Introduction. One of the most important elements of living in our “free” country is its climate of tolerance for differences in opinion. As Americans we have the “right” and the “freedom” to choose our own religious convictions based on Scripture with nothing to fear from those who disagree with us.
Such freedom gives each of us the right to own and read a Bible, study Scripture, draw our own conclusions, and live our life based upon them. In the history of the world such windows of freedom are very rare. One of our greatest blessings is our right to assemble, worship and serve God in the way we see best.
Such freedom gives each of us the right to own and read a Bible, study Scripture, draw our own conclusions, and live our life based upon them. In the history of the world such windows of freedom are very rare. One of our greatest blessings is our right to assemble, worship and serve God in the way we see best.
It is important to remember why we have such freedom. From the fall of Rome until the success of Martin Luther, most nations in Europe were firmly held under Roman Catholicism. Any conviction that differed from their teachings met with severe punishment or death. Many were burned at the stake or tortured. No differences in opinion were tolerated.
Though many sought to bring the Bible to the people by translating the Latin into the language of the common man, it was met with opposition, destruction and death. Martin Luther was able to change that in Germany, John Calvin and Ulric Zwingli in Switzerland, Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell in England, John Knox in Scotland, and many other unnamed but courageous men and women who stood up with their convictions and preached them boldly. Throughout the world, there was a wonderful awakening and a deep study of Scripture.
It appeared a new day had dawned and all men could study for themselves and draw their own conclusions. But in an amazing turn of events those freed from the tyranny of Rome set up their own rigid doctrines. Each country chose its own reformer and demanded all follow him. There was little religious tolerance from 1500-1600. Death was the result for many who refused to submit to the established religion wherever it was.
This is why many came to the new world of America. They sought the freedom to study the Scriptures for themselves, form their own convictions based upon their study, and then live in freedom with those convictions. The great difference in the new world was that each person was allowed the same freedom to study and draw their own conclusions without fear of death. As the new nation grew in power, tolerance for differing religious views was placed into our Constitution and Bill of Rights. This is the “freedom of religion” we all possess.
Through 1700-2000 this attitude did not lessen the power of conviction, nor the heat of debate. It only made it safe to share those convictions with those who differed and to seek to persuade by the Scriptures. Men zealously debated their differences in doctrine yet still lived in harmony. In this environment those with a love for truth thrived and grew. Though each group “thought” they were right and others were wrong, they turned the other cheek and sought by a good life and gentle persuasion to change minds. This is our blessed heritage and it greatly strengthened the country.
It is difficult to chart its beginning, but these attitudes have changed and our freedoms are threatened. It began with a loss of integrity where convictions evaporated into apathetic philosophy. As we moved from conviction based upon Scripture to “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere,” the study of Scripture as the objective standard of right and wrong has ceased for far too many people.
We now have many returning to “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25). Now there are many different views of what is right and what is wrong. Abortion, drugs, gambling, pornography, prostitution, and homosexuality have all become topics of tolerance. Scripture as an objective standard of right and wrong is seldom used to form judgments.
Instead of God’s inspired word telling Christians what is forbidden or permissible, members are telling churches what must be taught to keep them as members. Morals, doctrine, how to be saved, and how to worship are all up to the majority. Everything is tolerated by someone and everyone can find what they are looking for among the 1000's of churches today. In this climate it is not surprising that women preach when the Bible forbids it (1 Tim 2:1-15) and abortion is a choice to some and murder to others. Homosexuality is now a blessed union in some churches, but an abomination in others. Divorce is granted only for adultery in some churches while any reason is tolerated in others.
Conclusion. Today the only real intolerance is for those who still hold convictions and preach the Scripture as an absolute standard of good and evil or right and wrong. Be prepared for the fruits of these attitudes to continue growing. We already see those holding convictions based on Scripture being pressured, fined and jailed. A time may come when the same persecutions seen through the centuries will return to the new world where so many had fled to escape it. It has happened before and will happen again.
Though many sought to bring the Bible to the people by translating the Latin into the language of the common man, it was met with opposition, destruction and death. Martin Luther was able to change that in Germany, John Calvin and Ulric Zwingli in Switzerland, Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell in England, John Knox in Scotland, and many other unnamed but courageous men and women who stood up with their convictions and preached them boldly. Throughout the world, there was a wonderful awakening and a deep study of Scripture.
It appeared a new day had dawned and all men could study for themselves and draw their own conclusions. But in an amazing turn of events those freed from the tyranny of Rome set up their own rigid doctrines. Each country chose its own reformer and demanded all follow him. There was little religious tolerance from 1500-1600. Death was the result for many who refused to submit to the established religion wherever it was.
This is why many came to the new world of America. They sought the freedom to study the Scriptures for themselves, form their own convictions based upon their study, and then live in freedom with those convictions. The great difference in the new world was that each person was allowed the same freedom to study and draw their own conclusions without fear of death. As the new nation grew in power, tolerance for differing religious views was placed into our Constitution and Bill of Rights. This is the “freedom of religion” we all possess.
Through 1700-2000 this attitude did not lessen the power of conviction, nor the heat of debate. It only made it safe to share those convictions with those who differed and to seek to persuade by the Scriptures. Men zealously debated their differences in doctrine yet still lived in harmony. In this environment those with a love for truth thrived and grew. Though each group “thought” they were right and others were wrong, they turned the other cheek and sought by a good life and gentle persuasion to change minds. This is our blessed heritage and it greatly strengthened the country.
It is difficult to chart its beginning, but these attitudes have changed and our freedoms are threatened. It began with a loss of integrity where convictions evaporated into apathetic philosophy. As we moved from conviction based upon Scripture to “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere,” the study of Scripture as the objective standard of right and wrong has ceased for far too many people.
We now have many returning to “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25). Now there are many different views of what is right and what is wrong. Abortion, drugs, gambling, pornography, prostitution, and homosexuality have all become topics of tolerance. Scripture as an objective standard of right and wrong is seldom used to form judgments.
Instead of God’s inspired word telling Christians what is forbidden or permissible, members are telling churches what must be taught to keep them as members. Morals, doctrine, how to be saved, and how to worship are all up to the majority. Everything is tolerated by someone and everyone can find what they are looking for among the 1000's of churches today. In this climate it is not surprising that women preach when the Bible forbids it (1 Tim 2:1-15) and abortion is a choice to some and murder to others. Homosexuality is now a blessed union in some churches, but an abomination in others. Divorce is granted only for adultery in some churches while any reason is tolerated in others.
Conclusion. Today the only real intolerance is for those who still hold convictions and preach the Scripture as an absolute standard of good and evil or right and wrong. Be prepared for the fruits of these attitudes to continue growing. We already see those holding convictions based on Scripture being pressured, fined and jailed. A time may come when the same persecutions seen through the centuries will return to the new world where so many had fled to escape it. It has happened before and will happen again.
- That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient times before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after. Eccl 1:9-11