The issue of religious tolerance is an important one for Christians to consider. On the one hand, Christians are called to share the truth about Jesus Christ and salvation through faith in Him. On the other hand, forcing religious beliefs on others or being intolerant of other faiths is not Christ-like behavior. What guidance does the Bible provide on how Christians should approach religious tolerance?
The exclusivity of Christ
The Bible teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to God and salvation. Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV). The apostles affirmed that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). This exclusivity is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God who died for sins and rose again, and only through repentance and faith in Him can one be forgiven and reconciled to God.
This doctrine rules out universalism, the belief that all religious paths lead to God. It also means Christianity does not accept the view that Jesus can simply be added to the list of great religious teachers. He is the way, the truth, and the life – the only merciful provision for sinners to be saved. His claims of divine authority and sacrifice for sin are either true or false. There is no middle ground of treating Jesus as just another admirable spiritual leader.
Called to evangelize
Because of the exclusivity of Christ, Christians are called to spread the gospel message to the whole world. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The apostles took this calling seriously, evangelizing first throughout Judea and then traveling across the Roman Empire preaching salvation by grace through faith in Jesus (Acts 15:7, 16:10, Romans 15:20).
This missionary calling means that Christians aim to persuade people of other faiths of the truth about Jesus. The apostle Paul’s custom when coming to a new city was to preach the gospel message first in the synagogues to his fellow Jews, then to the Gentiles (Acts 17:1-3). Evangelism is driven by love – the love of Christ for lost sinners motivates His followers to reach out to others (2 Corinthians 5:14). Christians must share the good news while continuing to love all people.
Leave judgment to God
An important distinction for Christians is that they are called to evangelize, but it is ultimately God who judges. Believers should appeal to others to believe in Jesus for salvation, but they must avoid a judgmental or superior attitude. When the religious leaders sought to condemn a woman caught in adultery, Jesus rebuked them saying “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). Then he showed mercy to the woman.
The apostle Paul declares, “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Whether someone repents and believes is between that person and God. Christians should humbly share the gospel, then trust the Spirit to work in people’s hearts.
Called to love all people
Christians are called to follow Jesus’ example of compassionate love for all people, regardless of their religious beliefs. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied that we are to love the Lord with all our being, then added “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39). The apostle Paul taught “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10).
Loving others as Christ has loved us includes those who believe differently. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan to make the point that our “neighbor” whom we are to love is anyone in need, even those rejected by society (Luke 10:25-37). When staying with a Samaritan village, Jesus was rejected for his destination of Jerusalem. But the disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven. Jesus rebuked them saying “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:51-56).
This example calls Christians to show compassion and do good even when differences exist. The light of Christ within believers is meant to draw people to God, not repel them through unloving behavior. Jesus taught his followers, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).
Do not compromise on the gospel
While called to love others, Christians must be careful not to compromise on the gospel message for the sake of tolerance. The apostle Paul cautions: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9).
In matters of religious truth, the Bible takes priority over pleasing people and going along with popular culture. Paul stood courageously before the Areopagus in Athens and proclaimed the truth about the one true living God, calling people to repentance before Christ (Acts 17:22-31). He stressed that while God formerly “overlooked ignorance”, now “he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31).
Christians must not shy away from speaking truth with conviction. Yet it should always be shared with grace and love. As Peter wrote, “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15).
Obey governing authorities
Christians are called to obey earthly governing authorities unless there is a direct conflict with God’s Word. The apostle Paul wrote, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1). Both Jesus and Paul acceded to unjust trials at the hands of the authorities of their day. However, when forbidden to preach the gospel, the apostles refused to obey that order (Acts 4:18-20). The exaltation of Christ supersedes all earthly directives.
Regarding those of other faiths, Christianity has flourished at times when there was freedom of religion, and suffered under governments forcing conversion. The histories of the early church in Rome, those fleeing religious persecution to America, and today’s oppressed Christians worldwide all testify to the importance of religious liberty. Christians should support the right of voluntary conversion. As God enables, Christians can also lovingly disobey orders forbidding gospel preaching while being willing to suffer the consequences, following the example of Christ.
