What do you think?
Rate this book
Voice of a Prophet: Who Speaks for God?
During his ministry, which included extended pastorates in Chicago and Toronto, Dr. Tozer was often referred to as a prophet. That doesn’t mean he predicted future events, but rather spoke God’s truth to believers and the culture, even if it meant disrupting the status quo. Even in the Bible, prophets were much more likely to hold God’s people and their leaders accountable to the truth of God’s Word than they were to foretell the future. The encouragement in Voice of a Prophet is that the church today is in desperate need of the kind of prophet Tozer embodied and describes in this important new book. Using the lives of such prophets as Elijah, Elisha and John the Baptist, Tozer underscores the importance of the ministry of the prophet in today’s church.
198 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2014
44 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Tozer
664 books2,095 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 16, 2024
“Save me from the curse that lies dark across the modern clergy:
the curse of compromise, of imitation, of professionalism. Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet—not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity.”
Tozer delivers a call to the modern Church to follow in the example of the prophets of old, painting a picture of God's methods of preparing them.
the curse of compromise, of imitation, of professionalism. Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet—not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity.”
Tozer delivers a call to the modern Church to follow in the example of the prophets of old, painting a picture of God's methods of preparing them.
June 15, 2015
Despite a half decade of existence, this book is as prescient for our times as most I've read. Tozer writes with his usual candor and attacks the lethargy that he sees crippling American evangelicals.
The books focuses and various prophets in Scriptures and how their decisions shaped the meaning of devotion to God. There are several moments when the book takes on a form of Christian realism that some would reject as being overly reliant on human effort but the spirit of the appeal is to make your life matter for Christ.
What resonates most with me is his love of the Church and his intolerance of sin. There is no subtlety to Tozer's attacks on compromise and in our times this alone makes the book refreshing. By following key episodes of Elijah, Elisha, Moses and other prophetic figures, the book works on the assumption that their brand of spirituality should be normative for all believers.
His disdain for "promoters" and a call for fiery prophets stirs my own desire for authentic surrender. The direct challenge to proclaim a faithful message with love and boldness gives rise to many memorable quotes. I whole heartedly recommend this book.
The books focuses and various prophets in Scriptures and how their decisions shaped the meaning of devotion to God. There are several moments when the book takes on a form of Christian realism that some would reject as being overly reliant on human effort but the spirit of the appeal is to make your life matter for Christ.
What resonates most with me is his love of the Church and his intolerance of sin. There is no subtlety to Tozer's attacks on compromise and in our times this alone makes the book refreshing. By following key episodes of Elijah, Elisha, Moses and other prophetic figures, the book works on the assumption that their brand of spirituality should be normative for all believers.
His disdain for "promoters" and a call for fiery prophets stirs my own desire for authentic surrender. The direct challenge to proclaim a faithful message with love and boldness gives rise to many memorable quotes. I whole heartedly recommend this book.
January 29, 2021
Un om cucerit de Dumnezeu nu mai poate fi cucerit de altceva, iar umilința câștigă acolo unde forța nu ar putea nicicând. Dumnezeu îl ia în serios pe omul care Îl ia în serios pe Dumnezeu.
A. W. Tozer
A. W. Tozer
January 21, 2021
One of the best books I have ever read. I underlined half of the book. The message is as ever-needed as when it was written.
May 19, 2020
The content of this book is from decades ago but you could have told me it was written last year and it would have still sounded spot on. (Side note: it made me think that “it ain’t the way it used to be” is an ongoing complaint in the church.)
This book should hurt you in a good way. Inspiring and convicting, Tozer speaks with insight and authority about what God called the prophets of the Bible to do and say, and what he calls them to do today. I don’t mean “predicting the future” type of people (which is often just a farce), but those called to speak the word of the Lord.
All Christians have been called to be Christ’s ambassadors, so even if you don’t make a career out of speaking, you should be challenged and encouraged by this book.
This book should hurt you in a good way. Inspiring and convicting, Tozer speaks with insight and authority about what God called the prophets of the Bible to do and say, and what he calls them to do today. I don’t mean “predicting the future” type of people (which is often just a farce), but those called to speak the word of the Lord.
All Christians have been called to be Christ’s ambassadors, so even if you don’t make a career out of speaking, you should be challenged and encouraged by this book.
