Religious Elitism
The sermon warns against the dangers of spiritual snobbery and the importance of being concerned with the masses.
A.W. Tozer addresses the issue of religious elitism, criticizing those who dismiss the value of popular Christianity and prefer to isolate themselves in a spiritual elite. He compares this attitude to cultural snobbery, where individuals look down on others for their preferences and beliefs. Tozer warns that such a mindset can lead to a lack of compassion and connection with the broader community of believers. He emphasizes that while the desire for deeper understanding of God is commendable, it should not come at the expense of engaging with and loving others. Ultimately, he calls for a spirit that aligns with the inclusive nature of Christ's teachings.
Text
The question of numbers and their relation to success or failure in the work of the Lord is one that disturbs most Christians more than a little.
On the question there are two opposing schools of thought. There are Christians, for instance, who dismiss the whole matter as being beneath them. These correspond to the lovers of high-brow music who firmly refuse to admit that there is anything of any real value other than that composed by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. They know they are in the minority and glory in the fact, for in their opinion it is a very, very superior minority and they look down their noses at all who enjoy anything less complicated than a symphony.
Of course this is cultural snobbery and tells us a lot more about such persons than they would care to have us know. They remind one of the unco-learned of whom Colton wrote, "So much they scorn the crowd that if the throng by chance go right, they purposely go wrong."
Now among religious persons I have met a few who are guilty of a kind of spiritual snobbery of which they are doubtless wholly unaware. These have recoiled so violently from popular, cheap-Jack Christianity that they simply have no longer any sympathy with crowds. They prefer to sit around the Lord's Table in a select and tight little circle, admiring the deep things of God and, I very much fear, admiring themselves a wee bit also. This is a kind of Protestant monasticism without the cowl and the beads, for it seeks to preserve the faith of Christ from pollution by isolating it from the vulgar masses. Its motives may be commendable, but its methods are altogether unscriptural and its spirit completely out of mood with that of our Lord.
Sermon Outline
- The Question of Numbers and Success
- Two opposing schools of thought
- Cultural snobbery in Christianity
- Spiritual snobbery and its consequences
Key Quotes
“They remind one of the unco-learned of whom Colton wrote, 'So much they scorn the crowd that if the throng by chance go right, they purposely go wrong.'” — A.W. Tozer
“This is a kind of Protestant monasticism without the cowl and the beads, for it seeks to preserve the faith of Christ from pollution by isolating it from the vulgar masses.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should be concerned with the masses and not isolate ourselves from them.
- Spiritual snobbery is a form of unscriptural practice that goes against the spirit of our Lord.
- We should focus on being a part of the crowd and not trying to stand out as superior.