2.4 Tolerance

So, taking a quick look at some of those aspects of postmodernity we find that tolerance is very important, and still very closely related to the epistemological discussion:

In a world where everyone sees things differently, where everyone lives according to differing theories…, it is far better to practice tolerance and appreciate diversity than to capsize the boat by stirring up controversy.[1]

One way in which this is expressed is the Emerging Churches’ position towards other religions. One particular community in California is described as ‘being prepared to learn from faith traditions outside the Christian fold.’[2] They have a Buddhist family in their church and visited a Buddhist temple, participating in guided meditation. ‘They reach out to other traditions, and they see them as beloved children of God.’
Both McLaren and Carson agree that this kind of postmodern tolerance can lead to intolerance.[3] McLaren: ‘Radical postmodernism rejects the truthfulness of every other belief while assuming its own position as the only universally true one.’ But: ‘In my experience, however, most postmoderns are not really this radical.’
Another way in which it is expressed is in what Frost and Hirsch call both/and thinking. ‘We have found that among many missional church leaders and thinkers there is a concern to balance ideas that are normally considered opposites.’[4]

[1] B.D. McLaren, The Church on the Other Side p.164
[2] Eddie Gibbs, Ryan K. Bolger, Emerging Churches, p.132
[3] B.D. McLaren, The Church on the Other Side p.164, D.A. Carson, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church p.69
[4] M. Frost, A. Hirsch, The Shaping of Things to Come p.27