Crossless Chrisianity
A.W. Tozer warns against the dangers of crossless Christianity, which compromises with the world and loses the significance of the cross.
A.W. Tozer warns against the dangers of 'Crossless Christianity,' where believers seek to make the cross socially acceptable and compromise their faith for societal approval. He highlights the peril of a faith that prioritizes peace of mind and acceptance over the true authority of Christ and the significance of the cross. Tozer argues that this approach leads to a Pyrrhic victory, where the cost of such compromises outweighs any perceived gains, resulting in a blurred line between the world and the church. He calls for a return to the true meaning of the cross and a rejection of the modern trend of collaboration with worldly values.
Text
About 300 B.C. a Greek king named Pyrrhus fought a battle with the Romans at Heraclea. Pyrrhus won the battle but in doing so he suffered such appalling losses as to more than offset his gains.
Thus a victory that costs too much is often called a Pyrrhic victory.
. . .
For years I have watched misled Christians in their unholy effort to make friends with the enemy and to render the cross socially acceptable. A few prophets have written and preached against this outrageous sellout, but their words have gone unheeded. The leadership of the popular Christian movements has been and still is in the hands of persons who are blind to the meaning of the cross. That darkness and light cannot mingle never so much as occurs to them. They are busily engaged copying the world and trying to be like it as far as they dare. To be a Christian one need only "accept" Christ. That brings "peace of mind" and assurance of heaven. After that the cross has no meaning and Christ no authority. Compromise and collaboration are now the distinguishing marks of religion. To be relaxed and well adjusted to society is more important than to keep the commandments of Christ. The fawning, ingratiating spirit is the modern badge of saintliness. Between the world and the Christian there is no longer any great difference. And that not by accident. They planned it that way.
Yes, we have won a victory over the atheists. They no longer cause us any trouble. But subsequent developments will show that our triumph has cost us too much. It is a Pyrrhic victory.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Crossless Christianity
- Compromise with the World
- The Loss of Christ's Authority
- The Consequences of a Pyrrhic Victory
Key Quotes
“For years I have watched misled Christians in their unholy effort to make friends with the enemy and to render the cross socially acceptable.” — A.W. Tozer
“That darkness and light cannot mingle never so much as occurs to them.” — A.W. Tozer
“To be a Christian one need only 'accept' Christ. That brings 'peace of mind' and assurance of heaven. After that the cross has no meaning and Christ no authority.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must hold fast to the teachings of Christ and refuse to compromise with the world.
- The cross of Christ is central to Christianity and must not be downplayed or ignored.
- A true victory in Christ comes at a cost, but it is a cost worth paying.