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This World: Playground or Battleground?
For the thirteen years that A.W. Tozer edited Alliance Life, this self-taught, Spirit-taught Pennsylvanian produced a veritable gold mine of editorials. People subscribed to the magazine just to read his incisive writing. Over the years, many of these editorials have been preserved in books, the first three of which were prepared by Tozer himself. This book was compiled by Harry Verploegh, a retired Chicago businessman who sat for thirty years under the preaching of Tozer and who became his friend and confidant.
121 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
18 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Tozer
658 books2,124 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 31, 2022
This book would have been a five-star read were it not for its apparent lack of unity or direction on the topic of this discussion. The author (Tozer) is however not to blame for this since the book was simply a compilation of many of his articles touching different topics that the compiler believed to be related. I however did not find the collection to be related enough to form one book under the title.
Nonetheless, I guess I would still recommend this book. This is Tozer, a master wordsmith talking. He addresses many problems modern evangelicalism is facing today. It's a short that you perhaps should give a try.
Nonetheless, I guess I would still recommend this book. This is Tozer, a master wordsmith talking. He addresses many problems modern evangelicalism is facing today. It's a short that you perhaps should give a try.
February 19, 2018
I expected this book to challenge me, which it did, but to my surprise there was much more comfort than challenge, by which I was blessed. A very encouraging book.
October 4, 2024
I was slightly disappointed with this book, as I've heard great things about A.W. Tozer; but this particular selection had a few essays that I disagreed with. "Motive is All-Important" teaches that even if our actions bring harm to others, it is still a good act because the motive of the person is what matters most. This flies in the face of Scriptures such as 2 Samuel 6, in which God struck Uzzah dead for touching the ark of the covenant, regardless of Uzzah's righteous motive of wanting to prevent the ark from falling. Many sinful things are done with a sincerity of heart; you can be sincerely wrong. A Catholic, for instance, may have a desire to serve the Lord, yet still practice idolatry by worshiping Mary and elevating her to a place Scripture does not ascribe to her.
Another problematic essay is "Symptomatic Words: 'Fair,' 'Unfair.'" Tozer states: "Whether or not they are given fair treatment will never enter their heads. They know they have been called to follow Christ, and certainly Christ did not receive anything remotely approaching fair treatment from mankind" (p.79). While it's true that we should not be surprised by persecution, the Apostle Paul pushed back when he was about to be flogged (Acts 22:25-27); he didn't just take it; he recognized he was being treated unfairly and appropriately used the legal system of his day to deliver himself from the unfair treatment. The whole essay leaves the reader feeling that Christians should be doormats and never push back against unjust treatment. This is unwise and can cause us to ignore injustice against other Christians as well because "Christians who understand the true meaning of the cross will never whine about being treated unfairly" (p.79). The prophets excoriated Israel for ignoring injustice.
There were some essays that were very beautiful, though, such as "Meditation among Falling Leaves," which discusses serving the Lord in all seasons and weather conditions, and "Easter Meditation,""which would be a wonderful piece to read at an Easter church service. Overall, it's a mixed bag of essays. Eat the meat, spit out the bones.
Another problematic essay is "Symptomatic Words: 'Fair,' 'Unfair.'" Tozer states: "Whether or not they are given fair treatment will never enter their heads. They know they have been called to follow Christ, and certainly Christ did not receive anything remotely approaching fair treatment from mankind" (p.79). While it's true that we should not be surprised by persecution, the Apostle Paul pushed back when he was about to be flogged (Acts 22:25-27); he didn't just take it; he recognized he was being treated unfairly and appropriately used the legal system of his day to deliver himself from the unfair treatment. The whole essay leaves the reader feeling that Christians should be doormats and never push back against unjust treatment. This is unwise and can cause us to ignore injustice against other Christians as well because "Christians who understand the true meaning of the cross will never whine about being treated unfairly" (p.79). The prophets excoriated Israel for ignoring injustice.
There were some essays that were very beautiful, though, such as "Meditation among Falling Leaves," which discusses serving the Lord in all seasons and weather conditions, and "Easter Meditation,""which would be a wonderful piece to read at an Easter church service. Overall, it's a mixed bag of essays. Eat the meat, spit out the bones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
Great book! It’s a book that each chapter the author will write different things, so if you’re expecting something to study about battleground I would not recommend this book, but if you want to read a book that each chapter is different but with some deep truths that will leave you thinking about the way you’ve been living, I totally recommend!
