Locke's Letter of Toleration // Mackenzie Jackson

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     Locke begins by explaining that if you want to be a 'christian' you have to fully submit your life to Christ. So many people want to be a Christian and live a holy life, but the things of this world get in our way. Locke states that there is no good in calling yourself a Christian "unless his life is holy, his conduct is pure, and his spirit kind and gentle"(1). This means that people should act more instead of speaking so much. Our society today is very hypocritical, even on our campus. People who preach to others about living a holy lifestyle are the same ones going out getting drunk every weekend, going to the wildest clubs, having sexual relations, and many other questionable actions. I am most definitely not claiming to be perfect, and do things that I am not necessarily proud of, but that's the beauty of Christ. Even though I keep falling on my face. I know and trust that God will be right beside me to pick me up and help me learn from my mistakes.
     Locke then asks what church truly is, his answer "is the public worship of God and through that acquisition of eternal life"(6). Locke explains how people can not be born into the church as people are born into wealthy families. It is mans right to choose his own beliefs and to think for himself. I also believe this is true because at a certain point in everyone's life we start to question things. If there is not a true desire in one's heart to 100% believe something, they will eventually stop.
     Another interesting topic Locke discusses is the role of individual conscience. I agree with him that individuals need to worry and listen to what our heavenly father declares is right and wrong. This is because as Locke states " there's no earthly judge to decide between the supreme- earthly- magistrate and the people"(20). God's voice is the only one we should care and listen to because He is the one in control of our eternal life!

I commented on Moriah and Jamies post!

Comments

Eliza Colbert said…
Don't be a hypocrite. While not expressly stated by Locke, I think this statement sums up a lot of his writings. His toleration is based mostly on the fact that people need to worry about themselves before they worry about what other people are doing. As you pointed out, he focuses on individual conscience over public opinion.
November 4, 2019 at 12:48 PM
Kayla Gill said…
Go ahead and pull UM students in that--but you are 100% correct. Typically it is Christians who tend to be the most hypocritical. They are more focused on correcting someone else on their actions, they disregard their own mistakes. I enjoyed the piece from Locke that talked about being "born" in a church. This really hit home for me. I am a pastor's kid, so it is really easy for me to fall into the same path as my family. I wasn't given an option to pick what church I went to or if I even went at all. I went...end of story. It was not until I got to college that I really started to see that as my own decision. And...I will be honest. There were things I questioned once I got out. Locke really shows here that this is something you have to find for yourself. It isn't passed down to you.
November 4, 2019 at 5:58 PM
Anonymous said…
As Christians we are striving to be perfect but that does not mean will not fall into sin. We sin everyday, but we also have a savior that loves us even though we do that. We should all know that as Christians we are bound to fall but we also have to realize that we have a father that will help us up every time we do.

Mary Emma Davidson
November 4, 2019 at 8:37 PM
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