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Delighting in God
Many people believe in God and believe that God is everywhere, but they have yet to experience his presence. 'Delighting in God' is the message Tozer intended to be the follow-up to 'The Knowledge of the Holy'. He demonstrates how the attributes of God-those things God has revealed about himself-are a way to understand the Christian life of worship and service. We are here to serve and adore him, but we can only fulfill that role by acknowledging who he is, which is the essence of the Christian life and the source of all our fulfillment, joy, and comfort. To understand who we are, we need to understand who God is. His very character and nature are reflected through us. Unless we fully grasp who we are, we'll never become all God wants us to be.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2015
1147 people are currently reading
1926 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Tozer
665 books2,112 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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December 4, 2015
Our passion for God should lift us above the elements of the world into heavenly spheres, where God’s praise is supreme. Theology is not an end in itself, but rather points to the One who is greater than theology. When theology becomes an end in itself, it ceases to be a way into the knowledge of God. What people need today is truth-truth organized in a way that allows us to understand what God is about.
To know God and enjoy God where we have a hunger and thirst for him that never satisfies. What is our perception of God? Our perception at different times in our life can be different. Have you experienced something, maybe a place, and come back years later and find that it was not what you remember. We can do that with God. With 18 short chapters to sharpen how we think about God, each chapter is a perception that we may have that does not coincide with what the word reveals.
Each chapter is not a better way to do this or that but a better way all together. Just like David whose heart was after God was always searching for God. A passion for God. That I may know him. Is it enough just to know him or do we want the feel good, want this, and acclaim to that type of “religion”?
From our perception of God of his love and mercy to his wrath and justice, we can create an idol and miss the very presence of God.
Some of the quotes that I found encouraging and convicting.
The more you get to know God and understand His holiness, the more you will begin to magnify God in your life, and God will become the biggest thing in your life. If something in your life is bigger than God, I can assure you that God is not in your life. The goal I have as a Christian is to magnify God. The great discipline of the Christian life is to live in a way that magnifies God.
What we need to understand is that God cannot be entertained, especially by the flesh. Once we get this into our heads, we begin to look at our relationship with God a little differently. God is not going to entertain me, and God is not going to be entertained by me. The fact rules out a lot that passes for worship today.
We want to be comforted when we ought to be stirred up and made discontented. A noble discontent is always more desirable for a Christian than an ignoble contentment.
We have one awful loss: the loss of our perception of a majestic God who is worthy to be worshipped.
The core of this book is knowing God and by knowing God, we are known by him. It is this that gives us rest from the need to be affirmed by others that often leads us away from God. Let us be honest, the struggle is hard but it leads us to rest. I appreciate a study that is honest about it. This will stir your heart and challenge you. It stirred my heart that I ordered this book for loved ones that like me struggle to know him greater still!
A Special Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review
To know God and enjoy God where we have a hunger and thirst for him that never satisfies. What is our perception of God? Our perception at different times in our life can be different. Have you experienced something, maybe a place, and come back years later and find that it was not what you remember. We can do that with God. With 18 short chapters to sharpen how we think about God, each chapter is a perception that we may have that does not coincide with what the word reveals.
Each chapter is not a better way to do this or that but a better way all together. Just like David whose heart was after God was always searching for God. A passion for God. That I may know him. Is it enough just to know him or do we want the feel good, want this, and acclaim to that type of “religion”?
From our perception of God of his love and mercy to his wrath and justice, we can create an idol and miss the very presence of God.
Some of the quotes that I found encouraging and convicting.
The more you get to know God and understand His holiness, the more you will begin to magnify God in your life, and God will become the biggest thing in your life. If something in your life is bigger than God, I can assure you that God is not in your life. The goal I have as a Christian is to magnify God. The great discipline of the Christian life is to live in a way that magnifies God.
What we need to understand is that God cannot be entertained, especially by the flesh. Once we get this into our heads, we begin to look at our relationship with God a little differently. God is not going to entertain me, and God is not going to be entertained by me. The fact rules out a lot that passes for worship today.