November 27, 2020
Compilación de reflexiones escritas por Tozer a una revista. Reflexiones que te animan, aconsejan y desafían tu caminar cristiano.
October 19, 2021
Don't pass this one up
If you desire motivation of a true desire to serve God this is a must read when your do read do not speed read take your time.
If you desire motivation of a true desire to serve God this is a must read when your do read do not speed read take your time.
June 20, 2025
Amazing set of essays about God, the church, and people.
December 13, 2025
A W Tozer is a favourite Christian author of mine. Love his writings, insight.
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February 28, 2017What Christian doesn’t enjoy another book by A.W. Tozer? After all that I have read of Tozer over the years, this title was brought to my attention in a recent article and I had not read it. The publisher’s forward (for Wing Spread Publishers, Camphill, PA) explains that these writings were originally editorials that Tozer wrote when he was editor of the Alliance Life, the official magazine of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. These editorials were made into books after his death in 1984.
The whole book is typical Tozer. In the chapter titled, “Men, Our Most Critical Need,” he writes, “The most critical need of the Church at this moment is men—the right kind of men, bold men. The talk is that we need revival, that we need a new baptism of the Holy Spirit—and God knows we must have both—but God will not revive mice. He will not fill rabbits with the Holy Spirit.”
“Much that the church—even the evangelical church—is doing today, it is doing because it is afraid not to do it. Ministerial associations take up projects for no higher reasons than that they are scared into it. Whatever their ear-to-the-ground, fear-inspired reconnoitering leads them to believe—or fear—the world expects them to do, they will be doing come next Monday morning with all kinds of trumped-up zeal and show of godliness. The pressure of public opinion calls these prophets, not the voice of Jehovah.”
“The free man has never been a religious tyrant, nor has he sought to lord it over God’s heritage. It is fear and lack of self-assurance that has led men to try to bring others under their feet. They have had some interest to protect, some position to secure, so they have demanded subjection from their followers as a guarantee of their own safety. But the free man—never. He has nothing to protect, no ambition to pursue and no enemy to fear. For that reason he is completely careless of his standing among men. If they follow him—well and good. If not, he loses nothing that he holds dear. But whether he is accepted or rejected, he will go on loving his people with sincere devotion, and only death can silence his tender intercession for them.”
link: See more book reviews on my web site
The whole book is typical Tozer. In the chapter titled, “Men, Our Most Critical Need,” he writes, “The most critical need of the Church at this moment is men—the right kind of men, bold men. The talk is that we need revival, that we need a new baptism of the Holy Spirit—and God knows we must have both—but God will not revive mice. He will not fill rabbits with the Holy Spirit.”
“Much that the church—even the evangelical church—is doing today, it is doing because it is afraid not to do it. Ministerial associations take up projects for no higher reasons than that they are scared into it. Whatever their ear-to-the-ground, fear-inspired reconnoitering leads them to believe—or fear—the world expects them to do, they will be doing come next Monday morning with all kinds of trumped-up zeal and show of godliness. The pressure of public opinion calls these prophets, not the voice of Jehovah.”
“The free man has never been a religious tyrant, nor has he sought to lord it over God’s heritage. It is fear and lack of self-assurance that has led men to try to bring others under their feet. They have had some interest to protect, some position to secure, so they have demanded subjection from their followers as a guarantee of their own safety. But the free man—never. He has nothing to protect, no ambition to pursue and no enemy to fear. For that reason he is completely careless of his standing among men. If they follow him—well and good. If not, he loses nothing that he holds dear. But whether he is accepted or rejected, he will go on loving his people with sincere devotion, and only death can silence his tender intercession for them.”
link: See more book reviews on my web site
September 6, 2021
Amazing book! The insights vary across the board for many topics and this is what I like about Tozer. He knows how to get the message across by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Read, enjoy and most of all be edified!
December 30, 2015
Excellent book. Really liked the layout and short sharp chapters. Could almost be used as a daily devotional. Will likely revisit as I'm sure I didn't absorb most of what Tozer had to say.
March 13, 2016
Because of the layout I read it as devotional, reading a chapter every day or two. As usual, Tozer knows what he's talking about.
October 6, 2017
A short work, AW Tozer pours much truth in his words.
A highly intellectual man of God, I don't think he is credited for enough.
Everything I have heard of his is excellent.
A highly intellectual man of God, I don't think he is credited for enough.
Everything I have heard of his is excellent.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews