My (tired after driving for most of the afternoon) Thoughts on Locke’s Letters. - Caroline Tucker

I do not know if I am sleep deprived or if Locke’s Letters on Toleration had some very laugh worthy quotes. Not laugh worthy in that it was funny, but because it was very sarcastic (if said to the face, it would be called a “burn”).

I have found through having to write these blog posts that I really like parallels between different works or relating things to each other. 
In the first chapter Locke Mentions how Christians need to not be careless with their faith and salvation. He says “I would find it hard to believe that someone who is careless about his salvation is concerned for mine.” Locke also says, “It’s not possible for someone who hasn’t really embraced the Christian religion in his own heart to try with all his strength to make other people Christians.” When reading this, I thought of two things. For the sake of logical sense, I will not give them to you in the order I experienced. 
Locke mentions a very sensical and logical point. How can someone be concerned with some else's religion when they are not concerned with their own? I was convicted on how I do not witness to those around me as I should. But, before I do that I need to be sure that I am prioritizing my faith and my relationship with God above everything else.  
Secondly, Locke’s quotes reminded me of the book Through Gates of Splendor. It reminded me how the families in that book gave up everything. Some of them even gave up their lives to witness to the unreached groups of people. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed reading Locke’s Letters on Toleration. I even have more thoughts and parallels I could add but because of my love for ya’ll I am keeping short!

Ps. I commented on Abbie Hedden’s and Luke’s posts.




Comments

Eliza Colbert said…
I think Locke was a master of sarcasm. He'd be "burning" anyone who disagreed with him. I also think Locke was very focused on the individual before anyone else. That's not to say that he didn't care about other people, he just made sure that the log was out of his eye before he tried to deal with the speck in someone else's.
Moriah Nelson said…
I agree with you and Eliza in that Locke definitely emphasized our individual beliefs because of the impact these beliefs have on the greater society, often for the greater good. I think your reflection on “Through Gates of Splendor” is a good point of application because the couples and families that made up “Operation Auca” had to be convinced that what they were giving their lives for was worth dying for. So Christians today can be encouraged to be confident in the work of the Holy Spirit in their personal life which can lead them to be more bold to share what they know to be true.
Hailey Morgan said…
Yes! Locke was not holding back any of his fiery burns or blunt sarcastic spirit with this essay! In all honesty, I truly believe that only Locke can pull off this peculiar argument strategy.

Though he often seems heated in his arguments and accusations, Locke really does care about getting people to see reason. He might use a few good burns and a couple sarcastic quips, but in the end, Locke never comes across as haughty or demeaning. His works are fairly easy to read through and I feel as though his strangely entertaining style may have something to do with it!