We want to be comforted when we ought to be stirred up and made discontented. A noble discontent is always more desirable for a Christian than an ignoble contentment.
We have one awful loss: the loss of our perception of a majestic God who is worthy to be worshipped.
The core of this book is knowing God and by knowing God, we are known by him. It is this that gives us rest from the need to be affirmed by others that often leads us away from God. Let us be honest, the struggle is hard but it leads us to rest. I appreciate a study that is honest about it. This will stir your heart and challenge you. It stirred my heart that I ordered this book for loved ones that like me struggle to know him greater still!
A Special Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review
January 9, 2016
First impressions
A couple of years ago I read The Knowledge of the Holy, I knew it was a classic in Christian literature and it was an awesome reading that blew my mind about the attributes of God. It’s a must read, not because it’s famous, but because it’s certainly a life changer book. This book was promoted as a follow-up, that’s when I knew I got to pick it for review.
Content
This book is compiled and edited by James L. Synder, in this case it means this book is result of several of Tozer’s recorded preachings in the past. Unlike The Knowledge of the Holy published during his lifetime, Delighting in God was a different sort of reading because of this fact, at the beginning it can be a little bit of a letdown, because it’s easy to detect the difference, but it feels normal after a couple of chapters.
When reading through the pages I got the feeling Tozer was desperate, frustrated or simply mad about the state of Christianity in America. He doesn’t hold back when denouncing the lack of passion in church to know God. For him it’s not enough to know about God, but our purpose as Christians should be to know God and be known by Him.
This book is about our perception of God, a faulty or a lofty one. According to Tozer, our perception of God is the one thing that defines everything in our life and this book is a journey about how we may have a wrong perception, but also how it can be restored to impact our lives.
As I move toward God, my capacity to understand God grows deeper and deeper. Of course, the opposite is also true. As I move away from God, my capacity begins to shrink. – A.W. Tozer p.65
Conclusion
Delighting in God is rightly called a follow-up to The Knowledge of the Holy, this is A.W. Tozer being honest with himself and with his audience, you can feel his passion about what he’s saying and his resolution in trying to offer something to his generation. This should be read by every Christian, the reality of the church back in Tozer’s days could be easily compared to the one we’re living, and sadly that’s not a compliment.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
A couple of years ago I read The Knowledge of the Holy, I knew it was a classic in Christian literature and it was an awesome reading that blew my mind about the attributes of God. It’s a must read, not because it’s famous, but because it’s certainly a life changer book. This book was promoted as a follow-up, that’s when I knew I got to pick it for review.
Content
This book is compiled and edited by James L. Synder, in this case it means this book is result of several of Tozer’s recorded preachings in the past. Unlike The Knowledge of the Holy published during his lifetime, Delighting in God was a different sort of reading because of this fact, at the beginning it can be a little bit of a letdown, because it’s easy to detect the difference, but it feels normal after a couple of chapters.
When reading through the pages I got the feeling Tozer was desperate, frustrated or simply mad about the state of Christianity in America. He doesn’t hold back when denouncing the lack of passion in church to know God. For him it’s not enough to know about God, but our purpose as Christians should be to know God and be known by Him.
This book is about our perception of God, a faulty or a lofty one. According to Tozer, our perception of God is the one thing that defines everything in our life and this book is a journey about how we may have a wrong perception, but also how it can be restored to impact our lives.
As I move toward God, my capacity to understand God grows deeper and deeper. Of course, the opposite is also true. As I move away from God, my capacity begins to shrink. – A.W. Tozer p.65
Conclusion
Delighting in God is rightly called a follow-up to The Knowledge of the Holy, this is A.W. Tozer being honest with himself and with his audience, you can feel his passion about what he’s saying and his resolution in trying to offer something to his generation. This should be read by every Christian, the reality of the church back in Tozer’s days could be easily compared to the one we’re living, and sadly that’s not a compliment.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
May 28, 2016
This is a new book (2015) by A. W. Tozer. He has been in heaven for over 50 years. This book is a compilation, by another author (James L. Snyder) based on various sermons of Tozer.
