No Greater Love: Experiencing the Heart of Jesus through the Gospel of John

by A.W. Tozer, James L. Snyder (Compilation)

God came in the flesh to show us what love looks like. To truly see the dynamics of this love, we must take a close look at Jesus's relationships while he was here on earth. How he loved then is how he loves now, and how he loves now is how we as believers are to love.

No Greater Love is a study of Jesus's interactions with people throughout the book of John, including Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and even the Pharisees. What did this love look like in action, especially with those who are hard to love? As it turns out, he didn't love people because they deserved it; he loved them because he is love.

With the great tragedies in our culture today there is a need for this "Jesus love" that's available to all believers. May this book help you better know his love for you--which, in the end, will lead you to becoming more like him.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Spirituality

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2020

About the author

Aiden 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.

Reviews

[Tarah Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can’t say how much I needed to read this book when I did. I’m not sure if it was actually as wonderful as I think, or if it was exactly what my soul needed at that point, but I loved it.

It’s not the normal tone of Tozer , but not insincere, either. It’s beautiful - a softer side of a great preacher at the end of his life.

The language, especially at the beginning, made me pause - it sounded too much like the overly self-centered Christian messages on Christian radio. But it was well-balanced overall and not untrue.

Loved it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Elijah Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It shed a whole new light on gods love.

I highly recommend it!

[Tyler Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a collection of his sermons, each one building somewhat on the last. Chapter 16 (and the other final chapters) made this book very worth while. I didn’t agree with everything, including a seeming dismissal of counseling for taking care of mental health... however reading it in context of the time it was written helped. I sincerely appreciate Tozer and it was a joy to get to sit under his teaching.

[Linda Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very short chapters in this book were perfect for me to listen to via audiobook just before sleeping. I liked having such positive messages of God's love filling my mind as I transitioned from waking to dream time.

Each chapter contains a very short prayer, then a Bible verse from the gospel of John, then AW Tozer's comments. Each chapter told about a different aspect of Christ's love. He made me think of aspects of Jesus' love that applied, related to each verse quoted, with chapter titles like Christ's Focused Love, Christ's Unconditional Love, Christ's Persistent Love, and Christ's Absolute Love.

I think these were all excerpts from his sermons, edited for the book. The 20 chapters were between 6 and 17 minutes - most of them quite short. Perfect for me, really. The last chapter, 21, was a prayer. The entire audiobook was only 4 hours, 14 minutes.

The only criticism I have was about Tozer's criticism of more modern worship music that might have sounded loud and upsetting to him. Musical tastes change over the years and I think he was unhappy with the changes, especially when they showed up in church!

[Lou Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A challenging and uplifting audiobook that contains a compilation of Tozer's sermons on John's Gospel. It is available on the Audible plus catalogue if you have an Audible subscription.

[Atwalys Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspiring to read these words of wisdom.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for books on the love of God, specifically the book of John, so obviously I loved this. Additionally, Tozer had such a simple, elegant way with words

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

New record for amount of underlining and tabbing of pages! Wow. Just incredible.

I appreciate how Tozer constantly criticized the church and made fools of power-hungry preachers, all with such graceful humility. And his use of defining and comparing religion vs relationship with Jesus was impeccable.

Tozer is giving CS Lewis a run for his money.

[Dee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible.com 4 hours Narrated by Matthew McAuliffe (A)
Compiled and edited by James L. Snyder

Thi book contains twenty of Christian pastor and writer A.W. Tozer's (1897-1963) messages from John's gospel on the the love of Christ. This is not to be read as a book of literature, but as meditations to be carefully listened to and meditated upon. I have listened to most of these 2 or 3 times before proceding to the next. They are short but rich and powerful. The depth and vastness of the Son's love for me as an individual is profound and worthy of frequent re-visiting.

