Thursday, March 3, 2011

Review of A. W. Tozer Selections From Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey

From the Library of A. W. Tozer: Selections From Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey





A.W. Tozer is considered one of the greatest pastors and evangelists from the first half of this century. Many of his sermons and personal writings have been published and have edified many a pastor and serious -minded Christian thinker ever since.


Surprisingly, Tozer lacked college and seminary training but became one of the most influential Christian educators of the twentieth century. How could this be? Well, if you read this book, containing selections of writers that Tozer read, you will see how extensive reading of substantial literature and studying the thoughts of great minds, is as good an education as can be acquired through any formal education.

In A. W. Tozer: Selections From Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey, the author, James Stuart Bell has comprised a collection of works by some 200 authors whose works were studied by Tozer and impacted his own ministry. In the introduction, Bell asks a rhetorical question: Why should you read the material in this book by some of the “most famous and influential minds in Church history?” His answer: “Because Tozer read them.”

In this book you will read excerpts “representing the pinnacle” of writings by St. Augustine, Thomas A kempes, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Milton and D. L. Moody to name a few. At the back of the book is a short biography of each writer. Most excerpts are a page long, two at the most, but the material is so meaty and thought-provoking that the book should be read like a devotional, just one selection a day.

The book is also divided up into eight chapters that, according to Bell, each emphasize an important theme of Tozer's own life and writing. These sections include: Worship, Prayer, Prophetic Words, Reflections on the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Christian Doctrine and Living the Christian Life.

A couple of gems I found in the book were John Wesley's Covenant prayer and Martin Luther's small catechism on sin. It also includes a portion of the beautiful, “Paradise Lost” by John Milton.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable supplement to any Bible study and quiet time. If one wants to meditate on the thoughts of great spiritual thinkers that allowed a man such as Tozer to deepen his own spiritual walk with the Lord, this book is a good choice.
I received this book as a complimentary copy from Bethany Publishing House for my honest review.



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19 comments:

Howard Sherman said...

My favorite book villain is, hands down, is the Napoleon of crime -
Professor James Moriarty.

It took me less than ten seconds to come up with my answer. But you'll
never guess why.

Hop on over to my blog and find out -- http://www.howardsherman.net

Howard Sherman
http://www.howardsherman.net

Sharon Wilfong said...

@Howard: Because you've read every single Sherlock Holmes story. So have I;)

Linda said...

I stopped over from Follow Friends over 40. Nice blog, I read, but not nearly as much as you!

Sharon Wilfong said...

Hi Linda. Thanks for visiting. Now I'll have to come visit your blog and see watchya got!

Mystica said...

Coming through on the blog hop. Please come over and check out my choice of villain

Melissa said...

I never would have picked up this book, until I read your review. Thanks!

Sharon Wilfong said...

Glad to hear it! Reviewing for publishing companies has introduced me as well to many books I might otherwise have not known about.

Sharon Wilfong said...

@ Mystica, will do!

Renee said...

Sounds like a great book to have on hand! And I've enjoyed looking through your blog. Thanks for visiting me at Doorkeeper. Blessings!

Sharon Wilfong said...

Thanks for stopping by, Renee Ann. Have a great day!

1 Funky Woman said...

I love book reviews. It opens my mind to books I never would have picked myself!

Now following, thanks!

Megan

Bellamay said...

thanks for the follow :) Ifollowed back

Sharon Wilfong said...

1 Funky Woman: I know what you mean. I read far more types of books now than I formerly did:)
Bellamay: Thanks for visiting.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

My stepfather would have looooved that book. He was very interested in church history/theology. It sounds like a fascinating read. Milton's "Paradise Lost" is one of my faves!!

Thanks so much for joining my Weekend Bloggy Reading party! Have fun finding some new reads, and I hope you'll stop by Serenity Now again soon. :)

Sharon Wilfong said...

Thanks, Amanda I will!

Phyllis Winn said...

I have listened to Tozer on cassette tapes. It's obviously been a while! Timeless, though..I really appreciated this review. Thanks, Sharon.

Sharon Wilfong said...

I ironically don't think I've read Tozer. In fact I requested this book because I thought it was a book of Tozer's writings. It's still a great book, though.

Amy said...

My husband will love this book. I am going to Amazon to get it for him. Thanks for the review!

Sharon Wilfong said...

@SccialStudiesSoubrette: Thanks for visiting my blog. If you buy the book through my blog (by clicking on the button at the end of the post) I'll get a small percentage of the cost:)