I listened to this audiobook. As a result, I found it hard to follow. I would have probably given it a better rating if I read the hard copy. Then I could spend time pondering over some of the thoughts that were conveyed in this book.
Tozer was a very dedicated Christian. He was concerned about the shallowness of other people that say they are Christians. If you are passionate about God, it should show in your actions. He is always very frank. He does not hold back. He tells it like it is.
There are a lot of good nuggets in this book. The theme of the book is that if you are truly a Christian, you should be all-in. He also expressed concern about modern churches that condone members that are not all-in. He reminds us that we should have unfathomable love, respect, and thankfulness for our merciful, gracious, omniscient, loving father. The one and only true God.
I listened to this audiobook. As a result, I found it hard to follow. I would have probably given it a better rating if I read the hard copy. Then I could spend time pondering over some of the thoughts that were conveyed in this book.
Tozer was a very dedicated Christian. He was concerned about the shallowness of other people that say they are Christians. If you are passionate about God, it should show in your actions. He is always very frank. He does not hold back. He tells it like it is.
There are a lot of good nuggets in this book. The theme of the book is that if you are truly a Christian, you should be all-in. He also expressed concern about modern churches that condone members that are not all-in. He reminds us that we should have unfathomable love, respect, and thankfulness for our merciful, gracious, omniscient, loving father. The one and only true God.
October 1, 2018
A fantastic follow up to A. W. Tozer's Knowledge of the Holy, about understanding God and his attributes and what that means for our Christian walk or worship, discipleship, and service.
December 2, 2015
"Delighting in God" is a Christian living book. Apparently, this book is a collection of various sermons that Tozer preached. The first part talked about some strengths and weakness that he saw in the church at that time (pre-1963). It's much the same now, however, so it is relevant.
The rest focused on the attributes of God and how our perception of God effects our passion for God. A correct perception of the greatness and goodness of God changes how we worship God and how we live our life. By restoring a proper reverence and awe for God, we come to know God more intimately.
I enjoyed gaining further insights into the limitless character of God. However, it did feel like a collection of (fairly short) sermons rather than a book that builds upon itself. It might work well as a devotional-type book for those who want to better understand the benefits of a correct perception of God's character.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The rest focused on the attributes of God and how our perception of God effects our passion for God. A correct perception of the greatness and goodness of God changes how we worship God and how we live our life. By restoring a proper reverence and awe for God, we come to know God more intimately.
I enjoyed gaining further insights into the limitless character of God. However, it did feel like a collection of (fairly short) sermons rather than a book that builds upon itself. It might work well as a devotional-type book for those who want to better understand the benefits of a correct perception of God's character.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 12, 2023
This is a compilation of Tozer’s sermons put together after his death. As such, it suffers from a lack of a cohesive plot or train of thought. Some ideas mentioned in the beginning are never brought back around. Knowledge of the Holy is a much better book.
December 5, 2025
Tozer believed our worship of God must be worthy of God”
“We must evaluate our worship in light of the One we are worshipping”
Your perception of God determines everything about you!!
“Preaching was not to entertain, but rather to stir the hearts in worship of God. The focus of the preaching was God”
“At the very foundation of our loss today is what I call the vision of the majesty on high” (majesty of God)
“When the church is acting like the church, God is being exalted among the nations”
“I would like to see in the church today a restored perception of Hod in His majestic holiness”
“Are you satisfied, or are you hungry”
“A hymn is not a hymn unless it lifts me into that rarefied atmosphere of adoring wonder and worship of God”
“Gods greatest delight is to bring me into His presence”
“Trying to separate law from grace is a very dangerous thing and usually leads to heresy. There can be no law without grace and no grace without law”
“The most important thing for us to do is to constantly work on our perception of God”
“I am quite sure that if we would begin to see our God as bigger, we would also begin to see people smaller”
“What does it mean to magnify God?… to make God big in your life….. the goal that I have as a Christian is to magnify God. The great discipline of the Christian is to live in a way that magnifies God”
“We must evaluate our worship in light of the One we are worshipping”
Your perception of God determines everything about you!!