"We must take a a close look at Jesus's relationships while he was here on earth. How he loved then is how he loves now, and how he loves now is how we as believers are to love." "May this book help you better know his love for you--which, in the end, will lead you to becoming more like him." J.L.Snyder

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, which is a collection of sermons he preached during his lifetime, Tozer had a few decent points to make, but his overall theology was garbage. His take on academia is just flat-out wrong, too. As a Calvinist, reading this was torturous.

[Stacy Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this collection of thoughts from Tozer on the book of John and the love of God found within the pages.
It’s an easy to read book, with shorter chapters. After each one you’ll want some time to think.
I love his no-nonsense approach to scripture and his interpretation of it.

[Steven Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished A. W. Tozer’s “No Greater Love.” . . . To put it simply, Tozer was a treasure and a genius. There are so many gems in this book it’s impossible to pick 1-5 favorites. Chapter 12 is particularly poignant/convicting.

I wondered at his comment, “The flippant, the insincere, the superficial, and the shallow make religion a jukebox. Put a dime in, press a button, and get this jukebox religion.” Was the choice of a dime merely because that was the common price of a song on a jukebox in his day, or could this also be subtly alluding to the tithe? Even if Tozer didn’t mean it as such, I think it could be used in that manner.

[Michael Moose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I treated this book as a daily devotional, reading one or two chapters a day. It's broken up by chapters into a bunch of mini-sermons on the different aspects of the love of God. As with all Tozer, it's not an easy read, but it's definitely full of wisdom worth having. This book strengthened my theology by helping me understand how God's love is applied in my life and in the world as a whole.

[Laura Conaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the shorter length of each chapter, which allowed for time to reread and process the content! The book helped me gather different aspects of the love of God so we are fueled to go out and love others well. Even though this was written many, many years ago there’s a lot of overlap with issues the church still faces today!

[Holland Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book like a devotional. I kept it at my workplace. Whenever I would feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed I would read a chapter out of this book to remind me of the love that Christ has for me. A.W. Tozer is amazing and this book provided me a lot of relief and comfort during this season I am in. Chapters are very easy to read and I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be poorly/never edited. Out of the 8 chapters I read, 2 were great. The others were riddled with poorly structured paragraphs that ended up repeating ideas in a stream of consciousness format. This book needs major adjustments before a reprint should occur.

[David Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tozer is, in my opinion, one of the better writers that fall into my devotional/mystic category. His commentary on the Scriptures often inject freshness into my thinking, which I appreciate. However, when he writes of the "mystical" experience of Christianity (his terminology), like most writers who fall into this category, he makes assertions and claims that err in one of two ways. They may say more than the scriptures say, which is always open for debate, or they may be unbiblical. After almost 45 years of engaging in the preaching and teaching of the scriptures, I have much less tolerance for either. I recommend this volume be read with a very discerning mind.

[Chris Barrans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting. Riveting. Tozer holds nothing back in this book. Calling many pastors the modern day Pharisees with their new rules and plans of how to make new converts. Best book I’ve read this year so far.

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great small book, like a devotional to read through. Would be wonderful reading the book of John at the same time as these chapters.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Anna-Grace Heinzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gain a better understanding of our FATHER‘s Unconditional Love and what HE asks of us… if you want your walk with GOD challenged and deepened… read this book

[Mary Caroline Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesssss!!! Tozer writes with such beauty, elegance, and conviction! I seriously can’t get enough of his work!!

[Kymberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blessed writing from Tozer!

[Jesse Ramshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute must-read. I believe this book was edited from Tozer's pulpit ministry, and transcribed from tapes onto the printed page. So much wisdom and beauty, yet a gut-wrenching plea for people everywhere to find faith in "who" (Christ) and not "what" (doctrine, the world), to turn from where they were going and have the compass always point toward Christ.

Of all the preachers I've heard or read, Tozer has always been the one who preached repentance more than any other. The man was aware of his shortcomings. Much like the sinful woman in Luke 7, he realized the immensity of his debt and could only fall down at the feet of Christ to worship.

[Blake Marretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writer, not very good theology.

God deserves to love us? No, Mr. Tozer, He does not. He can’t force us into His love? Toss out John 3, 6, 8, 10, 17–basically the whole testimony of scripture.

Man is bent naturally on sin. He will not choose the good unless God makes His will to choose the good. Then man makes a choice and it without a doubt goes to God. There is nothing in us that is deserving of God’s love.

Ezekiel 36, if you were around good sir, is where I would have pointed you. God gathers a people, takes their heart of stone, turns it into a real heart, then causes them to walk the line. Why does He do it? He says He doesn’t do it for them, but “For my namesake.”

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Sometimes we can go too far and exaggerate, making statements by using a superlative. However, it is quite difficult to exaggerate the vital importance of the teaching of our Lord in the opening verses of John 3. It is wholly revolutionary. It is sharply classifying; it excludes and includes, it divides and distinguishes human beings from each other.

NO Greater Love is a collection of Tozer teachings [sermons, writings] on the gospel of John. It doesn't have a chapter for each chapter of the gospel. Though I believe there are a handful of Tozer books that cover the gospel of John and/or the writings of John. (I know I've read some on Revelation and John).

The main theme or main subject focus of this one is the love of God [as displayed/illustrated/shown] in the gospel of John. This isn't so much a commentary on the gospel of John as it is a commentary on society and the modern church. You might think this would make the book dated. After all, if you're in the know, you know that Tozer died in 1963. How could his thoughts on the direction of the church, the direction of society, the flaws of mankind still be relevant. Tozer is ancient, right???? WRONG. Tozer reads truth [from Scripture] into his analysis. And human nature--human SIN nature--doesn't change. Jesus Christ does not change. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. So if and when Tozer is right on something--he's forever right.

I love Tozer's tell-it-like-it-is. He doesn't sugarcoat anything. He's honest. He's zealous. His zeal for the truth, his zeal for the Word of God, for Jesus is undeniable.

Did I agree with everything in this one? No. There were a few theological points where we do not see eye to eye. We just disagree, end of story. But I still love Tozer. I still really love Tozer. [He does have one chapter on free will and man's will in salvation.]

Quotes:

I believe in the brotherhood of man. I believe there is a universal brotherhood of the once born, and then I believe in a universal brotherhood of the twice born. Where our modern and liberal friends make their mistake is that they do not distinguish between the once born and the twice born. They make a universal brotherhood and say everybody is in. Jesus makes a universal brotherhood and says everybody is out except those who are born again.

My sin does not overwhelm the love of God. Rather, the love of God overwhelms my sin.

I cannot think my way into God's presence. It is the love of God that overwhelms me and opens up the gate into His presence. God's great delight is to overcome our depravity. As bad as we are, we are not too bad for God to deliver us from that depravity and bring us into the brightness of His delight.

There is one distinctive road to heaven, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. And the train that gets me from here to heaven is the unconditional love that Christ has for me. Once I am on board that train, nothing else seems to matter.

I am going to heaven--not because I die. I am going to heaven because I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and I have allowed His love to flow into my heart and overwhelm me with desire and adoration for Him.

God loves me because He created me in HIs image, and that is the end of it. I do not bring anything except God's love for me.

[Jeremiah Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

God came in the flesh to show us what love looks like. To truly see the dynamics of this love, we must take a close look at Jesus's relationships while he was here on earth. How he loved then is how he loves now, and how he loves now is how we as believers are to love.

No Greater Love is a study of Jesus's interactions with people throughout the book of John, including Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and even the Pharisees. What did this love look like in action, especially with those who are hard to love? As it turns out, he didn't love people because they deserved it; he loved them because he is love.

This book is essentially based off the sermon notes of A.W. Tozer. As such, it is not like reading or listening to a traditional book and is more a collection of thoughts. Each of the chapters focuses on an aspect of God's love in the way Tozer structured his analysis of the subject. The chapters are short and relatively focused. It is recommended that you only read one chapter and then meditate upon it. I chose to listen straight through and will likely go back and listen to one chapter at a time later.

