Blurred Goals and Spiritual Impediments
A.W. Tozer identifies the problem of dual orientation as a disorder of the spiritual nerve system that results in a divided life-purpose and pagan mentality in evangelicalism.
A.W. Tozer addresses the troubling state of evangelicalism, likening it to a patient with an undiagnosed illness. He identifies a spiritual disorder characterized by dual orientation, where individuals struggle to align their life purpose with their faith. This internal conflict leads to a disconnection between their beliefs and actions, resulting in a divided focus between God and worldly interests. Tozer emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of this spiritual malaise, as many are caught between two conflicting values, ultimately hindering their spiritual growth and effectiveness.
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Like a doctor with a sick patient whose disease eludes diagnosis, religious leaders have for some years been aware that there is something seriously wrong with evangelicalism and have yet been unable to lay their finger upon the precise trouble. The symptoms they have discovered in abundance, but the cause back of them has been hard to locate. Mostly we have spent our time correcting symptoms, having all the while an uneasy feeling that our remedies did not go deep enough. Knowing that a disease that cannot be identified invariably calls out a flock of untrained experts to analyze and prescribe, we yet risk a pronouncement upon the condition of evangelical Christianity in our day, and we believe we may not be too far from the truth.
The trouble seems to be a disorder of the spiritual nerve system which we might, for the lack of a proper term, call dual orientation. Its dominant characteristic appears to be a cross up among the nerve ganglia of the soul resulting in an inability to control the direction of the life. The patient starts one direction and before he knows it he is going another. His inward eyes do not coordinate; each one sees a different object and seeks to lead the steps toward it. The individual is caught in the middle, trying to be true to both foci of the heart, and never knowing which he would rather follow.
Evangelicalism (at least in many circles) is suffering from this strange division of life-purpose. Its theology faces toward the East and the sacred Temple of Jehovah. Its active interests face toward the world and the temple of Dagon. Doctrinally it is Christian, but actually it is pagan mentality, pagan scale of values and pagan religious principles.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Dual Orientation
- The Symptoms of Dual Orientation
- The Consequences of Dual Orientation
- A divided life-purpose
- Theology faces toward the East, but active interests face toward the world
- Pagan mentality, pagan scale of values, and pagan religious principles
Key Quotes
“The trouble seems to be a disorder of the spiritual nerve system which we might, for the lack of a proper term, call dual orientation.” — A.W. Tozer
“Its theology faces toward the East and the sacred Temple of Jehovah. Its active interests face toward the world and the temple of Dagon.” — A.W. Tozer
“Doctrinally it is Christian, but actually it is pagan mentality, pagan scale of values and pagan religious principles.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize the symptoms of dual orientation in your own life, such as a divided life-purpose or a struggle to control the direction of your life.
- Seek to identify the root cause of dual orientation in your life, which may be a disorder in your spiritual nerve system.
- Make a conscious effort to align your theology and active interests with your Christian values and principles.