The Narrow Path Ministries

I was surprised there was not a topic on Tozer here (maybe I missed it).

Anyway, Steve mentioned an article by Tozer during last week's radio show (maybe Thurs or Friday). It had to do with, I believe, the lack of Biblical leadership in the church from church elders and deacons. I believe that it was in one of Tozer's newspaper editorials?

If this rings a bell, I would appreciate anyone forwarding a link or the name of the article.

Hi tdarr2201,

Steve Gregg wrote:

The editorial, "The Waning Authority of Christ in the Churches," is the final editorial in that book [God Tells the Man Who Cares]. If anyone just wants to read that piece by itself, you can find it here: http://www.awtozerclassics.com/articles ... /86408.htm

This quote was copied from the thread entitled,"Hello" found in the Courtyard of this forum. There is a little discussion on the subject there too. I hope you find this helpful.

Selah

I just forwarded that article today to every Christian I know (whose email address I know). It is something we all must read and carefully consider.

Thank God for men like Tozer.

TK

Others from that thread...

"We Must Be Still To Know..."
http://www.cmalliance.org/resources/arc ... 20still%22


"Pragmatism Goes to Church."
http://www.cmalliance.org/resources/arc ... 0church%22

By the way, there's no copyright term remaining on most of this material.

This paragraph from Ch 2 of The Pursuit of God has always stuck with me- describing the process of putting "self" to death:

Let us never forget that such a truth as this cannot be learned by rote as one would learn the facts of physical science. They must be experienced before we can really know them. We must in our hearts live through Abraham's harsh and bitter experiences if we would know the blessedness which follows them. The ancient curse will not go out painlessly; the tough old miser within us will not lie down and die obedient to our command. He must be torn out of our heart like a plant from the soil; he must be extracted in agony and blood like a tooth from the jaw. He must be expelled from our soul by violence as Christ expelled the money changers from the temple. And we shall need to steel ourselves against his piteous begging, and to recognize it as springing out of self-pity, one of the most reprehensible sins of the human heart.

that underlined part really paints a graphic picture, and is a very good metaphor.

TK

I would think a modern day publication such as Christianity Today would do well to republish these as regular contributions, considering the copyright status.

not sure if Christians today are ready for that, darin

TK

TK wrote:This paragraph from Ch 2 of The Pursuit of God....describing the process of putting "self" to death:

Let us never forget that such a truth as this cannot be learned by rote as one would learn the facts of physical science. They must be experienced before we can really know them. We must in our hearts live through Abraham's harsh and bitter experiences if we would know the blessedness which follows them. The ancient curse will not go out painlessly; the tough old miser within us will not lie down and die obedient to our command. He must be torn out of our heart like a plant from the soil; he must be extracted in agony and blood like a tooth from the jaw. He must be expelled from our soul by violence as Christ expelled the money changers from the temple. And we shall need to steel ourselves against his piteous begging, and to recognize it as springing out of self-pity, one of the most reprehensible sins of the human heart.

TK

This is so true! And I think an ongoing (seemingly never ending) process.

TK wrote: This paragraph from Ch 2 of The Pursuit of God has always stuck with me- describing the process of putting "self" to death:

Let us never forget that such a truth as this cannot be learned by rote as one would learn the facts of physical science. They must be experienced before we can really know them. We must in our hearts live through Abraham's harsh and bitter experiences if we would know the blessedness which follows them. The ancient curse will not go out painlessly; the tough old miser within us will not lie down and die obedient to our command. He must be torn out of our heart like a plant from the soil; he must be extracted in agony and blood like a tooth from the jaw. He must be expelled from our soul by violence as Christ expelled the money changers from the temple. And we shall need to steel ourselves against his piteous begging, and to recognize it as springing out of self-pity, one of the most reprehensible sins of the human heart.

that underlined part really paints a graphic picture, and is a very good metaphor.[*]

TK

TK wrote:he must be extracted in agony and blood like a tooth from the jaw.

I have to take exception to this underlined portion. I want to call this post "The Mercy of God." I hope you will read into this story all of the spiritual parallels herein because I intend to convey through this real life experience, that not only may we benefit from a personal version of "Abraham's harsh and bitter experiences" but we may also realize the mercy of God as He helps us in "the process of putting "self" to death."

A week ago yesterday, I had a large second molar infected by root canal extracted from my jaw. What made matters worse was that years earlier, my beloved Uncle Everett (who was on a blood thinner at the time) died as a result of having an extraction. Soon after his death, I vowed to never see a dentist again. This reminds me of the verse stating, "do not let your sins find you out." Deep in my sin (fear and distrust) I faced a chronic illness with certain disability unless I attempted to regain my health by this extraction. However reluctant, I remained alarmingly motivated to have the extraction.

In fear I prayed---starting months before the actual procedure took place. As my fear slowly abated, I prayed to find a dentist who would "cradle the tooth and rock it out." I prayed he would NOT rip it out (as an extraction had been done this way earlier in my adult life), but that he would be patient with my tenatious tooth and allow it to loosen slowly, yet surely.

Before I submitted to the extraction process, my new dentist patiently answered many questions. He discussed a long list of my concerns regarding the procedure. However, in the midst of all my questions it never crossed my mind to ask him if he would pull gently or forcefully. By the grace of God, by the time I leaned back in the dental chair I was fully trusting in God for His outcome, and in the dentist and his assistant for their professional best.

About 15 minutes into the procedure, my thoughts in the dental chair were peaceful. (NO conscious sedation or nitrous oxide was used. I chose to be aware of everything, although I did accept local anesthetic. ) My fully conscious state of mind afforded me an opportunity to have a wonderful experience! In thought, I praised the Lord and soon was reminded of the words from Psalms 103:2. As the minutes continued and nothing was as yet forthcoming, the dentist volunteered this information, "There is nothing wrong; I am just gently rocking the tooth back and forth so it will loosen and come out easily." I was surprised, and realized (once again) this dentist was an answer to prayers! When the tooth finally came out--as planned, one half at a time--my dentist informed me, "there is no excess bleeding; everything is perfectly normal." No worries, I thought. In fact, the entire procedure (I'm cutting the story short) was wonderful to me!

In that moment and today, and I think always I will believe that our Father answered my prayers. Indeed, I had virtually no post-surgical swelling throughout this past week and needed no pain medication afterward ( They say I have high pain tolerance though... ) Most certainly, I am convinced that this dentist's patient, gentle and firm approach left my flesh in only minor trauma, which aided in a quick and painless recovery.

As a consequence, I don't believe that every extraction, be it physical or spiritual, must be traumatic. We may be able to use a dental extraction as analogous for spiritual "agony" and the "harsh and bitter experiences" of dying to self, but I believe it may also suffice to illustrate God's mercy, as He may patiently yet firmly "kill" us gently.

Selah* p.s For those on this forum who prayed, thank you so much for your prayers that day!

p.s. again: The minute I submitted this post, the thought occured to me that my experience would have been quite different without anesthetic. Now, I have to ponder this more. Perhaps A. W. Tozer made a good point after all.

Hi Selah,

That's wonderful, how the Lord answered your prayers and sustained you through the whole ordeal!
He certainly is merciful.

When I first read the bit about extracting the tooth with blood and in agony, I pictured the scene from Castaway with Tom Hanks. (If you haven't seen it, you may not want to).

I know the Lord is extremely patient with us, but I think our self-will often hangs on for dear life; and I don't know that crucifixion can ever be entirely painless. I heard someone say that living sacrifices on the altar tend to try and squirm away! -

(Gal 5:17) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these things oppose each other, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

(Gal 5:24) And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.