Winds of Change and the Changeless God
A.W. Tozer challenges the idea that the Bible must be reinterpreted in the light of modern developments, emphasizing the changeless nature of God and the importance of standing firm in our faith.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the radical changes in the contemporary world and challenges the notion that the Bible must be reinterpreted in light of these changes. He asserts that God remains unchanging and that the truths of Scripture, including miracles, are still relevant and valid. Tozer calls for courage among believers to stand firm in their faith and resist societal pressures to conform or dismiss biblical truths. He encourages Christians to be steadfast in their beliefs, asserting that true faith will ultimately influence the world rather than the other way around.
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The contemporary world is a result of radical changes down the generations amounting to revolution: the scientific revolution, the industrial revolution, the communications revolution, the philosophical revolution and the social revolution. Are we going to accept the belief that the Bible must be interpreted anew in the light of these developments? Are we going to allow ourselves to accept the doctrine that the prophets and apostles were mistaken about God? Are we going to allow society to tell us that the Bible is outmoded and largely irrelevant and must therefore be reassessed in the light of modern advancements?
Has God changed? Are we going to accept it? Is there a change in the purpose of God? Have the changes in human society startled or shocked God? Must we, in order to remain intellectually respectable and have good standing with these who doubt the Word, humbly say, "Well, I do not believe in miracles"? Or have we got enough of our Protestant protest and courage to stand up and say, "I believe in miracles whenever God Almighty wants to perform them. I believe that whenever God wants to do anything that is out of the ordinary and contrary to or at least above the common processes of nature, He is able to do it.
I believe the miracles of Jesus Christ were real miracles. I believe the miracles of the Old Testament were real miracles." Are we going to allow ourselves to be brainwashed along with all the rest? Or are we going to dare to stand and protest and be known over the country as being Protestant indeed? We would be people who refuse to adjust but who make the world adjust to us. When you adjust, you are dead. The same is true if a church adjusts to these ideas. If you adjust, you are done. But if you dare to stand, the world will adjust to you. I can promise you that. Not all will adjust to you, but at least some will.
Sermon Outline
- The Contemporary World and the Bible
- The Changeless God
- Standing Firm in the Face of Change
- Refusing to adjust to the world's ideas
- Daring to stand and protest
- Making the world adjust to us
Key Quotes
“When you adjust, you are dead.” — A.W. Tozer
“If you adjust, you are done.” — A.W. Tozer
“I believe in miracles whenever God Almighty wants to perform them.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must refuse to adjust to the world's ideas and instead stand firm in our faith.
- Daring to stand and protest can be a powerful witness to the world, drawing some to our courage and conviction.
- When we stand firm in our faith, the world will adjust to us, and we will become a beacon of hope and light in a dark world.