February 20, 2015
I really enjoyed Tozer's conviction and sincerity. He leaves no room for marginal, comfortable Christianity. I think he's too prone to speak in absolutes but he's right far more often than not. His writing is highly convicting, if for no other reason than to wonder why one isn't as passionate about God as he is.
February 2, 2021
Need a good Holy Spirit stirring? Then this is the book for you.
The church has never had a more desperate hour than today. But sadly, most Christians are asleep or deceived by the politically correct, seeker-sensitive pap that passes for preaching in the post-modern Church World.
I actually purchased Voice of a Prophet because I was already familiar with many of AW Tozer's powerful books and messages and, quite simply, I needed to be roused from my lethargic, Americanized church mindset.
We are living in the final days of this present age and need to prepare our hearts for the return of Christ. If you are stuck in a carnal, religious rut, by all means, read this book!
Tozer's Voice of a Prophet is a challenge to Churches and Pastors to draw near to God and speak His Word with a renewed passion for souls and soul-winning. In this mighty book, Tozer looks at key prophetic voices in the Bible and shows how they stood apart from the religious voices of their day to speak the unvarnished Word of God. Reading it reminded me of just how comfortable I had gotten in my faith walk over the last several years. I gleaned a couple of powerful sermons from this. That alone is enough to make any man of God want to read a good book. But most importantly, I felt challenged and refreshed by the time I was done.
Not because this book was a comfortable read but for the opposite reason: It was a challenging word that changed something in me. And like a challenging work-out routine, I felt refreshed by the experience even if it did sometimes hurt my pride and ego.
Read this book, Church! We need this message now more than ever... because we need the Voice of a Prophet in our pulpits again more than ever.
Be blessed.
The church has never had a more desperate hour than today. But sadly, most Christians are asleep or deceived by the politically correct, seeker-sensitive pap that passes for preaching in the post-modern Church World.
I actually purchased Voice of a Prophet because I was already familiar with many of AW Tozer's powerful books and messages and, quite simply, I needed to be roused from my lethargic, Americanized church mindset.
We are living in the final days of this present age and need to prepare our hearts for the return of Christ. If you are stuck in a carnal, religious rut, by all means, read this book!
Tozer's Voice of a Prophet is a challenge to Churches and Pastors to draw near to God and speak His Word with a renewed passion for souls and soul-winning. In this mighty book, Tozer looks at key prophetic voices in the Bible and shows how they stood apart from the religious voices of their day to speak the unvarnished Word of God. Reading it reminded me of just how comfortable I had gotten in my faith walk over the last several years. I gleaned a couple of powerful sermons from this. That alone is enough to make any man of God want to read a good book. But most importantly, I felt challenged and refreshed by the time I was done.
Not because this book was a comfortable read but for the opposite reason: It was a challenging word that changed something in me. And like a challenging work-out routine, I felt refreshed by the experience even if it did sometimes hurt my pride and ego.
Read this book, Church! We need this message now more than ever... because we need the Voice of a Prophet in our pulpits again more than ever.
Be blessed.
January 7, 2022
I found this book challenging in a good way. It does encourage one toward a closer walk with God. I placed it in my ten favorite non-fiction list I read in 2021. This is definitely going on my re-read list.
Prophecy (as in the existence of modern day prophets) is a debated issue. My upbringing is in groups that believe there are no prophets after the New Testament was completed, while others believe it is going on today. Tozer's focus doesn't quite fit either camp perfectly. The writing of this book seems to give the impression God still calls prophets, but it doesn't look like what I see in the modern movements that believe prophecy is still going on.
This book was published and edited post-humously by James L. Snyder from sermons and other writing of Tozer. This may not be as strong as Tozer's classics like "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy", but I still recommend it.
Prophecy (as in the existence of modern day prophets) is a debated issue. My upbringing is in groups that believe there are no prophets after the New Testament was completed, while others believe it is going on today. Tozer's focus doesn't quite fit either camp perfectly. The writing of this book seems to give the impression God still calls prophets, but it doesn't look like what I see in the modern movements that believe prophecy is still going on.
This book was published and edited post-humously by James L. Snyder from sermons and other writing of Tozer. This may not be as strong as Tozer's classics like "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy", but I still recommend it.
