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Of God and Men: Cultivating the Divine/Human Relationship by A. W. Tozer
The title of this book gives sufficient indication of what the reader will find i n it. God and men and their relation to each other. This I believe to be all that really matters in this world, and that is what I have written about here. As confirmed believer in the Man Christ Jesus as Redeemer and Lord my thoughts naturally arrange themselves around Christ, His teachings, His claims and His Church. To my fellow pilgrims on the way to Zion I offer this book for whatever good they may be able to extract from it. And to our Lord be the praise always.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
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About the author
A.W. Tozer
657 books2,128 followersAiden Wilson Tozer was an American evangelical pastor, speaker, writer, and editor. After coming to Christ at the age of seventeen, Tozer found his way into the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination where he served for over forty years. In 1950, he was appointed by the denomination's General Council to be the editor of "The Alliance Witness" (now "Alliance Life").
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 10, 2024
This collection of forty short editorials from Tozer do not represent his best writing (they are far inferior to The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy) and are uneven in quality. And Tozer’s reactionary and fundamentalist attitudes come through pretty strongly at times. Nevertheless, there are a few gems to be mined from these pages. The chapter on “spiritual symmetry” (chapter 18) is quite good. And Tozer is at his best when instructing readers about cultivating simplicity and solitude (chapter 31).
February 15, 2025
Great book! This book that was first published in 1960 still speaks to the modern Christian. Within one of the dense chapters he describes how the Christian can get off course in seeking the wrong things and emphasizes this: to seek to be Holy and close to God over pursuing to be happy. And in turn the closer you grow with God your joy will follow
Two great quotes form the book are:
“We have been trying to substitute praying for obeying and it simply will not work”
“No one for whom Christ died can be common or worthless”
Two great quotes form the book are:
“We have been trying to substitute praying for obeying and it simply will not work”
“No one for whom Christ died can be common or worthless”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2024
Difficult to review Tozer’s works. In places they are simply stunning; he is able to help me love God so much more with his insights about His character. He is also very insightful into the state of the church and its unique temptations to fall into tribes and fear of man like cultures.
But the book isn’t really a book but a collection of essays; which at time felt disjointed and therefore slightly frustrating to read.
But the book isn’t really a book but a collection of essays; which at time felt disjointed and therefore slightly frustrating to read.
January 13, 2024
The book is more thought by thought with chapters rather than an easy flow. Lots of good info, not something I would read in one sitting. Tozer still has a lot of truth we can learn from.
November 28, 2017
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Moody Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
This book consists of 40 short chapters that are focused on the theme of the relationship between God and mankind. It must be noted that this book is fairly unsparing in its view of the weakness of the contemporary Christian message in the absence of a firm commitment to obedience. This is a book it is easier to admire than it is to like, and one wonders if this is frequently the case given the author's body of work as a whole [1]. This book has all of the signs of being written by someone who is skilled at being a critic and who can diagnose the flaws and faults of our society especially those who profess Christianity but whose evidence of Christ living within them is slight to nonexistent. If one sees oneself as one of the people the author is not critiquing rather harshly, there is a certain feeling of accomplishment, but one gets the feeling that the author was a person who remained rather emotionally remote from others and was not a warm and fuzzy person, as this book is evidence of someone who speaks with truth but without a lot of love.
The forty chapters of this book take up about 160 pages and manage to hit home with some tough statements. The author points out how we need men of God again, and that Christ's words were for Christians. He expresses a great deal of skepticism in genuine Christianity being popular for large parts of society given the rebelliousness of mankind against God's ways, something this book discusses in a wide variety of ways. The author shows a great deal of understanding about the corruption of people and the way that books corrupt and that false metaphors give people wrong ideas about how God works with people and how knowledge that is kept in the head that never becomes a part of practice ultimately is without purpose or worth. This is a message delivered somewhat fiercely by a cerebral person to others who would likely share the same vulnerability. To be sure, this book is one that does a great job in reminding believers of the difficulty of genuine Christianity and the way that holiness must precede happiness, something that is especially pointed in the current generation.
A reader's opinion of this book is likely to depend a great deal on what the reader is looking for. If you want the truth and are not concerned that the truth about holiness and obedience is phrased politely, or that it mentions biblical law rather than general discussions of moral standards in one's disposition, there is a great deal to appreciate here. Like the author's work as a whole, this book is a strong exhortation and is highly critical of some of the negative tendencies of contemporary society that the author was able to recognize ahead of time with a striking degree of insight. There is a lot of encouragement that one can get from a book like this if one values corrective sorts of reading. One could easily see, though, how such an author who is so focused on analyzing and critiquing societal trends and whose focus is on holiness could seem a remote person to others and not the sort of warm and engaging person that people feel truly at home with. This is a book one respects and the person behind it was likely someone of a great deal of severity that one could admire, but which one wishes the author might have reflected more on himself as a way of being less judgmental to the outside world.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
This book consists of 40 short chapters that are focused on the theme of the relationship between God and mankind. It must be noted that this book is fairly unsparing in its view of the weakness of the contemporary Christian message in the absence of a firm commitment to obedience. This is a book it is easier to admire than it is to like, and one wonders if this is frequently the case given the author's body of work as a whole [1]. This book has all of the signs of being written by someone who is skilled at being a critic and who can diagnose the flaws and faults of our society especially those who profess Christianity but whose evidence of Christ living within them is slight to nonexistent. If one sees oneself as one of the people the author is not critiquing rather harshly, there is a certain feeling of accomplishment, but one gets the feeling that the author was a person who remained rather emotionally remote from others and was not a warm and fuzzy person, as this book is evidence of someone who speaks with truth but without a lot of love.
The forty chapters of this book take up about 160 pages and manage to hit home with some tough statements. The author points out how we need men of God again, and that Christ's words were for Christians. He expresses a great deal of skepticism in genuine Christianity being popular for large parts of society given the rebelliousness of mankind against God's ways, something this book discusses in a wide variety of ways. The author shows a great deal of understanding about the corruption of people and the way that books corrupt and that false metaphors give people wrong ideas about how God works with people and how knowledge that is kept in the head that never becomes a part of practice ultimately is without purpose or worth. This is a message delivered somewhat fiercely by a cerebral person to others who would likely share the same vulnerability. To be sure, this book is one that does a great job in reminding believers of the difficulty of genuine Christianity and the way that holiness must precede happiness, something that is especially pointed in the current generation.
A reader's opinion of this book is likely to depend a great deal on what the reader is looking for. If you want the truth and are not concerned that the truth about holiness and obedience is phrased politely, or that it mentions biblical law rather than general discussions of moral standards in one's disposition, there is a great deal to appreciate here. Like the author's work as a whole, this book is a strong exhortation and is highly critical of some of the negative tendencies of contemporary society that the author was able to recognize ahead of time with a striking degree of insight. There is a lot of encouragement that one can get from a book like this if one values corrective sorts of reading. One could easily see, though, how such an author who is so focused on analyzing and critiquing societal trends and whose focus is on holiness could seem a remote person to others and not the sort of warm and engaging person that people feel truly at home with. This is a book one respects and the person behind it was likely someone of a great deal of severity that one could admire, but which one wishes the author might have reflected more on himself as a way of being less judgmental to the outside world.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
January 26, 2018
Excellent... as always with Tozer!
March 17, 2017
This title is not as well-known as many of A.W. Tozer’s other volumes. Don’t let that lack of fame fool you as it has all the qualities that we have come to love in Mr. Tozer. In fact, even more than some of his other books he lived up to his title of modern-day prophet here. A few times he even sounded angry at our casual, carnal Christianity. He couldn’t suffer spiritual foolishness easily.
At 167 pages, this book is an easy, yet profound read. The chapters are short, but pack a punch. He knew God from the Scriptures and personal relationship and he knew men from his own heart and ministering to others. His clear perceptions sparkle on every page.
I’m sure what sticks out to me may not be the same thing that sticks out to you, but several things did stick out to me. I love his chapter on holiness before happiness. He compares Christians to soldiers who do not seek to be happy on the battlefield, but who seek to get the war over with so he can go home to his loved ones. Home is where you’ll find happiness. His point is that we be a good soldier no matter what as we have great happiness to come.
Another favorite chapter was on how not all faith pleases God. He said, “let us beware that the Jesus we ‘accept’ is not one we have created out of the dust of our imagination and formed after our own likeness”. I also loved the chapter on backing into our convictions. One other chapter that I especially appreciated was the one on cultivating simplicity and solitude. There he admonished us to avoid the “digest type of mind” that loves short facts. Wow, if he could see us now!
This is another great Tozer title that will bless your soul.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
At 167 pages, this book is an easy, yet profound read. The chapters are short, but pack a punch. He knew God from the Scriptures and personal relationship and he knew men from his own heart and ministering to others. His clear perceptions sparkle on every page.
I’m sure what sticks out to me may not be the same thing that sticks out to you, but several things did stick out to me. I love his chapter on holiness before happiness. He compares Christians to soldiers who do not seek to be happy on the battlefield, but who seek to get the war over with so he can go home to his loved ones. Home is where you’ll find happiness. His point is that we be a good soldier no matter what as we have great happiness to come.
Another favorite chapter was on how not all faith pleases God. He said, “let us beware that the Jesus we ‘accept’ is not one we have created out of the dust of our imagination and formed after our own likeness”. I also loved the chapter on backing into our convictions. One other chapter that I especially appreciated was the one on cultivating simplicity and solitude. There he admonished us to avoid the “digest type of mind” that loves short facts. Wow, if he could see us now!
This is another great Tozer title that will bless your soul.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
June 16, 2018
This is a collection of short essays that challenge the reader to engage in a thoughtful and in-depth analysis of their faith, beliefs, and daily life. So many challenges that the society and individuals were struggling with and trying to make sense of in the 1950s, when the book was written, remain just as true today:
- Value of commitment ("God will not revive mice. He will not fill rabbits with the Holy Ghost.")
- Leadership and humility ("In this day when shimmering personalities carry on the Lord's work after the methods of the entertainment world...")
- Relevance of theological teachings to day-to-day affairs ("There is scarcely anything so dull and meaningless as Bible doctrine taught for its own sake.")
- Interaction with culture ("We carry on our religious activities after the methods of the modern advertisers.")
- Prevalence of media ("Our homes have been turned into theaters... And scarcely anyone appears to care.")
- Sincerity of convictions ("I have longed believed that a man who spurns the Christian faith outright is more respected before God and the heavenly powers than the man who pretends to religion but refuses to come under its total domination. The first is an over enemy, the second a false friend. It is the latter who will be spued out of the mouth of Christ; and the reason is not hard to understand."
- Why there is so much evil in the world? ("...rather it should stir us to find out why our prayers are not answered... The reason for God's obvious refusal to send revival may lie deep, but surely not too deep to discover.")
- What will Russia do next? ("Is our sense of security dependent upon the turn of events in Washington or Moscow?")
As I read the book, I often asked: Did A.W. Tozer have a vision of our world or is it just that things don't really change that much?
- Value of commitment ("God will not revive mice. He will not fill rabbits with the Holy Ghost.")
- Leadership and humility ("In this day when shimmering personalities carry on the Lord's work after the methods of the entertainment world...")
- Relevance of theological teachings to day-to-day affairs ("There is scarcely anything so dull and meaningless as Bible doctrine taught for its own sake.")
- Interaction with culture ("We carry on our religious activities after the methods of the modern advertisers.")
- Prevalence of media ("Our homes have been turned into theaters... And scarcely anyone appears to care.")
- Sincerity of convictions ("I have longed believed that a man who spurns the Christian faith outright is more respected before God and the heavenly powers than the man who pretends to religion but refuses to come under its total domination. The first is an over enemy, the second a false friend. It is the latter who will be spued out of the mouth of Christ; and the reason is not hard to understand."
- Why there is so much evil in the world? ("...rather it should stir us to find out why our prayers are not answered... The reason for God's obvious refusal to send revival may lie deep, but surely not too deep to discover.")
- What will Russia do next? ("Is our sense of security dependent upon the turn of events in Washington or Moscow?")
As I read the book, I often asked: Did A.W. Tozer have a vision of our world or is it just that things don't really change that much?
