A.W. Tozer, a pastor and preacher (1897-1963), held strong convictions about worship and its corruption through entertainment. His writings remain relevant today.
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Tozer’s Concerns
Tozer critiqued the increasing reliance on entertainment in religious settings. He believed that God’s “children are bored with Him” leading to the use of “religious movies, games and refreshments” to attract people to church. This influenced church life and architecture, creating spaces that catered to amusement rather than adoration.
The Menace of the Religious Movie
Tozer saw the “religious movie” as a symptom of a deeper problem: the confusion between amusement and true worship. He argued that adoration and admiration are distinct from mere entertainment.
Key Themes in Tozer’s Work
- Worship vs. Entertainment
- Spiritual Concentration
- The Presence of God
- Adoration
- Modern Evangelism
- Worldliness
Relevance Today
Tozer’s message is that true worship should fascinate and captivate us. His insights challenge us to examine our motivations and methods in worship, ensuring that we prioritize genuine connection with God over superficial entertainment.
A.W. Tozer, a pastor and preacher (1897-1963), held strong convictions about worship and its corruption through entertainment. His writings remain relevant today.
Tozer critiqued the increasing reliance on entertainment in religious settings. He believed that God’s “children are bored with Him” leading to the use of “religious movies, games and refreshments” to attract people to church. This influenced church life and architecture, creating spaces that catered to amusement rather than adoration.
Tozer saw the “religious movie” as a symptom of a deeper problem: the confusion between amusement and true worship. He argued that adoration and admiration are distinct from mere entertainment.
- Worship vs. Entertainment
- Spiritual Concentration
- The Presence of God
- Adoration
- Modern Evangelism
- Worldliness
Tozer’s message is that true worship should fascinate and captivate us. His insights challenge us to examine our motivations and methods in worship, ensuring that we prioritize genuine connection with God over superficial entertainment.
Digging Deeper into Tozer’s Perspective
Tozer wasn’t against enjoyment or pleasure, but he vehemently opposed the substitution of entertainment for authentic spiritual experience. He believed that the church’s primary function was to cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with God, and that entertainment, when used as a crutch, actually hindered this process. He saw it as a form of “spiritual candy,” providing a temporary sugar rush but ultimately failing to nourish the soul.
He worried that the pursuit of entertainment within the church would lead to a superficial understanding of faith, where people are drawn more to the spectacle than to the substance of the Gospel. This, in turn, could lead to a decline in genuine discipleship and a weakening of the church’s witness in the world.
Applying Tozer’s Principles in the 21st Century
In our hyper-stimulated, entertainment-saturated world, Tozer’s words resonate even more powerfully. How can we, as individuals and as churches, ensure that we are prioritizing genuine worship and spiritual growth over mere amusement?
- Self-Examination: Regularly evaluate our own motivations and practices in worship. Are we seeking a genuine encounter with God, or are we simply looking for a good show?
- Prioritize Spiritual Disciplines: Make time for prayer, Bible study, and solitude – activities that cultivate a deeper relationship with God.
- Discernment in Choosing Entertainment: Be mindful of the content we consume and its potential impact on our spiritual lives. Does it draw us closer to God, or does it distract us from Him?
- Authentic Community: Foster genuine relationships with other believers, where we can encourage and challenge one another in our faith.
- Re-evaluate Church Programs: Churches should critically examine their programs and activities to ensure they are genuinely fostering spiritual growth and not just providing entertainment. This includes evaluating the music, the teaching, and the overall atmosphere.
Tozer’s challenge is not to eliminate all forms of enjoyment from our lives or from the church, but to ensure that our pursuit of pleasure does not eclipse our pursuit of God. By prioritizing authentic worship and spiritual growth, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us.