“Preaching was not to entertain, but rather to stir the hearts in worship of God. The focus of the preaching was God”
“At the very foundation of our loss today is what I call the vision of the majesty on high” (majesty of God)
“When the church is acting like the church, God is being exalted among the nations”
“I would like to see in the church today a restored perception of Hod in His majestic holiness”
“Are you satisfied, or are you hungry”
“A hymn is not a hymn unless it lifts me into that rarefied atmosphere of adoring wonder and worship of God”
“Gods greatest delight is to bring me into His presence”
“Trying to separate law from grace is a very dangerous thing and usually leads to heresy. There can be no law without grace and no grace without law”
“The most important thing for us to do is to constantly work on our perception of God”
“I am quite sure that if we would begin to see our God as bigger, we would also begin to see people smaller”
“What does it mean to magnify God?… to make God big in your life….. the goal that I have as a Christian is to magnify God. The great discipline of the Christian is to live in a way that magnifies God”
March 27, 2020
For the Passionate -- Those Who Have a True and Earnest Desire to Let God be Their All
This isn't for the lukewarm. Or maybe it is, because read with an open heart, it will surely ignite a fire in any sincere Christian who genuinely wants more of God in their lives. If you want an easy, comforting read that will stroke whatever need you have, this isn't the book for you. It surely contains wisdom that can turn out to be the balm to wounded souls, but this book is more of a challenge than anything else. It is one that yanks you out of your comfort zone and into the borderlands -- one that does not excuse sin or compromise and confronts you with a God so majestic, so tremendous, so mysterious, it will lead you to your knees. If you let it. Tozer's Pursuit of God changed my life when I first read it. I tremble even as I draw near to God asking Him to teach me how and give me grace to live the truths in this book out. Highly recommended!!
This isn't for the lukewarm. Or maybe it is, because read with an open heart, it will surely ignite a fire in any sincere Christian who genuinely wants more of God in their lives. If you want an easy, comforting read that will stroke whatever need you have, this isn't the book for you. It surely contains wisdom that can turn out to be the balm to wounded souls, but this book is more of a challenge than anything else. It is one that yanks you out of your comfort zone and into the borderlands -- one that does not excuse sin or compromise and confronts you with a God so majestic, so tremendous, so mysterious, it will lead you to your knees. If you let it. Tozer's Pursuit of God changed my life when I first read it. I tremble even as I draw near to God asking Him to teach me how and give me grace to live the truths in this book out. Highly recommended!!
September 17, 2021
"Cuando contemplamos a los santos del pasado, sentimos el deseo de preguntar: ¿qué hizo que esos santos fueran el tipo de personas que fueron? Fue la intensidad de su deseo de Dios. Querían a Dios más que a cualquier otra cosa."
Tozer tiene un estilo peculiar de escritura. Me gustaría que sus libros tuvieran más pasajes bíblicos. Sin embargo, sus pensamientos son claramente bíblicos y desafiantes. Me sorprende ver que cosas que menciona en sus escritos siguen siendo hoy en día tan reales.
En este libro, vuelve a profundizar en cómo lo que pensamos e Dios afecta todos los aspectos de nuestra vida (en forma personal y como iglesia). Quizas algunos conceptos son repetitivos pero considero que sirven para machacarnos en la cabeza el punto central del libro: deleitarnos en Dios.
Una de las cosas que más me gustó (además de la tapa hermosa) es que cada capítulo termina con un himno.
Tozer tiene un estilo peculiar de escritura. Me gustaría que sus libros tuvieran más pasajes bíblicos. Sin embargo, sus pensamientos son claramente bíblicos y desafiantes. Me sorprende ver que cosas que menciona en sus escritos siguen siendo hoy en día tan reales.
