Beauty of Intolerance

Josh Mcdowell

Description

Today's message of cultural acceptance is dangerously distorted and deceptive. In a world that shouts: 'If you truly care about other people, you must agree that their beliefs, values, lifestyle, and truth claims are equal and as valid as yours!' it's no wonder our youth are confused. The Beauty of Intolerance-brand-new from Josh McDowell with son Sean McDowell-cuts through the confusion and points readers back to the place where the only truth resides...Jesus Christ. Tied directly to the Heroic Truth initiative launched by the Josh McDowell Ministry, the McDowells will share how a biblical view of truth can counter cultural tolerance and encourage a love and acceptance of others apart from their actions with a heart of Christlike compassion.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Lion Hudson
• Date de parution: 20 mai 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780857217646
• Langue: English

Extrait

P RAISE FOR T HE B EAUTY OF I NTOLERANCE
Here s a timely message-clearly presented, creatively explained, effectively argued, and lovingly offered as an antidote to the confusion so many people feel about this vital topic.
-Lee Strobel, bestselling author and professor, Houston Baptist University
There is incredible confusion over the nature of tolerance. Should we be tolerant? Intolerant? The McDowells provide valuable insight, compelling stories, and practical steps for seeing through the cultural confusion so you can lovingly stand for truth.
-David Limbaugh, lawyer and author of The Emmaus Code
The Beauty of Intolerance is perhaps the most needed book in the library of lives around the world second only to the Bible. Unlike some teaching, preaching, and cults, all roads do not lead to heaven but actually to hell. We can coexist on Earth, but apart from the shed blood of Christ and repentance of sin, we will not coexist in heaven. Josh and Sean have penned a game-changer because they didn t change the Word. Yes, intolerance is beautiful but misleading the masses is beyond ugly. May millions read this book and fall in love with The Book [Bible].
-Frank Shelton, author, Washington, DC field rep, MY HOPE with Billy Graham & evangelist, Waldorf, MD
THE BEAUTY OF INTOLERANCE
SETTING A GENERATION FREE TO KNOW TRUTH & LOVE
JOSH MCDOWELL SEAN MCDOWELL

Oxford, UK, & Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Copyright 2016 by Josh McDowell Ministry, a dba of Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. and Sean McDowell Originally published in 2016 by Barbour Publishing, Inc., in the USA.
The right of Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This edition published by Monarch Books an imprint of Lion Hudson plc Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Road, Oxford OX2 8DR, England Email: [e-mail] www.lionhudson.com/monarch
This English-language edition issued by special arrangement with Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719 Uhrichsville, Ohio, U.S.A.
ISBN 978 0 85721 763 9 e-ISBN 978 0 85721 764 6
Acknowledgments All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version , copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version . Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked tlb are taken from The Living Bible 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cover design: Faceout Studio, www.faceoutstudio.com
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
D EDICATION
Dad, thanks for not only defending truth but also for modelling what it means to love those with whom we significantly disagree. You taught me true tolerance in your actions and your words.
-S EAN
A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to recognize the following individuals for their valuable contribution to this book.
Troy Peiffer, for all the valuable research he provided to us on this project.
Matthew Anderson, Jason Carlson, and Amy Hall, for reviewing the manuscript and providing valuable insight. Each of you helped to significantly improve the quality and clarity of this book.
Tom Williams, for editing the manuscript and applying his valuable insights, wordsmithing skills, and passionate heart to help make these words come alive on the printed page.
Don Kencke, for reviewing the manuscript and providing insightful guidance.
Amanda Price, for editing the manuscript to bring the book to completion.
And last but not least, we are grateful to the team at Barbour Publishing for having a vision for this project and partnering with us to make it a success.
Josh McDowell Sean McDowell
C ONTENTS

