The Pursuit of Man

Rating:
Summary: Pursuit of Man - devinely inspired
Review: A signpost pointing in the direction of the narrow path that is travelled by so few. If I were to give this book another title, it would be called "True Christianity".

This book has most certainly changed my life. A must read for all who call themselves by the name Christian, who desire more than anything to walk upon that narrow path.

If I could suggest two books essential to the Christian faith, they would undoubtably be the Bible and Pursuit of Man.

Rating:
Summary: Pursuit of Man - devinely inspired
Review: A signpost pointing in the direction of the narrow path that is travelled by so few. If I were to give this book another title, it would be called "True Christianity".

This book has most certainly changed my life. A must read for all who call themselves by the name Christian, who desire more than anything to walk upon that narrow path.

If I could suggest two books essential to the Christian faith, they would undoubtably be the Bible and Pursuit of Man.

Rating:
Summary: The Essential Interiority of True Religion
Review: In the preface, Tozer states: "The argument of this book is the ESSENTIAL INTERIORITY of true religion. I expect to show that if we would know the power of the Christian message our nature must be invaded by an Object from beyond it; that That which is external must become internal; that the objective Reality which is God must cross the threshold of our personality and take residence within." Tozer is against the popular notion that "theological assent" (which some call `faith') "is all that is required to make Christians." He is against the idea that merely learning the Word of God, and even assenting to its truths, is all that one needs to be a Christian apart from a holy, dynamic, and life-changing discipleship via the Holy Spirit to the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Tozer would probably lean towards the position of men like John MacArthur, James M. Boice, and Dallas Willard regarding the Lordship salvation controversy, especially Willard's position as expounded in his book "The Divine Conspiracy" (see especially his chapter titled "The Gospels of Sin Management"). See, for example, Chapter 2 (In Word, or in Power) in The Divine Conquest. Tozer here takes exception to those who say that "A Christian is not morally better than a sinner, the only difference is that he has taken Jesus, and so he has a Savior." Tozer responds: "I trust it may not sound flippant to inquire, `A savior from what?' If not from sin and evil conduct and the old fallen life, then from what? And if the answer is, From the consequences of past sins and from judgment to come, still we are not satisfied. Is justification from past offenses all that distinguishes a Christian from a sinner? Can a man become a believer in Christ and be no better than he was before? Does the gospel offer no more than a skillful Advocate to get guilty sinners off free at the day of judgment?" Tozer's answer is an emphatic "No!"

What about the so-called "mystics" that Tozer lists in his preface as some of his mentors to desiring "the better way"? I can only conclude that Tozer considers himself in their company as living the `essential interiority of true religion'. Tozer thinks that the dividing line today (in his day and ours) is between what he calls "evangelical rationalists" and "evangelical mystics". What does he mean? Here's another quote: "There is today an evangelical rationalism which is the same doctrine held by the Jewish religion in the day of Jesus. They said the truth is in the word, and if you want to know truth, go to the rabbi and learn the word. If you get the word, you have the truth. That is also the view of evangelical rationalism in our day: 'If you learn the text you've got the truth!' This evangelical rationalism will kill the truth just as quickly as liberalism will, though in a more subtle way. The evangelical rationalist wears our uniform but he insists that the body of truth is all you need. Believe the body of truth and you are on your way to heaven and you cannot backslide and you will get a crown in the last day! I believe the Bible is a living book, a revelation from God. But there must be illumination before revelation can get to your soul. It is not enough that I hold an inspired book in my hands - I must have an inspired heart. Truth has a soul as well as a body!" ("Renewed Day by Day: A Daily Devotional", Feb 28 entry)

The mystics that Tozer states he learned from are: Nicholas Herman (a.k.a., Brother Lawrence) whose work "The Practice of the Presence of God" is a renowned classic; Nicholas of Cusa, author of "On Learned Ignorance" and other mystical treatises (See his Selected Spiritual Writings in the Classics of Western Spirituality series); Frederick Faber, author of "The Creator and the Creature" among other works; Meister Eckhart who is considered a heavyweight in mysticism (see translations of his works by McGinn and Walshe); Fenelon, a French mystic & friend of Madame Guyon; and Cambridge Platonist John Smith, author of Select Discourses (1660). I have major works by all of these mystical writers and sought them out because of the impact they had on Tozer who had an impact on me.

