Attributes of God

For once, a book that focuses of God and not man!

This book is based on the sermons of A.W. Tozer, a man who served as a pastor for 44 years without benefit of any college or seminary training. Tozer discusses 10 of God's attributes, from his mercy and grace to his immensity and holiness. In the back of the book, David Fessenden adds a study guide which can be used by an individual or by a group. Tozer contends that our faith can only be as big as our God and he feels that we have "watered down" our Lord and as a result, we have also reduced out faith. In each chapter Tozer tells the reader about one of God's characteristics, then defines it and discusses how this attribute effects the life of the believer. In the process he answers questions such as "Why Are We Not Happy?" and shows us that God is perfect and infinite in every way. God's Lordship derives not from what He does but in who He is, and Tozer does a good job of helping us understand that better.

In this offering the esteemed theologian A.W. Tozer tackles the rather daunting task of trying to explain the attributes of God both individually and as they relate to each other and the whole of God's character. While I don't think it's humanly possible to plumb this topic to its depths and get it right, I think Tozer does it about as well as can be expected of anyone who is limited by mortal flesh and a finite mind.This is the first book I've ever read by this author, and have done so as part of my small group bible study. Week by week, chapter by chapter, we have delved into topics like God's infinitude, mercy, grace, goodness, justice and immanence, to name just a few. Most recently we have confronted the almost impossible to comprehend topics of God's holiness and perfection -- just try to define either one of these! Tozer is quick to admit that he can't, but tries his best anyway.This book is not just an academic exercise in theology, although it will certainly help you gain some solid doctrinal footing. As the subtitle suggests, this is about trying to know God's heart, to understand who He really is in the rich diversity of his character traits. All that God is, he is infinitely and perfectly. The more we grow to understand these truths, the more we are challenged to grow and change, to be conformed to the image of Christ, who in turn is the express image of God's person (Heb. 1:3).Tozer leads his readers on a soul-searching, convicting journey that forces us to come to grips with just how awesome and "other" this God is, and how much we differ from what He is and commands us to be. The book is filled with marvelous illustrations that make these mind-bending concepts a little easier to grasp. My personal favorite is the bucket in the ocean -- you'll understand when you read it for yourself. Throughout the entire book, Tozer avoids sounding "theological", that is, he writes in simple, understandable language liberally sprinkled with colloquial, down-home talk.If you've never read Tozer before, this is a great place to start. There's also a second volume on this subject which will definitely find its way onto my personal reading list. This book will expand your mind and challenge you to think about how your character stacks up to God's own, and His expectations for us. "Be holy, for I am holy." Man, that's a tall order, but this book is a helpful step in the right direction.

Any Tozer book is worth reading, but he really shines when he delves into the personality of God. If you will allow it this book's information can bring you closer to God and give you a better understanding as to why certain things are the way they are.