The Pursuit of God

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The Pursuit of God

books since 1900 are likely to become classics?” Tozer replied, “If I might venture a pure guess, the answer would be—None.” 7 At the time, neither he nor his inquirer were aware that a legitimate candidate for modern spiritual classic was emerging right in front of them: Tozer’s own The Pursuit of God , published just eleven years earlier. A story circulates about how this little book came to be. If the account is reliable, the writing started in earnest one evening as Tozer embarked on an all-night train ride from Chicago down to Texas. A burst of creative energy (aided by a little tea and toast) sustained him in his compartment the whole night through. By morning, as the train pulled into the station, the book was basically complete. 8 Tozer was a prolific spiritual writer, and later in this volume we offer recommendations for further reading of his works. 9 But The Pursuit of God is a natural gateway to the rest of his writings. The little volume breathes a holy discontent with the merely formal and superficial aspects of organized Christianity. In their place, it offers hope of actually beholding and delighting in God in all his glory. It tantalizes readers with the possibility of replacing external religiosity with direct encounter with the wondrous presence of God. Tozer’s aim was to win over readers’ hearts to the core truth that only God himself can fully satisfy our deepest soul longings. It was certainly so for Tozer himself. His goal in 7 A. W. Tozer to William Petersen, December 14, 1959, Ambrose University Library Archives. In fairness, Tozer’s list did include one twentieth century work: Thomas Kelly’s A Testament of Devotion (1941). 8 Dorsett, A Passion for God , 120. 9 See “Continuing the Conversation.”