An anti-emerging church blog posted a link to this writing by A.W. Tozer. While I don’t agree with all of what Tozer writes, I find myself often resonating with his passion and zeal for righteousness. Somehow, when he writes about righteousness, I don’t get the same feeling I get from most of the people who quote him.
In Tozer, I find a passion for disciples who are conformed by their faith. When he writes, I see faith in the power of God.
All too often, when he’s quoted, I do not see these things. I see faith in their words, a desire to force interpretations on others, and a battering with the same words Tozer uses to inspire.
It’s a shame the Christians who seem to resonate most with A.W. Tozer are so mean-spirited and lacking with love and passion toward those who need to hear and read his empassioned pleas for total commitment to Jesus.
Ah, the Biblical paradox of grace and truth! So much could be said about it. IMHO, the dilemma is that mainline churches have lots of truth that is not balanced with grace. One hundred percent truth without 100% grace creates a dogmatist who is only concerned with defending truth.
Is defending truth wrong. Absolutely not. It is needful and right. “…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). But we should never forget the grace side of such a defense which is what the next verse deals with. “yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience.”
Blind Beggar
November 24th, 2005
I am constantly blow away by anti-emergents who use Tozer’s writings against the ec. It just doesn’t fit.
Rich
November 23rd, 2005
Yup.
Maybe they think we’re so bad we should be convicted by the words we actually resonate with? I don’t know.
Anonymous
November 23rd, 2005
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:
After reading some of the works of A. W. Tozer I have come to realize the urgency of doing something about the situation of the churches, even so called evangelical churches. It is tragic how Tozer’s description on page 47 of the book GEMS FROM TOZER Selections from the Writings of A. W. Tozer (2001) is still very true today and it seems that the reality described has only become worse:
Our models are successful business men, celebrated athletes and theatrical personalities. We carry on our religious activities after the method of the modern advertiser. Our homes have been turned into theaters. Our literature is shallow and our hymnody borders on sacrilege. And scarcely anyone appears to care.
I am looking for men and women who are of like minded with Tozer who want to be serious with their Christian life, men and women who care about the sad state of our Christianity. I would like to share with them a program which the Lord led me to develop, even before I read the works of this ‘20th century prophet.’ His works convinced me to look for means to implement this program because the situation is really serious.
May I share with you this program? I think this program implements almost all the suggestions of Tozer in his writings. You may make a critique of this program and/or help in its implementation.
Thank you.
Joe Bulao
Cotabato City, Philippines
Jose Bulao Jr.
November 12th, 2006