The Pursuit of God

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The Pursuit of God – A.W. Tozer

1. Full Citation

Tozer, A.W. (1948) The Pursuit of God. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc.

2. Introduction

A.W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God is a deeply influential devotional work that urges believers to seek an intimate, experiential relationship with God beyond mere formal religion. Written in a single night during a train journey, the book has become a classic of evangelical spirituality, calling Christians to recover the practice of God’s presence, the hunger of the soul, and the centrality of Christ in daily life. This review evaluates its spiritual intensity, theological value, and lasting relevance in personal formation and ecclesial renewal.

3. Author Background and Credentials

Aiden Wilson Tozer (1897–1963), an American pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance, was known for his prophetic preaching, mystical theology, and spiritual depth. A self-taught thinker, he blended Reformed doctrine with contemplative spirituality and a revivalist tone. Tozer’s ministry challenged the complacency of the 20th-century church and continues to inspire spiritual awakening through works like The Knowledge of the Holy and God’s Pursuit of Man.

4. Summary of Contents

The Pursuit of God is structured into 10 concise chapters, each with a devotional tone and theological underpinning. Key themes include:

  • “Following Hard After God” – A call to holy desire and personal intimacy with the divine.
  • “The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing” – A meditation on detachment, humility, and surrender.
  • “Removing the Veil” – Reflects on barriers between the soul and God, inspired by temple imagery.
  • “Apprehending God” – Stresses the reality of knowing God personally, not merely doctrinally.
  • “The Speaking Voice” – Argues that God still speaks and invites relational listening.

Throughout, Tozer critiques nominal Christianity, emphasises simplicity, and directs believers toward inward communion with God through faith, solitude, and surrender.

5. Critical Evaluation

a. Coherence and Argumentation

The book follows a clear devotional logic rather than formal theological structure. It flows intuitively from desire to encounter, and from encounter to transformation, rooted in Scripture and spiritual insight.

b. Originality and Intellectual Contribution

While Tozer draws on mystics, Puritans, and evangelical tradition, his prophetic tone and contemplative clarity offer a unique synthesis. The book serves not as theological innovation but as spiritual provocation for deeper Christian life.

c. Evidence, Sources, and Method

Scripture is central to each chapter, supplemented by references to figures like Nicholas of Cusa, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Brother Lawrence. Tozer’s method is existential, reflective, and biblically devotional, not scholarly or argumentative.

d. Style and Accessibility

The language is poetic, vivid, and accessible, making profound truths available to lay readers and ministers alike. Its literary and rhetorical strength enhances its devotional impact.

e. Limitations and Critiques

Some may find the work emotionally intense or lacking doctrinal balance, especially those seeking structured theology. Tozer’s critiques of modern evangelicalism can seem harsh, though his urgency is grounded in concern for spiritual authenticity.

6. Comparative Context

This book stands in the lineage of devotional classics such as Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence of God, Thomas à Kempis’s Imitation of Christ, and contemporary works like John Piper’s Desiring God. It also draws implicitly on the mysticism of Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, though reinterpreted through evangelical simplicity.

7. Thematic or Disciplinary Relevance

The Pursuit of God remains central to spiritual formation, discipleship, renewal theology, and devotional praxis. It is widely used in church retreats, theological education, and personal spiritual growth programmes.

8. Reflection or Practical Application

The book inspires prayer, humility, solitude, and surrender. Many readers report renewed intimacy with God and a call to set aside distraction for deeper communion. It has been instrumental in spiritual awakenings and mission movements.

9. Conclusion

The Pursuit of God is a devotional classic that transcends its time, offering timeless insights into the soul’s longing for divine presence. Tozer challenges believers to go beyond belief into encounter, beyond religion into relationship.

Recommended for: All Christians seeking renewal, leaders fostering spiritual depth, and anyone longing for a vibrant life in God’s presence.

10. Other Works by the Same Author

  • The Knowledge of the Holy – Exploration of God’s attributes.
  • God’s Pursuit of Man – On the initiating grace of God in salvation.
  • Born After Midnight – Essays on revival and spiritual passion.

11. Similar Books by Other Authors

  • Brother Lawrence – The Practice of the Presence of God
  • John Piper – Desiring God
  • Dallas Willard – The Spirit of the Disciplines
  • Thomas à Kempis – The Imitation of Christ

12. References (only if external works are cited)

  • Brother Lawrence (17th c.) The Practice of the Presence of God.
  • Willard, D. (1988) The Spirit of the Disciplines. San Francisco: Harper.
  • Piper, J. (1986) Desiring God. Wheaton: Crossway.
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