Pursuing Truth
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between knowledge and truth, highlighting the difference between facts and the moral and spiritual significance of truth.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical distinction between knowledge and truth, arguing that while society is obsessed with accumulating facts and information, it often neglects the deeper moral and spiritual significance of truth. He points out that knowledge, filled with mere facts, does not inherently lead to a better understanding of life or a closer relationship with God. Tozer warns that facts alone are lifeless, serving only as a medium for truth, which is essential for genuine understanding and spiritual growth. He calls for a pursuit of truth that transcends mere knowledge, urging believers to seek the essence of truth in their lives.
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One of the great religious thinkers of this century has pointed out a strange contradiction in the mental attitude of our times--our eager love of knowledge and our universal neglect of truth.
That men love knowledge is too well demonstrated to need proof, if by knowledge we mean facts, know-how, statistics, technical information, scientific and mechanical skills. Our printing presses are constantly rolling out books crammed with useful information. Our schools are bulging with eager students bent on acquiring all possible knowledge in the shortest possible time. Among the most popular and lucrative radio programs on the air today are those designed to discover how many unrelated bits of information the participants possess. "Who? What? When? Where?" run the endless questions, and the impression is created that the one who can answer the greatest number is in some way a superior person.
It is vitally important that we make a sharp distinction between knowledge and truth--that is, between the knowledge that is but the sum of facts we possess and truth which is a moral and spiritual thing. It is possible to fill the mind with facts and be none the better for it, for facts have no moral or spiritual significance. Facts bear the same relation to truth that a corpse bears to a man. They serve as a medium whereby truth relates itself to outward life and circumstance but must depend for their significance upon the inner essence of truth.
Sermon Outline
- The Contrast Between Knowledge and Truth
- The Importance of Distinguishing Between Knowledge and Truth
- The Significance of Truth
- The Love of Knowledge
- The Neglect of Truth
- Knowledge as Facts
- Truth as Moral and Spiritual
- Facts as a Medium for Truth
- The Inner Essence of Truth
Key Quotes
“Facts bear the same relation to truth that a corpse bears to a man.” — A.W. Tozer
“It is vitally important that we make a sharp distinction between knowledge and truth--that is, between the knowledge that is but the sum of facts we possess and truth which is a moral and spiritual thing.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be careful not to confuse knowledge with truth, and instead focus on understanding the moral and spiritual significance of truth.
- Our pursuit of knowledge should be balanced with a deeper understanding of truth and its significance in our lives.
- Facts are important, but they must be connected to truth in order to have true significance and meaning.