En este libro, vuelve a profundizar en cómo lo que pensamos e Dios afecta todos los aspectos de nuestra vida (en forma personal y como iglesia). Quizas algunos conceptos son repetitivos pero considero que sirven para machacarnos en la cabeza el punto central del libro: deleitarnos en Dios.
Una de las cosas que más me gustó (además de la tapa hermosa) es que cada capítulo termina con un himno.
April 22, 2017
I haven't read much Tozer, and I don't know why. All I can say is, "Wow! I've really been missing out." I definitely plan to read more of his work. Here are a few thoughts from this book that have stuck with me:
-We love the true God, but we do not treat Him with the respect and dignity that the heathen treat their gods.
-You cannot reach the world by becoming like the world.
-You are always going to move in the direction of your perception of God.
-It's impossible for God to be indifferent.
-This is one of the worst possible things that could be done in the church: make a Christian content. We should not want contentment, but a thirst and hunger for God....It is only when [a man] is hungry or thirsty that he looks for a way to satisfy himself.
-We love the true God, but we do not treat Him with the respect and dignity that the heathen treat their gods.
-You cannot reach the world by becoming like the world.
-You are always going to move in the direction of your perception of God.
-It's impossible for God to be indifferent.
-This is one of the worst possible things that could be done in the church: make a Christian content. We should not want contentment, but a thirst and hunger for God....It is only when [a man] is hungry or thirsty that he looks for a way to satisfy himself.
September 10, 2019
This is not a book written by Tozer but excerpts from several of his sermons stitched together. The stitching could have been done with more care as the book seemed disjointed in some areas. It also seemed that the theme of the book was more "Perceiving God" than "Delighting in God." Tozer is always a good read and I enjoy his view on modern Christianity but I feel we would be better served by the complete sermons rather than edited excerpts. Recommended but not highly.
May 28, 2019
There's a lot to like from Tozer. A classic conservative preacher with a heart to know God in order to serve Him and humanity. Tozer writes about a love for God that doesn't shy away from Biblical study, but also doesn't let that knowledge go to waste. The main question of the book is, "Do we delight in God?" Does the thought of God bring a joyous smile to your face, or only remind you of an obligation?
December 28, 2022
Excellent
I am so glad I got to read this. I want more of God. I want to know Him better. I want my faith to be rooted in His Word and theology has never been so watered down, muddied up, and just plain wrong as it is right now. Tozer is a breath of fresh air, because he points back to the source - God's Word and Christ.
I am so glad I got to read this. I want more of God. I want to know Him better. I want my faith to be rooted in His Word and theology has never been so watered down, muddied up, and just plain wrong as it is right now. Tozer is a breath of fresh air, because he points back to the source - God's Word and Christ.
May 4, 2021
Delighting in God, well the title says it all. We have an awesome God and He is worthy of our praise. He ends the chapters with the words to rich and meaningful hymns. Read it!
July 5, 2023
Second time reading this book and again it was so convicting. Tozer’s passion for God is so evident and the book is full of challenges for our Christian walk.
October 16, 2023
Addresses some good topics, but very repetitive.
May 10, 2019
Muy buen libro
March 6, 2017
Typical Tozer - many thought provoking observations, some of them sounding as if they were written last month instead of decades ago. In Delighting in God, Tozer muses on how our perception of God will be shape our passion and worship of God. False perceptions produce weak or unbiblical passions; truth based perceptions produce powerful and life-changing passions. In Delighting in God, Tozer issues a call for the reader to seek to see God for who He really is.
The weakness I find in Delighting in God is the same I find throughout the writings of Tozer. There is little scriptural support for his observations. He writes more as a philosopher than as a theologian. That said, I find Tozer to be on target most of the time. Delighting in God is no exception to that rule.
The weakness I find in Delighting in God is the same I find throughout the writings of Tozer. There is little scriptural support for his observations. He writes more as a philosopher than as a theologian. That said, I find Tozer to be on target most of the time. Delighting in God is no exception to that rule.
