{"id":305,"date":"2016-11-12T23:33:35","date_gmt":"2016-11-13T01:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geovanesou.com\/index.php\/2016\/11\/12\/tolerancia-e-intolerancia-no-cristianismo\/"},"modified":"2016-11-12T23:33:35","modified_gmt":"2016-11-13T01:33:35","slug":"tolerance-and-intolerance-in-christianity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/piorevangelho.online\/en\/tolerancia-e-intolerancia-no-cristianismo\/","title":{"rendered":"Tolerance and Intolerance in Christianity"},"content":{"rendered":"

We live in a nation where all those who steal and kill are \u201cvictims of society\u201d and should not be deprived of their freedom because \u201cprison only worsens\u201d their condition\u2026
On the other hand, anyone who doesn't conform to the widespread degradation that is rapidly engulfing society becomes INTOLERANT and, therefore, deserves to go\u2014how curious!\u2014to jail!
There is no doubt that we are living through very difficult times\u2026 and, without wanting to create illusions, the prophecies of Scripture indicate that IT WILL GET WORSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

SPIRITUAL REALM<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately for some\u2014and unfortunately for others\u2014the foundation of the Christian faith is always clear and solid, allowing no doubt or compromise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jesus said to him:
I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
NOBODY HE COMES<\/span> To the Father, if not through me.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(John 14:6)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to the translation found in the Catholic version, if we look at the original Greek texts we can see that by using the term "come," Jesus Christ both assumes the role of God and, at the same time, takes upon himself the greatest responsibility in the history of humanity, excluding any possibility, however small, that any other SPIRITUAL paths could even come close to being a valid way to access the true God\u2026 sad but true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To complicate matters further, I had previously made it quite clear that the "go if you want" policy does not work in the Christian model:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NOBODY<\/span> You can come to me,
IF THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DOES NOT BRING HIM<\/span>;
And I will raise him up on the last day.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(John 6:44)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Considering that in the Bible organic life is distinct from spiritual life, this ends up turning many, even a good number of those who call themselves "Christians"\u2014whether evangelical or Catholic\u2014into a real "dead weight":<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Not everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven.,
But he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?\u2019
And in your name we did not cast out demons?
And in your name we did not perform many miracles?
And then I will tell them plainly: I never knew you;
Depart from me, you who practice iniquity.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(Matthew 7:21\u201323)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Let's add to that the passage that dismantles any pretense of applying the concept of meritocracy to the spiritual realm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For by grace you have been saved through faith;
And this does not come from you; it is the gift of God.
It doesn't come from the works, SO WHAT NOBODY<\/span> GLORY YOURSELF.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(Ephesians 2:8\u20139)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And another reference regarding the only valid path for both accessing and practicing the only faith considered valid and genuine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But not all have obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says:
Lord, who has believed our message?
So then, faith comes by hearing.,
And hearing through the word of God.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(Romans 10:16\u201317)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, we can conclude that the Christian faith exists in opposition to many of the simplistic concepts painstakingly implemented by humanity over the years, because while it allows access to anyone\u2014regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or social class\u2014it is absolutely explicit and rigid in its precepts, excluding not only anyone who is deliberately outside of it, but also, and even, many of those who claim to be within it!
I.e:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christianity is ABSOLUTELY INCLUSIVE in that it EXCLUDES ANYONE AND EVERYONE who does not follow it according to strict biblical precepts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that this applies only to spiritual life and in relation to salvation, because, without contradicting itself, the Bible instructs those who are able to follow it to\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOCIAL SCOPE<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To lead a completely peaceful and tolerant life, treating all those who are not Christians with normality and respect, and, surprisingly (to some), JUDGING<\/a> and distancing oneself from some who claim to be Christians:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people\u2014not meaning the sexually immoral people of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of this world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who\u2026, Claiming to be a brother<\/span>, for debauched, or greedy, or idolater, or slanderer, or drunkard, or thief; WITH SUCH DO NOT EVEN EAT<\/span>.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(1\u02e2\u1d57 Corinthians 5:9\u201311)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eat whatever is sold in the butcher shop without raising questions of conscience, for \u201cthe earth is the Lord\u2019s, and everything in it.\u201d.
If any of the unbelievers invite you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
But if someone tells you, \u2018This has been offered in sacrifice to idols,\u2019 do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.;
For the earth is the Lord\u2019s, and everything in it.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(1\u02e2\u1d57 Corinthians 10:25\u201328)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In this second passage there is only a spiritual warning: if you are aware that something is part of a cult offered to another god, then by taking part in it (or consuming it) you are acquiescing and, even if indirectly, also bowing down (worshipping) to that other entity\u2026 and about that there is no doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above, or on the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(Exodus 20:3\u20135)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Finally, avoiding worship of any other god, it is enough for a Christian to live their life doing good whenever possible and, above all, never denying their faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, Have peace with all men.<\/span>.<\/span>
Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God\u2019s wrath, for it is written:<\/span>
"Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.".<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n(Romans 12:18\u201319)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

At worst, if the conversation turns into an argument with a person in a state of absolute rebellion against God and (everything He inspired men to record in) His Word, there is this final piece of advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To the heretical man, after one admonition and then another, AVOID IT<\/span>,<\/span>
knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n(Titus 3:10\u201311)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, many "Christians" are completely unaware of this passage and, wanting to FORCE THEIR PERSPECTIVE, end up playing the role of intolerant, offensive, and conflict-creating individuals.
Ultimately, this only serves to denigrate the true gospel\u2026 and unfortunately we have witnessed some famous preachers acting in this arrogant way, making them, despite all their fame, the worst detractors of the faith they profess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE PROBLEM<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reason is that the Word of God is also prophetic and under no circumstances can it fail to be fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(Matthew 24:21)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And it also describes some characteristics of that era:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for the good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Of these GET AWAY<\/span>.
For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women burdened with sins, led astray by various passions, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n(2\u207f\u1d48 Timothy 3:1\u20137)<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Throughout history, evil has carefully prepared the way for its flourishing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n