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  REFLECTING ON THE MEMOIRS OF THOSE WHO WALKED WITH GOD
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: A.W. Tozer critiques modern Christianity for its shallow state
and lack of spiritual depth, encouraging believers to cultivate a deeper
understanding of spiritual texts.

Topics: "Spiritual Depth", "True Devotion"
Scripture References: Matthew 5:6, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Philippians 3:8, Colossians 3:2, Hebrews 12:1

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer reflects on the current state of Christianity, lamenting that
many believers prefer superficial religious experiences over deep
spiritual engagement. He critiques the shift from a transcendental
understanding of God to a utilitarian approach, where God is seen merely
as a means to solve personal problems rather than as an object of
profound love and devotion. Tozer emphasizes that true spiritual
understanding requires a heart aligned with God, and that many modern
Christians miss out on the richness of faith because they approach it
with worldly interests. He warns that without a genuine connection to
the spiritual depth found in the writings of saints, believers may
resort to shallow forms of religious entertainment. Ultimately, Tozer
calls for a return to the deep, transformative love of God that
characterized the lives of historical saints.

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CONTENT
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. . . Why do the majority of present day Christians prefer shallow
religious fiction? Or uninspired Bible talks that never get beyond the
"first principles"? Or one-page daily devotions? Or watered-down
Christian biography? . . .

. . . present day evangelical Christianity is not producing saints. The
whole concept of religious experience has shifted from the
transcendental to the utilitarian. God is valued as being useful and
Christ appreciated because of the predicaments He gets us out of. He can
deliver us from the consequences of our past, relax our nerves, give us
peace of mind and make our business a success. The all-consuming love
that burns in the writings of an Augustine, a Bernard or a Rolle is
foreign to the modern religious spirit. Like understands like and fails
to comprehend what is unlike itself. The tortoise finds the mockingbird
dull. Esau has no fellowship with Jacob. "The man without the Spirit
does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they
are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

To come to our devotions straight from carnal or worldly interests is to
make it impossible to relish the deep, sweet thoughts found in the great
books we are discussing here. We must know their heart-language, must
vibrate in harmony with them, must share their inward experiences or
they will mean nothing to us. Because we are too often strangers to
their spiritual mood, we are unable to profit by them and are forced to
turn to one or another form of religious entertainment to make our
Christianity palatable enough to endure.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/reflecting-on-the-memoirs-of-those-who-walked-with-god/
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