December 23, 2018
One of the best books I've read. Buying this book to year every year! Read it now twice and plan to read it more like every 6 months! Great reminders of what Jesus wanted with those who followed God.
April 1, 2016
"Delighting in God" by A.W. Tozer is a compilation of Tozer writings compiled together by James L. Snyder. This book is what James L. Snyder thought should be as the follow up to Tozer's last book The Knowledge of the Holy since Tozer has been dead for over 50 years. Normally I really enjoy Tozer writings but this compiled bits was hard for me to follow as I would read one chapter and then the next just did not seem to flow together so it did not seem to be concise book. Also one chapter really left a bad taste in my mouth and since I have no way of knowing if that chapter was part of a bigger section I had a hard time with it. The section that left a bad taste in my mouth was when he pretty much said classical music is beneath him to listen to as now that he is closer to God it’s better to only listen to Hymns. Now don't get me wrong I love a good hymn and I don't like a lot of modern Christian music as it is fluff or not biblical. But it was almost like he was putting hymns on a pedestal that should not be there. It was a weird chapter I really wish Tozer was alive to explain that chapter better as James L. Snyder cannot answer exactly what Tozer was thinking when he wrote that. It was not the best writings of Tozer's I would rather stick to the books that he wrote when he was alive and not this one.
I was given this book Bethany House Publishers for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.
I was given this book Bethany House Publishers for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.
February 12, 2017
This book is actually a collection of A.W. Tozer sermons that was later compiled and edited by James Snyder. As with most Tozer books, I found this to be personally edifying.
June 1, 2017
For a book titled delighting in God, this was quite a downer. Tozer has some great points, but he seems to think that everyone everywhere has everything wrong, and we are doing nothing but wrong in our following and pursuit of God and in our faith.
I have no experience with Tozer, and it appears that his personality is very much in-line with the writings in this book (he frequently excuses his points or chapters by saying things like "People frequently say I'm [character trait], but I'm just trying to be honest and I think...").
That said, I do agree with a number of his teachings, but there are a few (music in particular, and the "fact" that God does no intend joy for us, etc) that I don't.
I have no experience with Tozer, and it appears that his personality is very much in-line with the writings in this book (he frequently excuses his points or chapters by saying things like "People frequently say I'm [character trait], but I'm just trying to be honest and I think...").
That said, I do agree with a number of his teachings, but there are a few (music in particular, and the "fact" that God does no intend joy for us, etc) that I don't.
August 2, 2016
I gave up when he said we shouldn't refer to God as "big"...I understand his point but find it silly to throw out our language just because it doesn't capture God's majesty. The point of his book is that nothing captures God's majesty (which is true), but to me Towzer takes too much time complaining over this point! Since nothing captures God's majesty, should we then throw out all words? To that I say...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2016
It had some good parts to it, but mostly it was compiled from Tozer's sermons and notes and didn't have the same flow that one of his books usually has. That and there was a good bit of Arminian and Dispensationalism that crept in
August 8, 2016
I wasn't particularly impressed by this work by A.W. Tozer. Many of his books are quite good. He rants a lot in this one unfortunately.
June 12, 2025
Time to read a book that will nourish my mind and soul.
I imagine that it will be hard to ‘take delight’ in someone we hardly know. ‘Delighting in God’ suggests the need to know God for who He is. It goes beyond knowing about God. A. W. Tozer invites readers to experience God for themselves.
In his own words, “It is simply not enough to know about God. We must know God in increasing levels of intimacy that lift us above all reason and into adoration and praise and worship.”
One of the things that struck me is Tozer’s take on the limitations of reason when it comes to seeking God:
“The problem is when we bring reason into the spiritual realm. Reason, by its very nature is limited and therefore cannot help us in our pursuit of the unlimited God. Reason may bring us to the door, but only faith can unlock the door that we may go into the presence of God. Faith is not unreasonable; it just operates above the reach of reason. Faith enables us to jump from one point on earth into the very heart of God.”
In clear and simple terms, Tozer elucidates the nature of the Triune God. We learn about His preeminence, omnipotence, goodness, grace, and mercy. Not new knowledge but an edifying reminder. Tozer stated that our perception of God is important because it determines everything that we do.
In this book, Tozer was honest in decrying how churches had swung to extremes of putting on a show (i.e., focusing on entertainment) rather than drawing folks to the object of worship. This book was a compilation of Tozer’s sermons and writings more than fifty years after his death in 1963, but the shortfalls described apply today and perhaps are even more amplified.
I read this book slowly over a few months and will likely revisit it in the future. Tozer and I share a love of hymns. Each chapter ends with a hymn that illustrates the topic of discussion. It serves as a fitting benediction. Thank you, A. W. Tozer.
I imagine that it will be hard to ‘take delight’ in someone we hardly know. ‘Delighting in God’ suggests the need to know God for who He is. It goes beyond knowing about God. A. W. Tozer invites readers to experience God for themselves.
In his own words, “It is simply not enough to know about God. We must know God in increasing levels of intimacy that lift us above all reason and into adoration and praise and worship.”
One of the things that struck me is Tozer’s take on the limitations of reason when it comes to seeking God:
“The problem is when we bring reason into the spiritual realm. Reason, by its very nature is limited and therefore cannot help us in our pursuit of the unlimited God. Reason may bring us to the door, but only faith can unlock the door that we may go into the presence of God. Faith is not unreasonable; it just operates above the reach of reason. Faith enables us to jump from one point on earth into the very heart of God.”
In clear and simple terms, Tozer elucidates the nature of the Triune God. We learn about His preeminence, omnipotence, goodness, grace, and mercy. Not new knowledge but an edifying reminder. Tozer stated that our perception of God is important because it determines everything that we do.
In this book, Tozer was honest in decrying how churches had swung to extremes of putting on a show (i.e., focusing on entertainment) rather than drawing folks to the object of worship. This book was a compilation of Tozer’s sermons and writings more than fifty years after his death in 1963, but the shortfalls described apply today and perhaps are even more amplified.
I read this book slowly over a few months and will likely revisit it in the future. Tozer and I share a love of hymns. Each chapter ends with a hymn that illustrates the topic of discussion. It serves as a fitting benediction. Thank you, A. W. Tozer.
June 12, 2024
Aiden Wilson Tozer, commonly known as A.W. Tozer, was a prominent American Christian pastor, preacher, author, and spiritual mentor. Born on April 21, 1897, in La Jose, Pennsylvania, Tozer spent much of his life in Akron, Ohio, where he eventually became a pastor. His deep devotion to God and his commitment to the pursuit of spiritual truth made him a highly respected figure in evangelical circles.
Tozer's journey towards becoming one of the most influential Christian voices of the 20th century was marked by a thirst for spiritual knowledge and a relentless pursuit of God's presence. Despite lacking formal theological training, his profound insights into Scripture and the Christian life captivated audiences worldwide.
One of Tozer's most notable works is "The Pursuit of God," which remains a timeless classic in Christian literature. In this book, Tozer invites readers to embark on a journey of intimacy with God, emphasizing the importance of pursuing Him above all else.
Another significant contribution to Christian literature by Tozer is "Delighting in God." In this book, Tozer explores the concept of finding joy and fulfillment in God alone. He emphasizes the need for believers to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than seeking satisfaction in worldly pursuits. Through profound insights and heartfelt reflections, Tozer encourages readers to prioritize their relationship with God and experience the joy of His presence.
As someone who has enjoyed Tozer's writings, "Delighting in God" likely resonated with me due to its emphasis on the joy and satisfaction found in God Himself. Tozer's eloquent prose and profound spiritual insights make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and find true fulfillment in Him.
Tozer's journey towards becoming one of the most influential Christian voices of the 20th century was marked by a thirst for spiritual knowledge and a relentless pursuit of God's presence. Despite lacking formal theological training, his profound insights into Scripture and the Christian life captivated audiences worldwide.