Rating:
Summary: Righteous Discontent Spoken with Grace and Direction
Review: The Divine Conquest will bring life challenging words to all who read it. A.W. Tozer was a man not content with the way things were, and though he voices this in the book, it is more the Father's discontent than his own. With piercing words and wonderful truths, Tozer brings to light a great revelation of who our God is and how we can be used of Him to change from "the norm" to the days of His power being displayed through His people again. This book will call you to holiness and inspire a passion for God alone within you. A must read book, and thanks to Amazon for a great price. Don't pass this one up.

Rating:
Summary: The Conquering Savior
Review: This book, originally published as "The Divine Conquest," takes up where "The Pursuit of God" leaves off. Tozer speaks powerfully and movingly of the God who seeks after His creatures. While "The Pursuit of God" focuses on man's hunger for God, "The Pursuit of Man" focuses on the doctrine of prevenient grace--or God's election and sovereign calling of man. But don't read this book expecting some dry theological treatise--Tozer isn't satisfied with describing God's sovereign work of salvation in theological terms, he wants this truth to be living and active in the lives of all who are willing to recieve it.

The first half of the book speaks passionately of God's desire for man to be saved and the action He takes as He pursues or "conquers over" sinful man. The second half of the book deals with the sanctification of the one God has chosen, the power and promise of the indwelling Spirit, and the blessing of the Spirit-filled life.

Tozer (an Arminian) strikes a wonderful balance between Calvinism's absolute election and Arminianism's self-service salvation. His stance will seem weak to the stringent Calvinist and uncomfortable to the staunch Arminian, but he plainly and forcefully sets forth the truth declared in the scripture: that before man may seek God, God must first seek man. His seamless movement from the election of God to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit within those chosen of God is both refreshing and welcome in a day of rationalism and pragmatic theology. Tozer always places God in His rightful place of glory and honor. Whatever theological persuasion you may be--Calvinist or Arminian, Charismatic or Cessationist--you cannot walk away from Tozer's writings without having caught a glimpse of the glory of the Almighty and the beauty of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Rating:
Summary: The Conquering Savior
Review: This book, originally published as "The Divine Conquest," takes up where "The Pursuit of God" leaves off. Tozer speaks powerfully and movingly of the God who seeks after His creatures. While "The Pursuit of God" focuses on man's hunger for God, "The Pursuit of Man" focuses on the doctrine of prevenient grace--or God's election and sovereign calling of man. But don't read this book expecting some dry theological treatise--Tozer isn't satisfied with describing God's sovereign work of salvation in theological terms, he wants this truth to be living and active in the lives of all who are willing to recieve it.

The first half of the book speaks passionately of God's desire for man to be saved and the action He takes as He pursues or "conquers over" sinful man. The second half of the book deals with the sanctification of the one God has chosen, the power and promise of the indwelling Spirit, and the blessing of the Spirit-filled life.

Tozer (an Arminian) strikes a wonderful balance between Calvinism's absolute election and Arminianism's self-service salvation. His stance will seem weak to the stringent Calvinist and uncomfortable to the staunch Arminian, but he plainly and forcefully sets forth the truth declared in the scripture: that before man may seek God, God must first seek man. His seamless movement from the election of God to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit within those chosen of God is both refreshing and welcome in a day of rationalism and pragmatic theology. Tozer always places God in His rightful place of glory and honor. Whatever theological persuasion you may be--Calvinist or Arminian, Charismatic or Cessationist--you cannot walk away from Tozer's writings without having caught a glimpse of the glory of the Almighty and the beauty of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Rating:
Summary: Advice From a Spiritual Giant
Review: Tozer was a prolific reader and writer. He had something of substance to say, not simply due to this interactive form of communication, but because he was also a Christian leader who overcame the trials of life. Although Tozer was a man of action, like other men of action he knew the secret was in cultivating a relationship with his Creator. He tells us "The man who would know God must give time to Him. He must count no time wasted which is spent in the cultivation of His acquaintance. He must give himself to meditation and prayer hours on end." That is the secret of Tozer's ability to communication truths that are permanent.

He goes on to point out that the people who made lasting contributions were the ones who experienced an encounter with God. He reminds us that "God hates artificiality and pretense."

Tozer's reflects hit the spot. He writes in such a way that a reader is inspired to meditate himself. This book will help you to focus on what is significant. I highly recommend it.