Forbearance
Author | : James Calvin Davis |
Publisher | : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |
Total Pages | : 240 |
Release | : 2017 |
ISBN-10 | : 9780802875105 |
ISBN-13 | : 0802875106 |
Rating | : 4/5 (05 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Offers a faithful, constructive way to deal with dissent What happens when we approach disagreement not as a problem to solve but as an opportunity to practice Christian virtue? In this book James Calvin Davis reclaims the biblical concept of forbearance to develop a theological ethic for faithful disagreement. Pointing to Ephesians and Colossians, in which Paul challenged his readers to "bear with each other" in spite of differences, Davis draws out a theologically grounded practice in which Christians work hard to maintain unity while still taking seriously matters on which they disagree. The practice of forbearance, Davis argues, offers Christians a dignified, graceful, and constructive way to deal with conflict. Forbearance can also strengthen the church's public witness, offering an antidote to the pervasive divisiveness present in contemporary culture.