Review of The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

I first read about A.W. Tozer in a book by Warren Wiersbe called Walking with Giants.  In Wiersbe’s book a whole cadre of great Christian preachers are profiled and lessons are drawn from their preaching methodology, personal ethics, and scholastic achievements.  What struck me about the profile of Tozer was that while he was known to be a very forthright and uncompromising preacher, it was his prayer life that was legendary.  Wiersbe relates a meeting he had with Tozer when he was a young minister newly planted in Chicago.  The two had agreed to meet on this beach near lake Michigan where they would spend some time in prayer.  Wiersbe showed up in his suit and dress shoes while Tozer wore a pair of coveralls.  After a brief interview and cordial words Tozer suggested they go to prayer and fell face down on the beach praying with great fervency and complete abandon.  Wiersbe never forgot that meeting and realized he was witnessing a man who believed in God and truly believed in the importance and efficacy of prayer.  Needless to say Tozer’s writing is also filled with great passion and devotion and a certain timelessness that comes from someone who really has heard from God.  Tozer wrote The Knowledge of the Holy  in 1961 (just two years before his death), but it’s message is so relevant to our times that it could have been written a couple of months ago.  The premise of the book is that the most important knowledge a human being can acquire is the knowledge of God, for in such knowledge lies greater peace and confidence that we are loved and that Someone really is in control of the universe.  Such knowledge also warrants our worship and obedience.  Knowledge of the Holy is a concise book which features a short chapter on all the known attributes of God.  Tozer doesn’t spill a lot of ink building a biblical case for each attribute but rather treats each one as a logical conclusion from scripture and then explains what it specifically means to the believer and the living out of their faith.  This book is theological but is definitely not a theology as much as it is a great devotional.  I would recommend this book as a primer on the subject of Theology proper.  I’ll close this with a quote from Anselm of Canterbury which Tozer cites in the book: “Up now, slight man!  Flee for a little while thy occupations; hide thyself for a time from thy disturbing thoughts.  Cast aside now thy burdensome cares, and put away thy toilsome business.  Yield room for some little time to God, and rest for a little time in Him.  Enter the inner chamber of thy mind: shut out all thoughts save that of God and such as can aid thee in seeking him.  Speak now, my whole heart! Speak now to God, saying, I seek Thy face; Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” (P. 43).