Chambers v. Tozer
Although its not all really that clear to me yet, I have seen obvious differences in the outlooks of some of my favorite Christian authors. I have found a great example of these contrasts almost daily lately, and it have given me a starting point from which to make some observations. Although I like both types, I see one as something I can completely latch onto while the other feels more burdensome. I honestly don't know if that's personal preference or some inherent truth I just happen to feel more comfortable in. I assume a cooperation of the two to some degree.
The two authors I have contrasted in my mind are Oswald Chambers and Aiden Wilson Tozer. I want desperately to put a disclaimer down stating that I greatly respect both of these men beyond most comparisons, but I do see a difference in their overall approaches.
Now I think most people, Christian and non, would have a hard time stomaching either author. And as either author would tell you, (actually, that's probably what the text that you couldn't stomach would be discussing) that's to be the expected nature of things. Both spend much time dissecting the human condition, both pre- and post-redemption. Both spend a great deal of time in very lofty thoughts that bring conclusions that none of us are comfortable with on the majority. However, I see major differences in their direction and therefore the effect they're messages have on myself.
I don't mean to make any strict lines for either, or put words in these authors mouths, there is nothing that would more greatly upset me than to have misinterpreted one of these men whom I so highly regard. I have found, however, that Chamber's generally seeks to provide truth for specific circumstance types, while Tozer seeks a more hearty fulfillment in Christ in all situations.
Now to read either of these authors is almost a sure promise of great spiritual revelation, and neither is wrong in general, but it becomes obvious that this is a question of focal points. Unlike in the world of visual aesthetics, a life can only have one prominently. I would say that between the two, my alliance is with Tozer.
Now Chambers is a great man, a man who dissects verses piece by piece, using personal experience and vast scriptural knowledge to point to God's ways for working in the Christian's life. He is most frequently found pointing out situational truths in the lives of Christians. There is little or no reference to emotion in his work, and if searching for it one generally comes up cold, with a tone that places no importance on this topic. In a way, we can summarize his work as circumstantially focused and giving specific perceptions of general situations, with little or now emotional emphasis. It appears that Chambers is always trying to show his reader what the Bible says is a proper attitude and reaction in any variety of circumstances.
Tozer appears a stark contrast when views upon these lines. He is a man continually utilizing truth and knowledge, both Biblical and intellectual, to show how emotional and epic the truth is when viewed in proper perspective. It seems Tozer has almost no concept of circumstance, instead looking for blanket truths that in turn create proper circumstantial reactions. Tozer looks to Scripture and history to continually find reason to praise! I would summarize Tozer as being universally focused on truth that applies constantly in any circumstance, without even finding the need to discuss or address individual circumstances. It seems always that Tozer's main goal is to make God bigger and create a bigger reaction in his reader to this truth.
I think that perhaps the entirety of John Piper's ministry started as an attempt to cliff notes Tozer's work.
Of course, these are generalizations. It is not as if Chambers never sees God's glory and rejoices therein. It is not as if Tozer never comments on how different circumstances should be handled. Both prove to be proper at a time. My bias towards Tozer is made most apparent in the excitement I find in reading him.
I don't nod off as easily.
Given that my brain is just as weak as my biceps are it has become obvious to myself that no matter how much I understand a deep author or even can use his work to think deeper on tough subject matter, reading heavy material drains me almost before I have cracked a cover.
That's why I have switched over to soft back books.
But seriously, I am easily worn out intellectually if I am only inputing knowledge. I think some of the reasons for my personal bias are obvious. Tozer's point is to explain in detail everything that makes the truth logical, but it all comes back to simplicity in the end. Its like showing you all the work to prove the math is right, then going back and simply dwelling on the answer itself. I like that, being a person who loves simplicity. I also find myself feeling more and more that a proper response is often circumstancial. While there are foundations and boundaries which shouldn't be flexed, it seems a better working and easily conducted policy to think correctly and use that to evaluate a particular circumstance.
While I have my bias, and perhaps there may be some real tangible truth in the mix, I believe there is Biblical reasoning that Tozer is better. Chambers' basic idea is here's how you should handle these situations, this is what the Bible points to. Tozer's message is here is God and this is what that means, enjoy this and let it form you. Chambers tries to understand the Bible and let it transform him, while Tozer tries to know the God and let Him transform him.
