Tutu's Tolerance
Matthew 4:1-11
Illustration
by Thomas Long

Years ago in the midst of South Africa's struggle against apartheid, one of the most respected voices for racial harmony and human dignity was that of Bishop Desmond Tutu. But even the closest colleagues of Tutu are sometimes distressed by the bishop's tolerance and moderation. They wish he would be more aggressive with his opponents. One of them said, "At his age you'd think he would have learned to hate a little more. But there is this problem with Tutu: he believes literally in the gospel." What he was saying, in effect, is that Tutu knows who he is, remembers his baptism. He knows the gospel story, and he will not change the script.

CSS Publishing Company, Whispering The Lyrics, by Thomas Long