realize that we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven above all else.  While we may hope the best for our country, and we may rightly pray for our leaders and our country, the direction this country takes is ultimately unimportant.  We are not preaching the Gospel to make America a better place.  Maybe that is the result, maybe it isn’t.  We preach the gospel to save souls and glorify God.  As Carson eloquently states, “God is not establishing a democratic republic, but an eternal kingdom in a new heaven and a new earth.”  What a beautiful reminder!  Knowing this, we can have a confident and joyful attitude, no matter what happens in this country.  Even if the worst happens and Christians become persecuted in the future, we should face such treatment with, “…quiet joy, not because we are masochists, but because it is such a privilege to be associated with the name of Jesus.”  Thus, Carson’s final point is that our ultimate response is simply to delight in and trust in God.  Maybe things will change in this country. Maybe they won’t.  Whatever happens, we can trust in God as the Sovereign Lord of all, and trust in Him and His Word.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend it, especially if you are struggling with the culture of intolerant “tolerance” in western society today and how Christians should respond.  I hope if you read it, it will encourage you as much as it did me.  The paperback version can be purchased from Amazon for $10.71 or Christianbook.com for $8.99.

Author: D. A. Carson
Publisher: William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company
Originally Published: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8028-6940-1

Book review by Nate Bibens, natebibens@gmail.com