Church: Living Faithfully as the People of God – A.W. Tozer

A.W. Tozer, Church: Living Faithfully as the People of God (Chicago: Moody Press, 2019), 164 pp.

Church by A.W. Tozer is a collection of essays that the well-known pastor penned in the twentieth century. Tozer is a beloved writer and has blessed the church with books like The Knowledge of the Holy and The Pursuit of God. Tozer combines a blend of biblical wisdom and warm prose that encourages and admonishes followers of Christ. He has a unique way of drawing readers in, cornering them with the truth, and sending them out equipped and encouraged. The Church is no exception.

This book addresses a series of topics, all related to the church. Tozer focuses on matters that pertain to leadership, organization, unity, and the purposes of the church – to name a few. The book is packed with important challenges that Christians should carefully heed. One such challenge rightly summarizes the essence and tone of the book. Tozer writes, “The Christian must not allow himself to be entrapped by current vogues in religion, and above all, he must never go to the world for his message. He is a man of heaven sent to give witness on earth. As he shall give account to the Lord that bought him, let him see to his commission.”

While Church is a deeply encouraging and challenging book, it is not without its weaknesses. Sadly, Tozer commends the writing of Charles Finney several times. Finney, of course, denied the doctrine of original sin and penal substitutionary atonement and should therefore never be commended. Someone of Tozer’s capabilities should know better.

Apart from this critique, Church is certainly worth reading and will no doubt encourage many readers. May the people of God live faithfully in a generation that has turned away from his Word and his gospel.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.