Overall for me, there were soundbites and individual points Tozer makes which were incredibly insightful, still relevant today, and ones I can truly apply and think more on. Unfortunately, in my opinion, Tozer misses the mark terribly on the most important points of belief in Jesus Christ. He misses the mark on the nature of salvation multiple times and when he does it distracts from some of the very valid points he is establishing.

As for the method of reading this book -- I am sure it would be enjoyable to read in print. I did, however, really enjoy the narration and I would recommend for most people to listen to the audiobook. There is something about having these topics spoken out loud to prompt meditation and further thought.

Finally, as with many spirituality/philosophy books, I believe you should approach this book with a desire to be challenged. It should call into question our actions, make us wonder where we can improve, and set us forward on a path to be a better force in the world in which we live.

[Thomas Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It never stops amazing me how many different versions of Christ can exist.

Tozer reminds me a little of Jacob. But instead of Angels here Tozer grapples with scripture. The fact he is self-taught shows. There's a lot of personal belief/explanation mixed in with more conventional Christian ideas I'm more familiar with.

If I was a preacher, I'd be Tozer. Probably not have the same home life, less said...

But he approaches God from the perspective of a scholar. Views the trinity as a force to be explored via scripture, not necessarily to understand, but to humble yourself in the face of this vast and unknowable thing.

In a sense to reduce yourself.

That's a rare thing these days. The action of humbling yourself is definitely valuable though. I've always benefited from it.

Sort of like shadow boxing... Maybe that doesn't make sense. But to me, for me, it makes sense.

I think... though I'm not a Christian, I can adopt the aspects that help to exercise the soul. Put it in for a rinse.

I loved him blasting the hypocrisy in the church. But there was a lot of approximation here. Some of it actually sounds more new age than traditional. Some of it even proto-christian rather than refined and so I think this... As much as it claims not to be... Is a bit of a side-step from true belief and would allow too many bad Christians a way of ignoring their sins. This is Christianity-lite. Shame.

[DeAnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read Tozer and it was so nice to be brought back to his wisdom and clear understanding of Scripture.

This book is a study of Christ’s love through the book of John. Though it is full of grace and focuses on the love Jesus has for us all, it’s less on the sweet and gentle side but full of conviction and timeless truth expected from Tozer.

I especially enjoyed his chapters on silence. In today’s world where we are constantly bombarded with noise and information, Tozer reminds us to be intentional in getting away from the noise and spending time in silence to rest in God’s presence and fully acknowledge Christ’s love.

“What is sending men and women to premature graves with nervous breakdowns and heart failures? It is noise, tension and pressure. Living in the middle of this world, we cannot escape from it, but we can retire from it sometimes. We can get alone, break the pressures, push away human society patiently and quietly wait on God. You will learn more as you bathe your soul in silence and turn your face up to the light of God in retirement.”
•
5/5 ⭐️ - Tozer is always a win 👏🏼

[Kylea · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If I have to tell someone I am a Christian, I am not living a life that pleases the Lord. I need to allow Christ’s silent love to flow into my heart and life so the people around me can see there is a difference in me. When we talk about people seeing Christ in us, it is not that they see Christ in us, but rather they see in us something that they cannot explain.”

This is a solid book that has a lot of gold nuggets of truth in it. As a whole, I think the flow is a bit rough since each chapter is taken from various Tozer sermons rather than being one continuous book. That being said, the overall theme of Christ’s love and how that looks in our lives is evident. I simply wish the chapters were a bit longer and more thorough.

I do think it is a good book for every Christian to read, especially those new to faith.

“The holiest sign this world could ever have is a man who lives rightly in a bad world; a woman who keeps clean in a dirty world; a young person in high school who keeps her heart and mind and body clean in a dirty school. There is your miracle. There is your sign. There is your wonder. There is your proof. Holiness is its own proof; righteousness its own sign.”