One of Tozer's most notable works is "The Pursuit of God," which remains a timeless classic in Christian literature. In this book, Tozer invites readers to embark on a journey of intimacy with God, emphasizing the importance of pursuing Him above all else.
Another significant contribution to Christian literature by Tozer is "Delighting in God." In this book, Tozer explores the concept of finding joy and fulfillment in God alone. He emphasizes the need for believers to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than seeking satisfaction in worldly pursuits. Through profound insights and heartfelt reflections, Tozer encourages readers to prioritize their relationship with God and experience the joy of His presence.
As someone who has enjoyed Tozer's writings, "Delighting in God" likely resonated with me due to its emphasis on the joy and satisfaction found in God Himself. Tozer's eloquent prose and profound spiritual insights make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and find true fulfillment in Him.
December 8, 2017
I listened to this book. I have fond memories of reading Tozer's "The Pursuit of God" many years ago. I was ready to be greatly blessed by this book. There is some good material here, but I was left wondering if I should reread "The Pursuit of God" to see if the years have changed my perspective on Tozer's writing or if this was a different kind of book. I knew that I would not be completely comfortable with some of his mysticism and higher life perspective, but I was not prepared for the two characteristics that stuck out to me the most. The two main impressions I had from this book was 1) More philosophical and hovering over the bible rather than Bible-driven. 2) He is extremely negative about the church. I am all for critiquing the church, but explicitly with the Bible. And I am all for necessary consideration of negative things because we are rooted in the Bible. I know there are some that cannot handle "negative" communication about sin and problems in the church. I am not one of those, but I found out that I have very little patience for negative communication about the church that is not clearly rooted in Scripture. There is something very disheartening to hear someone be negative about the church and get the sense that it is a personal rant rather than a submission to what God's Word says and being compelled by express statements of Scripture to address them. Sadly, the material in this book that did encourage me to delight in God was suppressed by this two factors. I do want to go back and read previous works I have read from Tozer. My hope is that this is an exception to the rule I thought I knew about him as an author.
November 6, 2020
A.W. Tozer is a wise and godly guide. In Delighting in God, Tozer urges us to experience and desire God more. Tozer wants to demonstrate how the character of God draws us into his delight. Tozer says, “The great secret of the Christian life is to begin experiencing God as He desires me to experience Him. God’s greatest delight is to bring me into His presence.” Again, “It is one thing to have a lot of information about God, but it is another thing to bask in the warmth and reality of His presence.”
Each chapter is focused on a character attribute of God and ends with a hymn that delights in that attribute.
I really appreciate Tozer and wanted to like this book more than I did. What held me back? First, while Tozer speaks many times about the necessity of humility, that came in conflict from time to time with a certain curmudgeonliness. Tozer rails against contemporary modes of church (the book comes from sermons written in the mid-twentieth century), and tends to elevate things that are dated (he diminishes new hymns and new translations). At times he is also dismissive of theology as a means of growing closer to Christ for more simple forms.
There is much to gain from Tozer's wisdom, but ultimately I would point to reader elsewhere for a more helpful treatment of the subject. For instance, John Piper's "Desiring God," or "The Pleasures of God," or Jeremiah Burrough's "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment," or Michael Reeves's "Delighting in the Trinity."
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
Each chapter is focused on a character attribute of God and ends with a hymn that delights in that attribute.
I really appreciate Tozer and wanted to like this book more than I did. What held me back? First, while Tozer speaks many times about the necessity of humility, that came in conflict from time to time with a certain curmudgeonliness. Tozer rails against contemporary modes of church (the book comes from sermons written in the mid-twentieth century), and tends to elevate things that are dated (he diminishes new hymns and new translations). At times he is also dismissive of theology as a means of growing closer to Christ for more simple forms.
There is much to gain from Tozer's wisdom, but ultimately I would point to reader elsewhere for a more helpful treatment of the subject. For instance, John Piper's "Desiring God," or "The Pleasures of God," or Jeremiah Burrough's "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment," or Michael Reeves's "Delighting in the Trinity."
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
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