1. True for You but Not for Me

2. When Tolerance Doesn t Mean Tolerance

3. The Irony: Intolerance in the Name of Tolerance

4. When Anything Goes

5. Love Makes It Right

6. True Love

7. Know the Truth and Speak It in Love

8. Cultural Tolerance and Education

9. Cultural Tolerance and the Government

10. Cultural Tolerance and Society

11. Cultural Tolerance and the Church

12. You Can Make a Difference

Study Guide

Notes

About the Authors
C HAPTER 1
TRUE FOR YOU BUT NOT FOR ME

You ll love him, Mom, Renee gushed on her visit home from her second year in college. He s so considerate, he s smart and he s really good looking.
Teri smiled. That s great, honey, she said. What s he majoring in?
Business management, just like me.
That s good. Does he have your same church background, too?
Mom, Renee responded with a tinge of irritation in her voice. Let s not get into church stuff again.
I m not, Teri protested. I just wanted to know if he shares our family s values, that s all.
Tony doesn t go to church, okay? Renee stated outright. He s not an atheist or anything; he s just not into church and religious stuff.
Who s not into religious stuff? The voice was that of Renee s father, Kenton, who had just walked into the room.
Renee was just telling me about her new friend, Tony, Teri replied. She said he isn t into church.
What is he, an atheist? Kenton asked.
Come on, you guys, Renee retorted, sounding even more irritated. Tony s a great guy! Whether he goes to church or not isn t an issue with me.
Well, it is with me, Kenton said firmly.
Look, Dad, Renee began, I don t want to get into this discussion right now, okay? Because Tony and I don t believe just like you guys, that doesn t make us bad.
Honey, no one is saying you re bad, Teri responded, trying to temper the rising tension in the conversation. What your dad and I want is for you to be happy and not get hurt, that s all. But -she raised her hand like a policeman stopping traffic to silence Renee s inevitable retort- let s move on. So when can we meet Tony, anyway?
Actually, we were hoping we could both come here for Christmas break-not for the entire two weeks, of course. We want to spend part of it with his parents, too. But at least long enough that you can get to know each other.
That s a wonderful idea, honey. Your dad and I would love it. Just let us know ahead of time which days you ll be here, and I ll have the guest room ready.
Renee hesitated. Sure, Mom. But- She took a deep breath. Well, like, is the guest room really necessary? I was thinking we could just stay in my room together.
Teri s eyes went wide with shock, but Kenton responded first. Don t be silly. You can t do that. You know it s not right.
I thought you d say that, Renee responded. I explained to Tony how you and Mom feel about that sort of thing, but I promised to talk to you about it anyway. I don t see why you can t just accept my lifestyle choices and me. But don t worry. We ll respect your feelings and sleep in separate rooms while we re here.
Teri s heart pounded like drums. While you re here? Her voice went high and shrill. What do you mean while you re here ? Are you trying to tell us that you two intend to sleep together when you re not here?
We already do, Mom. We re in love. You don t really expect us to-
Kenton interrupted. I expect you to honour the morals and values your mother and I have taught you all your life.
I do, Renee countered. That s why I agreed that we would sleep in separate rooms while we re here. But at Tony s house or at school, it s different.
Kenton tried to keep his composure. Are you trying to tell me that Tony s parents have no problem with your sleeping together at their house?
No, Dad, they don t. After all, not everyone shares your views on that sort of thing, you know.
Kenton shook his head. I know that, he said, trying to rein in his emotions. But I certainly thought our daughter did share them.
Renee took a deep breath and spoke in a softer tone. Dad, in many ways I do share your views. You and Mom have taught me a lot. But there are some things I have to decide for myself. What you guys decided to do before you got married was your choice. I ve made my choice, and I wish you guys could respect that and not judge me. In fact, I wish you could see that these choices are just as right for me as yours were for you.
Kenton shook his head slowly. Teri stifled a sob. I love you, honey, she said. I just don t see how you can so easily abandon the values we raised you with.
WHY THEY CAN T AGREE
Renee s parents want her to do what s right. But as far as Renee is concerned, she is doing what s right. She acknowledges that h