April 25, 2023
I love the writings of A. W. Tozer - so deep and thought provoking. This book is a collection of never-before-published writings. I appreciate what he wrote but it was missing the “Tozer” feeling…not sure what was off or different. Maybe the editing made it seem more “modern”? Definitely recommend reading it, however, to be reminded God always has prophets proclaiming His truth. In a time of so many self-proclaimed prophets, Tozer reminds us to be cautious and skeptical as we look at their lives and fruit.
January 2, 2021
Very Applicable to Today’s Church
I read this book with my husband and it sparked so many discussions to encourage us on our spiritual walk. We were amazed at how many statements Tozer made in his time that sounded like he was talking about the very things we are seeing today. It was an easy read and definitely worth it.
I read this book with my husband and it sparked so many discussions to encourage us on our spiritual walk. We were amazed at how many statements Tozer made in his time that sounded like he was talking about the very things we are seeing today. It was an easy read and definitely worth it.
August 1, 2024
Gah, I love Tozer and I love the topic, but BOY, this book feels really dated. The audiobook reader makes it sound even more old-fashioned, and in a few places, Tozer just seems judgemental and cranky. It's not terrible, but it gets old really fast (somewhat because it is a compilation of a bunch of talks on prophet stuff and not originally intended to be one book, but still). Not great.
December 3, 2020
I very much enjoyed this previously unpublished compilation of sermons and talks that Tozer did. Like other reviewers said, it is just as applicable today as it was when he originally spoke these words. The audio book is well-narrated!
March 12, 2021
This is an outstanding narrative about our relationship with God and our position in the Kingdom. I intend to read this again in the near future, as it’s filled with so much wisdom that it cannot be completely understood by one reading. RECOMMENDED!
August 21, 2022
This book should be read (or heard) by every believer. In today’s generation where there are so many self-proclaimed prophets? Tozer reminds us of the calling and lifestyle of biblical prophets. This book also takes away the mystery and helps believers understand that all can hear the voice of God.
January 5, 2023
quite a satanic text from a man who knows that god is a weakling that needs a manly man like himself to take the stand and speak. correction. satan himself is a weakling. satan thought he is the equal of god. tozer thinks he is better than god.
April 22, 2024
Fantastic!
A wonderful read. Tower was a profit for our generation. And here he's sharing with us the principles God taught him, so that possibly God might use this book to to engage some if to follow in Rider's steps.
A wonderful read. Tower was a profit for our generation. And here he's sharing with us the principles God taught him, so that possibly God might use this book to to engage some if to follow in Rider's steps.
March 17, 2025
God is still speaking, but are you listening? Are you the voice of a prophet or a fox?
Reading this book helps in a very powerful way
You have always been one of my favourites, Non-Fictions authors. Thank you for this Prophetic words.
Thank you, A. W. TOZER and James L. Snyder.
Reading this book helps in a very powerful way
You have always been one of my favourites, Non-Fictions authors. Thank you for this Prophetic words.
Thank you, A. W. TOZER and James L. Snyder.
September 12, 2019
4.5 stars
September 18, 2019
Scathing
Tozer sands is down to bare metal in order to restore our godly finish. He shows us how God uses true prophets to do that.
Tozer sands is down to bare metal in order to restore our godly finish. He shows us how God uses true prophets to do that.
June 4, 2020
Tozer's message still resounds true today
This book contains some fundamental truths we need to revisit and realign ourselves to if we are truly to be ambassadors of Christ. I'm so glad I read this book.
This book contains some fundamental truths we need to revisit and realign ourselves to if we are truly to be ambassadors of Christ. I'm so glad I read this book.
February 27, 2021
This was a tremendous read! The material has been Biblically based and you can feel the heart of A.W. Tozer bleeding through the pages! Highly recommend!
August 28, 2021
Tozer never disappoints.
September 11, 2016
I definitely enjoyed reading A.W. Tozer's Voice of a Prophet. Even when I found myself disagreeing at times with Tozer, I was thoroughly engaged. (Chances are good there will be a round of True or False with A.W. Tozer coming soon.)
So what is this book about? Well, Tozer has words for the church and about the church. Prophets spoke God's message--not their own--to God's people. It was a very rare case indeed when the message was well-received and popular. People do have a tendency--no matter the century--to want to hear what they want, to hear what will flatter them most and challenge them least. Tozer is asking where are the men who speak for God today? Where are the men who will speak the truth boldly to this generation? He claims that instead of prophets, today the church is filled with 'sons of prophets.' He writes, "To them it is important to interpret the message in such a way as to fit present circumstances and culture. They do not want to do anything that would cause any harm or embarrassment to the culture around them." And, "The thing I cannot understand or accept is the entertainment aspect of today’s sons of the prophets. For some reason, they go to Hollywood to get their authority these days. In all of this, the sons of the prophets are careful to leave out any offensive parts. They are very selective about the truth they present. What they present is true, but what they leave out is devastating." He asserts that we have more false prophets than prophets today.
Tozer examines the lives and messages of biblical prophets: Isaiah, Jacob, Abraham, Elijah, Elisha, etc. He looks closely at the Bible, at how God used 'ordinary' people to do extraordinary things.
Tozer's tone is bold and zealous. I'm not sure Tozer knew another way to convey his message!!! It is his zeal for the Lord that I appreciate most. It is his love for God, his love for the Word of God, his uncompromising tell-it-like-it-is approach that makes him timeless.
So what is this book about? Well, Tozer has words for the church and about the church. Prophets spoke God's message--not their own--to God's people. It was a very rare case indeed when the message was well-received and popular. People do have a tendency--no matter the century--to want to hear what they want, to hear what will flatter them most and challenge them least. Tozer is asking where are the men who speak for God today? Where are the men who will speak the truth boldly to this generation? He claims that instead of prophets, today the church is filled with 'sons of prophets.' He writes, "To them it is important to interpret the message in such a way as to fit present circumstances and culture. They do not want to do anything that would cause any harm or embarrassment to the culture around them." And, "The thing I cannot understand or accept is the entertainment aspect of today’s sons of the prophets. For some reason, they go to Hollywood to get their authority these days. In all of this, the sons of the prophets are careful to leave out any offensive parts. They are very selective about the truth they present. What they present is true, but what they leave out is devastating." He asserts that we have more false prophets than prophets today.
Tozer examines the lives and messages of biblical prophets: Isaiah, Jacob, Abraham, Elijah, Elisha, etc. He looks closely at the Bible, at how God used 'ordinary' people to do extraordinary things.
Tozer's tone is bold and zealous. I'm not sure Tozer knew another way to convey his message!!! It is his zeal for the Lord that I appreciate most. It is his love for God, his love for the Word of God, his uncompromising tell-it-like-it-is approach that makes him timeless.
January 6, 2020
The book is one book you will find truly helpful not just for those prompted by the Holy Spirit to go into the ministry.
It brings to the forefront what the life of not just a prophet but a godly life should be like. You will also find sound teachings that will bless you greatly.
Characters like Elijah, John the Baptist, David and many others were mentioned and you will find a lot of blessing learning from them!
It brings to the forefront what the life of not just a prophet but a godly life should be like. You will also find sound teachings that will bless you greatly.
Characters like Elijah, John the Baptist, David and many others were mentioned and you will find a lot of blessing learning from them!
March 22, 2020
This is a serious book that highlights much that is wrong with the modern version of the church. It could have been written today even though it was written over 50 years ago (the author died in 1963).
This is not so surprising as our God is unchanging, something which Tozer repeatedly emphasises.
A feature of the book which I love is the prayer at the end of each chapter, each one of which you can practically hear as you read it.
I commend this book to anyone who seriously wants to know God better.
This is not so surprising as our God is unchanging, something which Tozer repeatedly emphasises.
A feature of the book which I love is the prayer at the end of each chapter, each one of which you can practically hear as you read it.
I commend this book to anyone who seriously wants to know God better.
March 11, 2018
Nearly unending flow of truths to a personal call to lose all in Christ from a Man of God.
Stirred to the depths and in tears often.
The only audio book I have had that I was glad was in that format.
If your face is towards the Lord, you had better "Hear Oh Israel"
Stirred to the depths and in tears often.
The only audio book I have had that I was glad was in that format.
If your face is towards the Lord, you had better "Hear Oh Israel"
September 6, 2014
This would be a good book to journal with if I decide to read it again.
January 19, 2016
This book challenged me to question if I'm living to give God the Glory or living for myself every time I picked it up. I will be reading it again.
July 29, 2016
A very timely and relevant read despite the fact that the author died more than 50 years ago. Highly recommended:)
August 27, 2019
One of the best books ever! If you can see this review you need to read this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews