After one of our Spiritual Formation classes we were assigned to read the preface and first chapter of A.W Tozer's The Knowledge of the Holy. We were then asked to respond to four questions.
1.What does Tozer identify as the problem? Do you agree or disagree?
The problem that Tozer identifies is that the Church has lost the concept of majesty. i must say that i do agree with that statement, because more and more churches today are focusing on what we can do, but not on what god can and will do, and what he has done. The focus has been shifted toward ourselves and away from God, and that should never happen.
2.What does he mean by "the majesty of God"?
The majesty of God means the supreme authority, or sovereignty of God. The acknowledgement of God's greatness, and power.
3.What are the "further losses" he identifies? What do they all share in common?
We have lost our spirit of worship, and the ability to stop and spend quality time with God, Both of these losses are dealing with our relationship with God, these losses lead to losing our relationship with God.
4.Note Tozer's view on reading great works of Christian authors. Note also the time in which he was writing. Do you think things have improved since then? How might your education relate to the problem and solution both individually and for Christianity in America?
Having a Classical education gives us the opportunity to read these Documents which will help to further strengthen our relationship with God. Many Christians didn't and still don't read these documents, and I do not feel as though things have improved, which is, again, where a Classical education does come in handy.
Thank you, Celine, for your thoughts. I think you are right: "the focus has been shifted toward ourselves and away from God." Gigi expressed the same. There is a balance, isn't there? In worship, the focus is to be on God (otherwise it isn't true worship), and yet, we are participants in worship. We receive God in worship (that's when he gives himself to us afresh), therefore, there is a subjective experience. But if that is the focus, then we're off track.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, a Classical education does "come in handy" :). It is my prayer that through this educational experience, God will do a work in our lives to help remedy the deficiencies Tozer identified a generation ago.