I enjoyed reading Locke’s Letter of Toleration, and honestly I was dreading it, but I was actually surprised when I found myself agreeing with him. Therefore this blog post is about to be a huge rant moment for me.
I’d like to pull a quote from section three that states, “The Gospel often declares that the true disciples of Christ must suffer persecution; but I can’t find anywhere in the New Testament that the Church of Christ is to persecute others, and force others by fire and sword to embrace her faith and doctrine.” This quote was one of my highlighted quotes that I put a huge star beside. Persecution within the church rather than outside has always been something that has unfortunately happened. It’s really something heartbreaking to see it happen because it caused so much division and bitterness. Actually a lot of what Locke says is caused from within the church. This is where Christians have gotten a ‘bad wrap’. Locke also speaks on if someone strays away it’s not our jobs to make him miserable, and sad to say I’ve seen it happen. Church goers, or let’s just say religious people, are so quick to condemn others. If a good person messes up God forbid they are the new talk of the town. It’s the same way with suffering. Rather than giving them a call and tell them you’re praying for them or just being a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen, it’s so much easier just to tell everyone else about what is happening in their lives.
Locke also states in section one that he finds it hard to believe that someone who is careless about his own salvation is concerned for his. This is so true. People who haven’t really embraced Christ in their hearts can’t really cause others to be Christians. There is no concern for telling others about it Jesus because there is no concern for Him within ourselves (I speak these words on a broader, more general term, rather than of myself, nor do I wish to condemn anyone on the matter).
Locke speaks on separation of church and state which is something I do agree with. He says that the magistrate shouldn’t make rules of the church just as the church doesn’t make the rules of the government. In the south I see a lot of people talk about how we need God in the government and God in the White House. Many people don’t fully mean a Christian government, rather they just need salvation, but I’ve met plenty who feel that way about having a Christian government. I don’t disagree on the salvation part, and yes many of those people probably are in need of salvation, but I’ve had to come to terms that everyone is not a Christian. Therefore, if someone isn’t a Christian, the church shouldn’t have say in the government because it would force non-Christians to be a Christian, and there is no true conversion there. Also, the government has no right to tell others what they should believe in their private time of worship to their Creator. There is a big difference in having Christian leadership and a Christian government.
I commented and Cade and Anna Grace’s post.
I commented and Cade and Anna Grace’s post.
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