When Fish Catch the Fisherman
True spirituality is never popular, and when Christianity becomes popular, it loses its spiritual glow and may adopt the ways of the world.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true spirituality has always been a minority experience, often at odds with popular opinion. He argues that when Christianity becomes widely accepted, it risks losing its essence and power, as seen in the historical context where popular movements led to the persecution of true believers. Tozer warns that the majority is often misguided, and standing firm in God's truth can be both unpopular and perilous. He reflects on how the early church, despite being a minority, held a moral authority that was formidable against evil, contrasting it with the later dilution of faith when Christianity became mainstream. Ultimately, he suggests that the church has struggled to regain its spiritual vitality after succumbing to cultural pressures.
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History shows clearly enough that true spirituality has never at any time been the possession of the masses. In any given period since the fall of the human race, only a few persons ever discerned the right way or walked in God's law. God's truth has never been popular. Wherever Christianity becomes popular, it is not on its way to die--it has already died. Popular Judaism slew the prophets and crucified Christ. Popular Christianity killed the Reformers, jailed the Quakers and drove John Wesley into the streets. When it comes to religion, the crowds are always wrong. At any time there are a few who see, and the rest are blinded.
To stand by the truth of God against the current religious vogue is always unpopular and may be downright dangerous.
The historic church, while she was a hated minority group, had a moral power that made her terrible to evil and invincible before her foes. When the Roman masses, without change of heart, were made Christian by baptism, Christianity gained popularity and lost her spiritual glow. From there she went on to adopt the ways of Rome and to follow her pagan religions. The fish caught the fisherman, and what started out to be the conversion of Rome became finally the conversion of the church. From that ignominious captivity, the church has never been fully delivered.
Sermon Outline
- The Unpopularity of True Spirituality
- History shows that true spirituality is never popular
- The masses are always wrong when it comes to religion
Key Quotes
“Wherever Christianity becomes popular, it is not on its way to die--it has already died.” — A.W. Tozer
“The fish caught the fisherman, and what started out to be the conversion of Rome became finally the conversion of the church.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Be cautious of the current religious vogue and stand by the truth of God.
- True spirituality requires a willingness to be unpopular and may be dangerous.
- The church must be vigilant against the influence of the world and its ways.