I had been searching for a book to increase the depth of my knowledge, understanding, and experience of God.
Instead, I found three-in-one spiritual classics of A. W. Tozer. While I knew taking on these three books would be an undertaking with all of life’s other current obligations, I was incredibly excited to go on this journey.
And I wasn’t disappointed.
About the Author – A.W. Tozer
A. W. TOZER (1897-1963) began his lifelong pursuit of God after hearing a street preacher in Akron, Ohio, at the age of seventeen. Reportedly, the street preacher said, “If you don’t know how to be saved, just call on God.” Tozer went home and did just that.
The self-taught theologian committed his life to the ministry of God’s Word as a pastor, teacher, and writer. Tozer wrote many books that cut through religion and instead to the heart of faith.
For more information and more of Tozer’s writing, visit awtozer.org.
Knowledge of the Holy
The first book of the three-in-one is Knowledge of the Holy. It was originally published in 1961, just two years before Tozer died. Knowledge of the Holy focuses on an in-depth journey to understand the attributes of God. And then what each quality means regarding who God is as well as how that then effects us. Tozer is fantastic at providing biblical insight and well as intellectual understanding to piece together our knowledge of God – albeit minuscule in comparison to the subject being matter.
I have to admit the beginning of the book took a bit for me to settle into. It became abundantly clear very early on that this wasn’t going to be a light read or one I was going to be able to read at a quick pace.
Tozer presents information in a way that you want to ruminate, ponder, study, and pray over.
And the further I got into the book the more I found myself wanting to take time away to read it.
The word present, of course, means here, close to, next to, and the prefix omni gives it universality. God is everywhere here, close to everything, next to everyone.
Few other truths are taught in the Scrptures with as great clarity as the doctrine of the divine omnipresenece. Those passages supporting this truth are so plain that it would take considerable effort to misunderstand them. They declare that God is immanent in His creation, that there is no place in heaven or earth or hell where men may hid from His presence.
~ A.W. Tozer
(Three Spiritual Classics in One Volume – pg. 129)
The Pursuit of God
I thoroughly enjoyed going from Knowledge of the Holy to The Pursuit of God. Even though The Pursuit of God was originally published in 1948, I felt like it was better suited as the second of the three. Knowledge of the Holy gave me greater depth into the awe and wonder of God, The Pursuit of God then provided the many ways to honestly pursue and keep my eyes fixed on Him.
Tozer again provided ample biblical reference as well as profound intellectual insights that caused me to both nod and reflect. While Tozer originally wrote this book in 1948, I felt like it was just as relevant as if it were published this year.
Believing, then, is directing the heart’s attention to Jesus. It is lifting the mind to “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives. At first this may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we look steadily at His wondrous person, quietly and without strain. Distractions may hinder, but once the heart is committed to Him, after each brief excursion away from Hi, the attention will return again and rest upon Him like a wandering bird coming back to its window.
~ A.W. Tozer
(Three Spiritual Classics in One Volume – pg. 296)
God’s Pursuit of Man
God’s Pursuit of Man is a lovely ending for these three spiritual classics. Tozer takes the reader in-depth into biblical references to help us understand God’s pursuit of us through the Holy Spirit.
As I stated about The Pursuit of God, God’s Pursuit of Man is just as relevant to as it was when Tozer wrote it in 1950. Maybe even more. Many churches and Christians shy away from discussion and teaching about the Holy Spirit. Tozer takes a direct approach in addressing that error.
Our blunder (or shall we frankly say our sin?) has been to neglect the doctrine of the Spirit to a point where we virtually deny Him His place in the Godhead. This denial has not been by open doctrinal statement, for we have clung closely enough to the biblical position wherever our dedal pronouncements are concerned. Our formal creed is sound; the breakdown is in our working creed.
~ A.W. Tozer
(Three Spiritual Classics in One Volume – pg. 396)
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend this collection of books for anyone that is wanting to dig deeper into their understanding of God and in doing so, strengthen their spiritual relationship with Him!
My advice while reading the books is to take your time. Allow Tozer’s information to seep into your mind, heart, and soul!
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by Moody Publishers in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
For more of my book reviews check-out posts in the book review tab.
God bless!
Melissa
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Tozer has this way of hitting you right between the eyes–so profound! Your advice on reading it slowly and thoughtfully is good advice, as the reading I have done of his thus far would encourage that. I haven’t read this all-in-one collection, but I need to. Thanks for the review!
He does hit you right between the eyes in the most challenging, yet wonderful ways! If you get the chance, I hope you enjoy the collection. God bless, Laura!
that sounds good! I have heard of and read bits and pieces of what A.W. Tozer has written I’ve never read any of his books.
They were so good and worth the time put in to gain the knowledge and growth! Thank you for stopping by and God bless!
Yes, I love A.W. Tozer! I have found that reading Tozer is somewhat slow as there is so much to take in but it is all so, so good. Thank you for linking up over at GraceFull Tuesday!
There is so much to take in, which is why I think some people are intimidated to tackle his books (I was!) but if you walk into the books with the understanding that it is about gaining truth and knowledge, not about checking a “read it” box, it’s worth the journey! Thank you for stopping by, Ronja. God bless!
I love Tozer! He is one of my favorite Christian authors.
I was so glad I took the plunge with this three-in-one volume! So wonderful!
What a great collection of three Christian classics. You can’t go wrong with Tozer. Great review Melissa.
After reading these three, I want to check out some of his other books as well! Thank you for stopping by, Heather. God bless!
I love Tozer! I am humbled every time I read his works. Somehow, I usually end up in tears 🙂 A great review and I hope others come to enjoy his writing as well!
I had many a tear rolling down my cheeks while reading the books, too. Thank you for stopping by and reading the review. God bless!
Oh gosh I remember Tozer from my time in bible school. I definitely need to get back into reading his books as it is such good content! Thanks for the review!
They were wonderful! I’m looking forward to checking out some of this others as well. Thank you for stopping by!
This looks like an outstanding compilation. I’m such a great fan, for lack of a better word, of Tozer’s great insight.
I hadn’t read any of Tozer’s work before so I was happy to get to read them in this collection and in the order they were placed. So good!
You’ve inspired me to read Tozer after reading your review of these three classics. Thank you Melissa!
Oh, good! I’m so glad. I hope you love them, Joy! God bless!
Tozer’s works are profound. I’ve re-read several of them and found new insights each time. So grateful for authors who encourage us to gaze upward!
I have no doubt I will be coming back to these classics multiple times!
Whoa! Definitely a book to stir up the Spirit! Thank you for such an excellent review!
Thank you for your kind words, Carolyn! It is a powerful collection of books for spiritual growth! I hope you enjoy them. God bless!
Thanks for sharing! Very helpful! Adding it to the reading list!
Thank you, Stephanie. I pray you love them as much as I did!
i found Tozer in college. I remember surprising all my sibs and dad with a copy of The Pursuit of God for Christmas. I haven’t read the third and will ! thanks, Melissa. Have you tried The Seeking heart by Fenelon? A different format. Equalling targeting!
I bet that was a bit of a surprise! No, I have not read The Seeking Heart by Fenelon. I’ll have to check into it. Thank you for the recommendation! God bless, Sue!
My son is a Tozer fan, and my husband just finished another of his books. It’s been decades since I read anything of his. You’ve peaked my interest!
This 3 set volume was the first I had read anything from Tozer, but I’m looking forward to reading some of his other works as well. I always love going back to reread previously enjoyed books to see what new insights I can glean and how my perspective may have shifted. I hope you enjoy them again!