Chamber's model teaches us to deal with the fall. Giving "My Utmost for His Highest."
Tozer's model shows us how to try to live like there was no fall. A life consumed in "The Pursuit of God."
I would suggest both.
My new found addictions to music (http://www.pandora.com/) and movies/tv (http://www.hulu.com/) online are slowly becoming negative. With great technology comes great responsibility.
I can't help it if I have a simple love for finding new music similar to that which I am already fond of!
Can anyone really blame me for my affection show toward Alfred Hitchcock's classic black and white weekly installments of drama and irony?
I didn't think so, but even as I indulge, I feel the weary consumer shackles weighing me down. So much for freedom.... at least I can walk away during the commercials.
You know you want to see Mr. Miyagi as a cartoon character with high fives, winks, and thumbs up!
Three Sticks
I pushed the button to close the garage door and was careful to step over the sensor beam that would jerk it to a halt and send it up again. I put one foot on a pedal and let gravity carry me down and out of the drive-way while I crossed the other leg over the seat. I was surprised by how few street light this subdivision actually has. Half the time I was riding in complete darkness, let alone the blindness that came when I got to the construction.
Rows of empty, half-built houses.
I wondered to myself why the more completed ones had lights on inside here and there. Is this to keep people away at night, or are there already a horde of homeless dwelling in these homes until more lucrative habitants can afford them?
I made my way to a huge hill created past civilization where extra dirt was discarded. Having been assigned this position for some time now, the huge mound, some thirty feet high and a hundred yards across, had grown to resemble the dried and beaten grassland surrounding it. The thought of snakes crossed my mind. In the dark I made my way to the top of the hill and carefully crossed it to the only place I had found in brighter times to bear any uniqueness. A rock pad in the ground lay just the perfect size to lay out on.
The stars were brilliant.
They're bigger here in Texas, you know.
I had filled my pipe as I walked with what I could make to be the second to last smoke this pouch would provide for me. It was odd to be smoking lying on my back, so that my pipe had to lay onto my chest at an awkward down angle for a drag. Sometimes the best place to see and talk to God is alone with a pipe.
As I lay there I heard a scream unlike any before. I sat up. In the distance, I could make out the sound a donkey or mule that must have been as close to death as possible from the shrill screeching to let out into the night sky. That was creepy.
Apart from the sounds, the atmosphere reminded me of camping out. Now sitting up, I looked down at my little rock floor, and the lighter in my hand. I grabbed a handful of dried grass and made a little pile on my floor. I lit it and it burned brightly for all of four seconds. I did this again, using the short burst of light provided to look for anything that would stay lit. I saw nothing. I got up, took a short walk, squatting down to look at anything not appearing to be grass or dirt. Within thirty seconds and to my own surprise, I found three sticks, each no more than six inches long and half an inch thick. I placed them as best I could atop a new pile of dried grass. The first was a failure. I tried again, this time thinking less fire building strategy, more simply to just get the sticks into the short-term grass flames. This was a better strategy when working on such small scale. The sticks slowly caught on to the idea, and the tiny fire made very sporadic shadow dances on the grass surrounding my rock.
As I sat trying to take in the fire's jig and the brightness of the sky, I designed a new technique for smoking my pipe. It was interesting to think I had never smoked in light drags, even though I'm sure its what has always been done by most.
The fire was healthy now, one not needing a babysitter to keep it up. In fact, every burst of wind blew the thought of loose sparks in dry grass into my mind. I needed to keep an eye on this little blaze. The sticks went from dancing with flames to a neon orange glowing as they writhed like worms under the burden of there distruction. The glow of their wood as it turned to charcoal faded slowly in and out, bright and dim. Eventuall, I took a fist-size stone and smashed up the remains of the wood, spreading it out into a thousand little glow worms in a black hill. As the glowing specks began to diminish in quantity, I searched upward and realized there was no moon out as far as my eyes were concerned. Back to the embers, I continued to crush them out, as well as using the only liquid on me, my spit, as an additional douser of the little lights. As the last few lights left, I followed.
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Not to mention the 4 packs of 3 Sweet Tarts as additional prize.