Do not retaliate
When facing persecution or oppression for their faith, Christians are called to bless those who mistreat them and refrain from retaliation. Jesus taught his followers, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28). He led by example when suffering unjustly without retaliation. “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:22-23).
This example of non-retaliation is consistent throughout the New Testament. Romans 12:14 says “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” 1 Corinthians 4:12 states, “when we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it”. Christians are called to a radical response of returning good for evil. God can change hearts through the believer’s faithful witness in the face of persecution.
Take a stand on moral issues
While avoiding an intolerant or retaliatory spirit, Christians may need at times to take a stand against immorality in the culture. Both Jesus and the apostles spoke out against the religious hypocrisy and moral failings of their day. However, they kept their focus on correcting sinful practices, not targeting groups or individuals.
Jesus pronounced woe upon the hypocritical Pharisees who followed ceremonial minutia yet neglected justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23). He cleansed the temple of those exploiting the faith for financial gain (Matthew 21:12-13). The apostles confronted religious leaders when commanded to stop speaking about Jesus (Acts 4:18-31, 5:27-32). When faith and morals were under attack, they needed to obey God rather than men. Paul corrected the Corinthians strongly for approving sexual immorality in their church that would not even be tolerated among pagans (1 Corinthians 5).
In standing for truth, Christians must avoid self-righteousness and hypocrisy. Their moral standards come from obedience to Christ and his Word, not personal superiority. Also essential is speaking truth with love, motived by concern for people’s relationship with God.
The balance of truth and love
The overarching principles for Christians regarding tolerance of other faiths are sharing truth with conviction, magnifying Christ with compassion, and clinging to biblical authority with humility. Christians can confidently proclaim Christ as the only way to salvation while leaving judgment to God, extending mercy to all, obeying governing authorities unless they directly conflict with God’s Word, refusing to retaliate when persecuted, yet boldly confronting clear immorality in the culture.
This balance of truth and love follows the model of Christ who uncompromisingly called people to repent and believe in Him for salvation, yet showed compassion to all who sought Him. The Bible forbids believers from worshipping other gods, validating all religious paths as equally true, or failing to share the gospel out of fear of offense. However, Scripture also prohibits forcing conversion or harming those who will not repent. Evangelism must be voluntary, by persuasion through the Spirit. Christians point people to Christ out of genuine love and concern for the state of their souls.
Regarding religious tolerance, Christians can respect others’ freedom to believe differently but not accept their beliefs as true. They call on all people to repent while leaving final judgment to God alone. Christians must obey government authorities unless there is a direct clash with obeying Christ. And they must be willing to endure mistreatment and even death for standing upon their biblically grounded moral convictions.
In summary, Christianity by its very nature makes exclusive claims about salvation that rule out universalism. At the same time, forced conversion is unbiblical. Therefore, within a culture that protects religious freedom, Christians should advocate for the right of voluntary conversion while sharing the gospel out of love, not compulsion. With non-believers they can have respectful dialogue, seek understanding, find common ground to work for good, and show Christlike care and compassion.
Conclusion
The Bible offers important principles to guide Christians in their approach to religious tolerance. Christians follow an exclusive Savior in Christ, yet are called to love all people. This requires balancing truth with love – humbly and respectfully sharing the gospel while leaving judgment to God. Christians should support religious freedom, obey authorities unless they directly conflict with God’s Word, refuse retaliation when faced with persecution, yet take a stand against immorality in society.
With non-believers, Christians can have respectful dialogue, seek understanding, find common ground for good, and show Christlike compassion. While exclusive in their doctrine of salvation, Christians must be gracious ambassadors of the truth. Their motivation is caring for the eternal state of souls, not proving their own superiority. By following the example of Christ in speaking truth with conviction and acting in love, Christians can have an influential witness for the gospel within a religiously diverse culture.