A. W. Tozer Chapter One: Why We Must Think Rightly About God




Chapter One: Why We Must Think Rightly About God
I have listed various quotes from the chapter that carry its chief message. Tozer employs a type of deductive thinking, charting where a soul, congregation or even a nation will wind up based upon what they believe about God; warning that ignorance and error concerning God’s nature and resolve leads to tragedy and hardship. We are forewarned by Tozer to do our 'due diligence' and so it behooves us to accept this chapter’s probe of our hearts, and to be mindful to make certain that what we believe about God is consistent with His nature and Word, and worthy of His Person. This could be considered one of the most compelling chapters of the entire book.

“The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.” – page 1.

In reference to what we in our hearts truly conceive God to be like; “We tend by a secret law of the soul to move towards our mental image of God.” – page 2.

“Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech. She can never escape the self-disclosure of her witness concerning God.” – page 2.

“Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, ‘What comes into your mind when you think about God?’ we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Were we able to know exactly what our most influential religious leaders think of God today, we might be able with some precision to foretell where the Church will stand tomorrow.” – page 2.

Where the leader goes, so goes the nation. This has certainly proven to be historically true of the many nations where leadership have forsaken the practice of spiritual disciplines and true works of piety. Their lax convictions have trickled down into society, manifesting in tyranny or the like, and often resulting in poverty, injustice and the debasement of mankind. Conversely where these godly disciplines have been maintained; nations and even armies have overcome great challenges and accomplished mighty transformations that to this day have greatly contributed to both national prosperity and social reform. Augustine, Calvin, Cromwell, Knox and the like; all men who confronted corruption, endured gross persecution, exposed heretical adherence and set their nations back on the path towards God. These men revolutionized their cultures and continue to impact the world today.

“Thought and speech are God’s gifts to creatures made in His image; these are intimately associated with Him and impossible apart from Him. It is highly significant that the first word was the Word: “And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We may speak because God spoke. In Him word and idea are indivisible.” – page 2.

"Compared with our actual thoughts about Him, our creedal statements are of little consequence. Our real idea of God may lie buried under the rubbish of conventional religious notions and may require an intelligent and vigorous search before it is finally unearthed and exposed for what it is.Only after an ordeal of painful self-probing are we likely to discover what we actually believe about God." – page 3.

"I believe there is scarcely an error in doctrine or a failure in applying Christian ethics that cannot be traced finally to imperfect and ignoble thoughts about God." – page 3.

"Low views of God destroy the gospel for all who hold them." – page 4.

"The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him." – page 4.

"The idolater simply imagines things about God and acts as if they were true." – page 5.

"The first step down for any church is taken when it surrenders its high opinion of God." – page 5.

"The heaviest obligation lying upon the Christian Church today is to purify and elevate her concept of God until it is once more worthy of Him - and of her." – page 5.


Further Study:

http://www.apuritansmind.com/historical-theology/the-history-of-calvinism-by-mr-loraine-boettner/#BEFORE_THE_REFORMATION - The History of Calvinism by Mr. Loraine Boettner

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