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Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

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Home Bible Reflection The right to believe anything

The right to believe anything

Posted on January 15, 2021 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


Recently I read this:

“The right to believe anything does not mean that anything anyone believes is right. The former is freedom of conscience and must always be respected unconditionally; the latter idea is nonsense and must often be opposed . . .”

Os Guinness – Unspeakable – Facing Up to the Challenge of Evil

I’d like to make a a two points in response.

First, we Christians should acknowledge that the church has often gotten it wrong concerning the proper application of tolerance. At times we have deserved the criticism that we are intolerant because of the way we have behaved toward those with whom we disagree.

We have proved to be quick to apply labels and put people into categories that diminish the respect that they are due as image-bearers of the God we claim to worship. We have lumped people into a faceless enemy rather than seeing them as ones whom God loves and wants to be in relationship with.

But, on the other hand, we do need to oppose ideas when they are untrue. The law of non-contradiction requires us to acknowledge that two mutually exclusive things cannot both be true.

So while we should always be loving toward those who disagree with what we believe, we also need to be clear about the distinction between what is true and what is false. We should also do our best to be able to explain why we make the distinction.

If you are encouraged by this post or would like to make a comment, please use the comment form below to offer your feedback. I enjoy hearing from you.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

I have the opportunity to go to Istanbul, Turkey this summer to minister to Syrian refugees. If you would like more details about this trip, please use this link Mark McIntyre - Istanbul, Turkey Please note that this trip is fully funded, but I would appreciate your continued prayer. The trip will take place June 27 - July 6, 2025.

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