Author: scottjacobsen

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From a Bible study sometime in 2005, on Tolerance

Holyoake’s 1896 publication English Secularism defines secularism thus:
Secularism is a code of duty pertaining to this life, founded on considerations purely human, and intended mainly for those who find theology indefinite or inadequate, unreliable or unbelievable. Its essential principles are three: (1) The improvement of this life by material means. (2) That science is the available Providence of man. (3) That it is good to do good. Whether there be other good or not, the good of the present life is good, and it is good to seek that good.
Define Tolerance as it is expressed today.
1. Tolerance is always from a superior to an inferior
2. Tolerance speaks of “giving rights” to others, rather than understanding rights are not one’s to give, but to acknowledge
3. Tolerance is changing
4. Tolerance by nature limits Christian expression
5. Tolerance is a myth, a smokescreen to hide opposition to religion and to place limits upon it.
Define Freedom
1. Freedom is independent from the state
2. Freedom is enjoyed, but may be removed by the government
3. Freedom is not a Condition for the operation of the Christian Faith
a.Christians under Nero were not free
b.Christian in many persecuted lands are not free
c.Real freedom comes only from Christ –John 8:32, 33
d.Christians are obligated to be faithful in spite of freedom or bondage
Are they the same?
1. Tolerance often is advanced as kindness or patience, and this is good–but it is not the idea behind tolerance.
2. No serious Christian is arguing for the right to be mean and cruel, but the definition of what is acceptable speech and behaviour is not up to the culture.
1. “Jesus is the only way to God.” (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Is this tolerant or intolerant? Can someone say this without meaning harm to those of other religions? Why or why not?
2. Is disagreeing with someone necessarily harmful to them?
3. Is it possible to believe that your beliefs are true only?
4. “I believe that all religions are equally true.” Is that a tolerant statement? Does this view really tolerate all other views?
5. How does Acts 5:29 fit with tolerance?
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An Old Word on Modern Education

 

Robert Lewis Dabney

Robert Lewis Dabney (March 5, 1820 – January 3, 1898) was an American Christian theologian, Southern Presbyterian pastor, Confederate States Army chaplain, and architect. He was also chief of staff and biographer to Stonewall Jackson. His biography of Jackson remains in print today.

Read his booklet on education here.

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It’s an Abomination

 

It might surprise you to learn that God doesn’t use the word abomination frequently, and certainly not lightly. Unclean foods, for example, are not called an abomination, but unclean. In the New Testament, all foods are clean and permissible (Mark 7:19, Luke 11:41; Acts 10:15; Acts 11:9). Abomination is arguably the strongest term possible for the kind of sin that is without exception, the most offensive to God (for a complete list, click here). This list is eye-opening, but I want to look at only on abomination: injustice.

Look at (Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:10, Proverbs 20:23; Leviticus 19:35-36). It is the responsibility of magistrates, indeed all people, to demand equality before the law. When the police, politicians, and judges do not treat each individually the same, it is an abomination before God. We have become so used to this that we hardly notice win the Jonkers are singled out for alleged crimes that are being committed by others on this very day: federal workers are on strike and blocking taxpayers’ entrance to government buildings; the darlings of the NDP, Antifa, routinely through tantrums at events they deem hateful and acting with violence to all who might oppose them; we all know of the chaos in Caledonia created several times where the city was cut in half by aboriginal protesters; climate cultists often block rail lines and roads.

In all of these, few if any face any criminal charges.

The problem of partiality and unequal weights is that it divides people into approved, favoured, and righteous groups from the unapproved, unclean, undeserving, deplorables. This is acceptable from the Prime Minister all the way down to local governments and school boards. This injustice is ironically committed in the name of justice. It is the essence of Critical Race Theory (CRT).

Justice is no longer directed toward the individual, but to the group to which the individual belongs. Harold Jonker and others belong to the out group so he will be singled out for criminal charges, while others are allowed to continue in their criminal behaviour. The Canadian state-subsidized (state-owned) media will cheer for his prosecution.

This is truly a national abomination, and God, who never shows partiality, will judge it. The list of verses that give examples of abominations is 10 pages long, but if you read them you will soon realise that many repeat or re-emphasize particular sins: idolatry, occult involvement, homosexuality, human sacrifice, cross-dressing, and a few more. Unequal Weights (partiality before the law, injustice) ranks among these gross sins. It is far too easy for the Christian to think, “That’s too bad—he’s not getting a fair shake while others are getting away with it.” It far worse than Jonker not getting a fair hearing, it is the kind of world-view failure that will bring down a nation. May it be so, and quickly.