We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

There is Nothing New Under the Sun

In our day we must be dramatic about everything.  We don’t want God to work unless He can make a theatrical production of it.  We want Him to come dressed in costumes with a beard and with a staff.  We want Him to play a part according to our ideas.  Some of us even demand that he provide a colorful setting and fireworks as well!
A.W. Tozer, The Tozer Pulpit, book 8, pp.48-49
Tozer wrote this over 50 years ago, and yet is sounds like today’s “seeker-sensitive,” “market-driven,” and “emergent” churches!

4 comments:

ali said...

Indeed - the more things change, the more they remain the same.

Good word for these troubled times.

Anonymous said...

I thought that was a quote from a contemporary until I saw that Tozer said it!

072591 said...

This goes back even farther than that. Remember that Jesus Christ was followed by people all the time who just wanted to see a show and they would leave when He refused to show off for them.

John B said...

I always find it suspect when believers make a big production out of their religious experience. It's like a big "look at me/us and how much I/we are in tune with God!"

It's exactly what Jesus was admonishing when he spoke against praying in public.

On the other side of the coin, skeptics like to say all they'd need is God to make some fancy production and they'd believe. I think that's nonsense. They would have a laundry list of why none of it counts.