Summary
In The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer explores the deep longing within the human heart for a genuine connection with the Divine. He contrasts this profound desire with the superficiality and distractions of modern religious practices, emphasizing the importance of a personal encounter with God rather than mere adherence to doctrines or rituals. Tozer guides the reader through a journey of spiritual discovery, highlighting key principles such as the blessedness of possessing nothing, the removal of the veil of self, the cultivation of spiritual receptivity, and the recognition of God's speaking voice. He challenges the traditional division between the sacred and the secular, urging readers to view every aspect of life as a sacrament lived to the glory of God. Through scriptural references, historical examples, and introspective insights, Tozer provides a roadmap for those seeking a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with their Creator.
Tozer's work begins with the premise that God, as a loving personality, actively seeks to reveal Himself to humanity. He explores the concept of prevenient grace, asserting that God initiates the pursuit by placing an innate desire within us. The book challenges the notion of passive faith, emphasizing the need for an active and persistent pursuit of God, much like Moses' plea, "Show me thy glory." Tozer encourages readers to cultivate a holy longing, a thirst for the divine that cannot be quenched by mere religious practices. He warns against the dangers of complacency and the tendency to replace God with material possessions or worldly pursuits. This pursuit requires a willingness to embrace soul poverty, to strip away the layers of self that obscure the presence of God.
Tozer draws a parallel between the human heart and the Old Testament tabernacle. Just as the tabernacle housed the presence of God within its innermost chamber, the Holy of Holies, so too, the human heart is designed to be a dwelling place for God. However, sin has introduced complications. The veil of the self-life, woven from self-righteousness, self-pity, and other "self-sins," prevents us from fully experiencing the presence of God. Tozer emphasizes the importance of removing this veil, not through self-effort, but by surrendering to the work of the cross. He describes this process as painful, but necessary for entering into true spiritual experience.
The book delves into the concept of faith as a continuous gaze of the soul upon God. Tozer asserts that true faith is not a one-time act of acceptance but an ongoing, active beholding of the divine. He draws a parallel between the Israelites looking upon the bronze serpent in the wilderness and the believer's gaze upon Christ. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the serpent, so too, the believer finds life by focusing their heart's attention on Jesus. Tozer encourages readers to cultivate this habit of spiritual seeing, to train their inner eyes to perceive the reality of the unseen world.
Tozer explores the idea of God's universal presence, drawing upon the words of the psalmist, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" He emphasizes that God is not confined to specific locations or times but is omnipresent, always seeking to reveal Himself to humanity. However, Tozer distinguishes between God's presence and the manifestation of His presence. While God is always present, we may not always be aware of His presence. This awareness requires spiritual receptivity, an openness to the work of the Holy Spirit who reveals the Father and the Son.
The book examines the concept of God's speaking voice, referencing John's statement, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Tozer suggests that it is the nature of God to speak, to communicate His thoughts to creation. He explores the idea of God's voice as the creative force behind the universe, the power that brought order out of chaos and light out of darkness. Tozer distinguishes between God's speaking voice and the written Word of God, the Bible. While the Bible is a record of God's speech, it is God's present voice that gives the written word its power.
Tozer emphasizes the importance of meekness as a path to spiritual rest. He notes the prevalence of pride and pretense in the human heart and contrasts this with the meekness of Christ. The meek person, according to Tozer, is not weak or timid but has simply stopped being fooled about themselves. They have accepted God's estimate of their own life and have ceased to care about the esteem of the world. This allows them to find rest from the heavy burden of self-love and the need to maintain a false image. Tozer invites readers to embrace Christ's meekness and find true rest for their souls.
The concluding chapter challenges the traditional division between the sacred and the secular. Tozer argues that this dichotomy is not supported by the New Testament, which presents a unified view of life. He points to Christ as the ultimate example, whose life was a seamless expression of the Father's will. Tozer suggests that every act of a believer's life can be sacred, a sacrament expressing their devotion to God. He encourages readers to view their daily work, even mundane tasks like eating and drinking, as acts of worship. This requires a shift in perspective, a recognition that God is present in all our simple deeds. By sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts, Tozer suggests, we can transform the entire world into a sanctuary and live each day as a priestly ministration.