Can you be dogmatic?

January 2, 2008

I am thinking out loud as I write this. (Actually, I guess I am thinking in print but you know what I mean.) Here is what I am thinking- “What’s up with all this business about tolerance and openness and statements like ‘You can’t be dogmatic’?” I don’t know if you have been listening lately but there seems to be no shortage of voices from media, academia, and sadly, even religious circles that tout tolerance as the greatest virtue. The Associated Press and MTV conducted an extensive survey among young people age 13-24. You can read the article by going to HERE. Here are a few quotes from the article. When it comes to spirituality, American young people also are remarkably tolerant -- nearly 7 in 10 say that while they follow their own religious or spiritual beliefs, others might be true as well. Sixty-eight percent agree with the statement, "I follow my own religious and spiritual beliefs, but I think that other religious beliefs could be true as well." Thirty-one percent choose, "I strongly believe that my religious beliefs are true and universal, and that other religious beliefs are not right."One 14 year old stated, “I believe whatever you believe is true to you and it really shouldn't matter what other people think.”Think about that. Almost 75% are saying in essence, “I have my beliefs, but whatever you believe could also be true.”There is an incredible danger to this reasoning. Why? If those who stand behind the pulpit and those who sit in the pew start to buy into this view of tolerance we will step on to a slippery slope from which recovery of balance will be nearly impossible. Fundamentally, there will cease to be Biblical absolutes; the natural consequence being chaos. We will become like the people in the history of Israel where “…everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” I plead with Christians to adhere to the Word of God. Jesus was emphatic about truth. (“…Thy Word is truth.” John 17:17.) We can not afford to buy into the views stated above in the USA Today article. Standing on the truth of God’s Word is not intolerant. Rather, it is more essential than ever. In 2008 determine that you will be one, regardless of the shift in culture, that applies Biblical truth to your values. And, I would add, be one that stands for Biblical truth as the only truth.