March 8, 2022
This is, for the most part, average Tozer which means that it is filled with above average insights and wisdom. Chapters are unrelated and somewhat random snippets which Ping-Pong all over the map of the Christian life. For example, in the chapter entitled "The Cross Does Interfere," he says, "Truth is a hard mistress. She never consults, bargains or compromises. She cries from the top of the high places, 'Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.' After that, every man is on his own. He may accept or refuse, receive or set at naught as he pleases; and there will be no attempt at coercion, though the man's whole destiny is at stake." This is typical Tozer: sharp, insightful, to your heart and brilliantly penned. I could go on all day, but another would be, "The present state of the human race before God is probationary. The world is on trial. The voice of God sounds over the earth, 'Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Choose you this day." Few write with such insight, clarity and force.
April 18, 2022
Of God and Men is basically a collation of loosely related furious Tozer rants. They were brilliant.
Tozer must be among the most incisive Christian authors in recent history. His writing is flavoured with the "fiery love... and poured-out devotion to the Person of Christ" that he calls for. I can't read Tozer without feeling absolutely passionate myself, even "a little bit angry with the world" and feeling a deep conviction of my own sin against Almighty God.
Along with the rants were some less fiery but equally articulate thoughts on what it means to wait in silence for the salvation of the Lord, and thoughts on the Beatific Vision: when we see Christ - the image of the invisible God - face to face.
I'll definitely return to this book.
Tozer must be among the most incisive Christian authors in recent history. His writing is flavoured with the "fiery love... and poured-out devotion to the Person of Christ" that he calls for. I can't read Tozer without feeling absolutely passionate myself, even "a little bit angry with the world" and feeling a deep conviction of my own sin against Almighty God.
Along with the rants were some less fiery but equally articulate thoughts on what it means to wait in silence for the salvation of the Lord, and thoughts on the Beatific Vision: when we see Christ - the image of the invisible God - face to face.
I'll definitely return to this book.
April 27, 2021
This book! It’s brilliant and eye-opening. A.W Tozer is the most incredible man of God and to hear scripture broken down in this way is life changing.
The chapters are small, which is great for a short read or for journaling/devotionals.
Even if you don’t believe in God or have never gone church, I challenge you to read this book with an open mind.
“The glory of the gospel is its freedom.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The chapters are small, which is great for a short read or for journaling/devotionals.
Even if you don’t believe in God or have never gone church, I challenge you to read this book with an open mind.
“The glory of the gospel is its freedom.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 4, 2017
Admittedly I bought this book because I liked the cover design, but as always, Tozer managed to deliver with the actual content.
His cunning insight into human nature, the modern church and the character of God has held up quite well for the most part over the last six decades.
His cunning insight into human nature, the modern church and the character of God has held up quite well for the most part over the last six decades.
January 30, 2019
I can’t believe how beautifullyTozer touches on the most harmful things to a Christians life and they way he examines our propensities to fall for small little compromises that then turns out to be a full rebellion against God. Just loved it! It’s a must read!
March 31, 2021
“That faith which passively accepts all the pleasant texts of the Scriptures while it overlooks or rejects the stern warnings and commandments of those same Scriptures is not the faith of which Christ and His apostles spoke.” — A.W. Tozer
Love this read!
Love this read!
January 3, 2024
As common to Tozer this is a spiritually provoking work. It holds many thoughts that motivate toward a closer walk with Christ. It's a good read. You will be challenged and encouraged to walk closer to God. I recommend it.
July 7, 2019
Very challenging. Some things I needed to hear and/or be reminded of.
November 22, 2023
love just about everything he wrote
April 20, 2024
This read differently than 25 years ago, when I first read it. His description of the “busy” life still rings true, along with his therapeutic approach to avoiding it.
December 31, 2025
I really liked this one. Challenging and encouraging. Definitely one I'll keep around to read periodically.
October 8, 2023
Might be old fashioned but still relevant. But missing reference to bible verse to check...
July 23, 2011
Some very good insights by Tozer. Well worth the read.
January 19, 2017
I think that this was one of the better ones from Tozer, or it just spoke to me where I am right now. As always I highly recommend Tozer!
May 23, 2013
A collection of short punchy pieces. It is great material, with a gem in nearly every chapter. Not quite as good as The Pursuit of God or Knowledge of the Holy but still well worth reading.
February 16, 2016
A good easy read. Not as good as other works of his.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews