Adiaphorism

I subscribe to A Word A Day and every day, Monday to Friday, a new word is delivered to my inbox. Some are exciting, some are obscure, some are fascinating. One of the words this week was

adiaphorism
(ad-ee-AF-uh-riz-uhm)

Meaning: Tolerance or indifference, especially in the matters of religion.

The editor's note added that "Adiaphorism is the idea that things not specifically prohibited by the Scriptures may be treated with indifference (i.e. they are permissible)."

Now I had never heard this word before but it struck me that I should have. Tolerance and indifference in religion are all too common these days. Some churches, in trying to find the line between cultural relevance and Biblical teaching seem to have decided that a spot of adiaphorism is the safest way to go. They like the definition of tolerance that says "leeway for variation from a standard." In a sense, tolerance has become indifference. (For an interesting discussion on tolerance, visit Wikipedia's page on toleration.)

The attitude becomes "let's cut ourselves a little slack, after all God is love." Or worse, it becomes "All roads lead to God." And so we can pick and choose the bits of religious habit or teaching that makes us comfortable or happy and simply ignore the rest.

Do you see a problem with that?

I'm afraid I do. God's word makes it clear that indifference is inadequate. And that He can't tolerate sin. I think we need to be wary of adiaphorism by getting more familiar with God Himself. Know His heart of love but study His holiness, too. Don't be as concerned with how much deviation from the standard you can have. Instead get to know The Standard by heart.