The Truth About Tolerance: Pluralism, Diversity and the Culture Wars

by Brad Stetson, Joseph G. Conti

Overview

We all want to be tolerant. No one wants to be intolerant. But does that mean we have to accept all truth claims as true? Does this virtue rule out having any strongly held moral convictions? In this book Brad Stetson and Joseph G. Conti explore the use and misuse of this important value in academic circles and popular media. They note that the pursuit of truth and the pursuit of tolerance are often taken to be mutually exclusive, and it ends with truth having to give way to tolerance. Stetson and Conti argue just the opposite: that true tolerance requires the pursuit of truth. In the end they demonstrate that Christian conviction about religious truth provides the only secure basis for a tolerant society which promotes truth seeking. Christians can contribute to civil debate without compromising their moral and spiritual convictions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830827879
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	02/28/2005
Edition description:	Special Edition
Pages:	207
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.48(d)

About the Author

Brad Stetson (Ph.D., social ethics, University of Southern California) is a writer and teaches at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.

Joseph G. Conti (Ph.D., social ethics, University of Southern California) is a writer and lectures in the comparative religion department at California State University—Fullerton.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface

Part I: Flashpoints in the Development of Tolerance
1. Two Preliminary Observations
2. Pre-Christian Contributions
3. Christian Contributions
4. The Enlightenment and Beyond

Part II: Truth and the Culture Wars
5. The Truth About Truth
6. Truth and Tolerance
7. American Secularism
8. Evangelical Christianity

Part III: The Truth About Tolerance
9. Twisted Tolerance and Double Standards
10. Christianity in the Crosshairs
11. Ten Truths of Tolerance 1
12. Ten Truths of Tolerance 2

Epilogue: Reflections on Evangelical Christian Witness Today
Select Bibliography
Notes
Index

What People are Saying About This

Douglas Groothuis

"Since the concept of tolerance is so abused and misunderstood today, this book is very pertinent. The authors wisely survey the social and political landscape and chart a Christian view of tolerance that is biblical and well informed. The book should make a significant contribution to the discourse and be of great help to many Christians desiring to make their voices heard in a winsome and genuinely tolerant manner."
— Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, Denver Seminary

Francis J. Beckwith

"Stetson and Conti address, with rigor and clarity, the use and misuse of the term tolerance in our popular culture. Too often what goes by the name tolerance is just another dogma with a smiley face. Stetson and Conti take the mask off, and enlighten us in the process."
— Francis J. Beckwith, Associate Professor, and Associate Director of the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University

J. Budziszewski

"Leftists would have us believe that a culture war is going on between tolerant secularists and intolerant Christians. Not so. As Stetson and Conti recognize, the conflict is really between two rival views of tolerance. One view is relativist--it says the best foundation for tolerance is not thinking you know anything. The other view is realist--it says you have to know something in order to judge what is tolerable. Guess who the real oppressors are. Not who you've been told; the relativist view of tolerance turns out to be authoritarianism in disguise. Great book; I hope it's read widely."
— J. Budziszewski, Professor of Government and Philosophy, University of Texas, and author of What We Can't Not Know: A Guide

Alvin J. Schmidt

"The pursuit of tolerance has become today's highest virtue. But Stetson and Conti show that today's promoters of tolerance--using an Orwellian doublespeak--are cleverly advancing an ideology that is itself intolerant. This book will inform and edify every reader."
— Alvin J. Schmidt, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Illinois College, author of Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization

R. Douglas Geivett

"We aren't as tolerant as we think we are--and genuine tolerance will emerge only when we no longer tolerate our many forms of pseudo-tolerance. Stetson and Conti demonstrate the need for a new culture of tolerance, where virtue governs our disagreements about the things that matter most. They've produced an astute commentary on contemporary culture, a rousing admonition to witness to truth with humility and respect, and an inspiring set of principles to guide the way."
— R. Douglas Geivett, Professor of Philosophy, Biola University, La Mirada, California

Editorial Reviews

"Stetson and Conti address, with rigor and clarity, the use and misuse of the term tolerance in our popular culture. Too often what goes by the name tolerance is just another dogma with a smiley face. Stetson and Conti take the mask off, and enlighten us in the process."

Francis J. Beckwith

"Leftists would have us believe that a culture war is going on between tolerant secularists and intolerant Christians. Not so. As Stetson and Conti recognize, the conflict is really between two rival views of tolerance. One view is relativist—it says the best foundation for tolerance is not thinking you know anything. The other view is realist—it says you have to know something in order to judge what is tolerable. Guess who the real oppressors are. Not who you've been told; the relativist view of tolerance turns out to be authoritarianism in disguise. Great book; I hope it's read widely."

J. Budziszewski

"Since the concept of tolerance is so abused and misunderstood today, this book is very pertinent. The authors wisely survey the social and political landscape and chart a Christian view of tolerance that is biblical and well informed. The book should make a significant contribution to the discourse and be of great help to many Christians desiring to make their voices heard in a winsome and genuinely tolerant manner."

Douglas Groothuis

"We aren't as tolerant as we think we are—and genuine tolerance will emerge only when we no longer tolerate our many forms of pseudo-tolerance. Stetson and Conti demonstrate the need for a new culture of tolerance, where virtue governs our disagreements about the things that matter most. They've produced an astute commentary on contemporary culture, a rousing admonition to witness to truth with humility and respect, and an inspiring set of principles to guide the way."

R. Douglas Geivett

"The pursuit of tolerance has become today's highest virtue. But Stetson and Conti show that today's promoters of tolerance—using an Orwellian doublespeak—are cleverly advancing an ideology that is itself intolerant. This book will inform and edify every reader."

Alvin J. Schmidt

The authors sound a call for their readers to engage in genuine tolerance, a tolerance that more accurately reflects the ideals of Jesus Christ. If the reader genuinely cares about other people, this is a must read.

Ronald Gary Belsterling