Reflections on A. W. Tozer’s “God’s Pursuit of Man”

Reflections on A. W. Tozer’s “God’s Pursuit of Man”

During the previous few weeks, I spent time reading God’s Pursuit of Man, a work of A. W. Tozer. His book directed me toward deeper thinking of truths that I had been aware of but perhaps had neglected. I aim with this post to provide and encourage you with some of his emphases from his book. It is my opinion that I (along with those reading) would benefit much to critically think on what Tozer seemed to think mattered much to those who pursue the God of Jesus.

The Eternal Continuum of God

First, Tozer emphasized the eternal continuum of God, that is, that God has always existed, he will always exist, and he surely exists at this moment. It is a truth that Tozer believed had been so well affirmed by the populace that its significance is no longer acknowledged. That God has, is, and will exist is important, and Tozer draws attention to God’s being present. He wrote, “We habitually stand in our now and look back by faith to see the past filled with God. We look forward and see him inhabiting our future; but our now is uninhabited except for ourselves.” One correction to his way of thinking is to understand that God is a present God who can be encountered and experienced today. He writes that for many of us, “we have substituted theological ideas for an arresting encounter; we are full of religious notions, but our great weakness is that for our hearts there is no one there.” He alludes to the idea that we far too quickly treasure the past than look to our present where God is continuing to do his creative and redemptive work in our lives as he has done from the beginning.

I encourage that we seek to experience God. The Scripture is a good place to begin, as we pray and seek God in our hearts. Religious ideas and a knowledge of biblical books and themes will not suffice.

In Word, or in Power

Second, Tozer drew attention to the power that is the Holy Spirit who affects the lives of those whom he wills. Paul and his companions wrote to the church in Thessalonica that “our good news came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” There are two ways, according to Tozer, to receive the message of Christianity. Either one can receive it “in word only, without power, or in word with power.” It can be, Tozer wrote that those within the church can treat religion as a game with certain rules and artificial expectations. This is evident, in that “no one is basically any different from what he had been before.” While religion may make some changes to one’s life, “the changes are in form only, they are not in kind.” Those who receive the good news of Jesus without power may make minor changes, but they will not be changed internally. Selfishness is still at the heart of that one, though they may “trim the hedges” and look “presentable,” they are truly no different. Yet, there is hope for those who receive the good news of Jesus with power. “The God who by the word of the gospel proclaims men free, by the power of the gospel actually makes them free.” This act “is an act of God without human aid, for it is a moral miracle and a spiritual resurrection.”

Consider whether you have been changed, your heart and its desires, from selfishness to selflessness evidenced by a love for God and his people. Understand that we as humans do not contribute to God’s changing of our hearts, but he does this to us. Let us ask him to perform this miracle in us in faith that he graciously will.

The Mystery of the Call

Third, Tozer demonstrates that God initiates relationship with humanity and humanity’s continuation in relationship. Tozer presents two kingdoms, God’s and humanity’s. In God’s kingdom, he reigns over all (Psa. 115:3). While humans do not have as much control as they think, they still seem to, for a time, rule over the earth. Humans decide and do as they please. Yet, Tozer writes that this is not how the kingdom of God works. God decides in his kingdom. In God’s kingdom, the Holy Spirit leads and decides. It is Tozer’s plea that we submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in leading and deciding for the church.

Know that the Holy Spirit is the one who leads, calls, and decides those who submit to God’s kingdom.

The Forgotten One

It is the Holy Spirit that Tozer describes as the Forgotten One. “The idea of the Spirit held by the average church member is so vague as to nearly be non-existent.” While we may acknowledge the Holy Spirit in “formal creed,” the failure is in our “working creed.” It is in Tozer’s discussion of the Holy Spirit that he even more emphasizes experiencing God. He writes, “In religion more than in any other field of human experience a sharp distinction must be made between knowing about and knowing.” He cites John 17:3 which reads, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” He demonstrates that it is not written “this is eternal life, that they may knowabout you…” The Holy Spirit is God, and he penetrates the human spirit that one may know God fully and experientially.

Have we truly experienced God in the Holy Spirit? Be assured that you must not merely know about God, but you must know God.

Why the World Cannot Receive

Laced within my previous reflection is the idea that Tozer provides toward the end of his work. He writes that “the Christian faith…teaches the complete antithesis between the church and the world.” The Scripture is clear, writes Tozer, and he cites John 7:6-7 in proving his point. “Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.” Tozer writes, then, “the difficulty we modern Christians face is not misunderstanding the Bible, but persuading our untamed hearts to accept its plain instructions.” The instructions to separate from the world, that is, those who do not believe and follow the commands of Jesus, must be followed by those who truly have experienced the Holy Spirit.

Examine your association with things that are not good, things that are “worldly” which do not promote a faith in God and repentance from sin. 

Receiving This Blog Post

I encourage you to reflect on this reflection God’s Pursuit of Man. God exists now, and he is continuing to create in mankind new hearts by the Holy Spirit, different from the world, leading men by the Holy Spirit to experience the true God who has sent Jesus into the world that he might give us grace.