'25 SUMMER READING LIST, #11 - "THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY" BY A.W. TOZER

 I started this series off with a review "25 Books Every Christian Should Read" by Renovare, an organization that focuses on Christian mysticism and spiritual foundation. Considering that A.W. Tozer is considered a Christian mysticism, it should be a slam dunk that this (or another) book would be included. But it isn't.

I also have mentioned the differences between Biblical and Systematic theology. This book is an example of the latter. Tozer looks at nineteen  attributes of God. 

This is a challenging read. Me and some other men went through this book recently. But this book is rightly considered a classic.

BOOK REVIEW: "KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY" BY A.W. TOZER

 

I have finished my third reading of this classic. The first time, it was a text-book on the Doctrine of God at Bible college. This time, I'm leading a study on this book with four other friends at church, with three different covers on the books we're reading. Three of them are using the above edition; my nearly 40 year old printing is falling apart as we go through it.

For those unfamiliar with "Knowledge of the Holy" by A.W. Tozer, this book focuses on the attributes of God. Tozer points out that our finite, created, minds are not capable to understand a Sovereign, Omnipotent (all powerful), Omnipresent (present everywhere), Omniscient (all knowing), eternal (operating outside of time), self-sufficient (in other words, He doesn't need us) Creator. Yet that same Creator is calling us to turn to Him.

Almost every chapter starts off with a prayer, and each chapter closes with a poem. Some of the language is more traditional, King James style. But this book is a welcome challenge, and I believe every Christian should read it, and it might open the eyes of some who aren't Christians. 

I highly recommend this book.

JEFF'S NON-FICTION READING OF 2020

 It's been an odd year. And with all the craziness, I didn't read much non-fiction. That surprised me: I expected with short hours at work not to read as much fiction and having more time to read non-fiction. Nope. The 28 fiction books I read was at the high end of normal, the 8 non-fiction wasn't. And I'll admit - I didn't finish one of the books I included yet.

Two variations. First, this list will not necessarily be my favorite non-fiction read this year. I'm including my first and last favorite in the list. Also, while I normally rank the non-fiction, this year I'm doing what I do with the fiction: putting them in alphabetic order by title. 

1. Building The Benedict Option by Leah Libresco. I've been promoting Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option for years (Dreher wrote the foreword for this book). This book is a follow-up on how to build community among believers. Dreher gives the why, Libresco suggests some hows. Enjoyable and thoughtful reading - she gave me some ideas including Easter caroling.
   
2. Come To The Lord'sTable by Claude King. The author, brother of my good friend and former pastor Dennis King, presents a 4-week guide for preparing for the Lord's Supper (aka Communion, Eucharist). King, who co-wrote Experiencing God with Henry Blackaby, has some practical ideas on getting your heart ready for this solemn Christian sacrament/ordinance. Included are some meditations by Andrew Murray.
   
3. The Gospel Comes With A House Key by Rosaria Butterfield. Excellent book dealing with showing hospitality, a very counter-cultural activity nowadays. I read it after reading the above mentioned Building The Benedict Option, and found it interesting to compare. You may not agree with her views, but she does a good job of showing how you can serve your brothers and sisters in Christ and be a witness to the lost.
   
4. The Knowledge Of The Holy by A. W. Tozer. The classic devotional volume on the attributes of God. I read this as one of the textbooks in Theology I at Bible College back in '85, and finally reread it. Wonderful book. If you haven't read it, you should.
5. The Life Of Christ In Stereo by Johnston M. Cheney. Like the above entry, a textbook from college, this time for Life Of Christ. This is a harmony of the Gospels where the author makes use of every word in the four Gospels. In doing so, he has some conclusions that are non-traditional, such as that Jesus' ministry was four years and that Peter denied Him a total of six times before the rooster crowed twice.
   
6. ReGrace by Frank Viola. This book, subtitled "What the Shocking Beliefs of the Great Christians Can Teach Us Today", has the valid, useful, and needed assumption is that Christian leaders are not infallible and thus we should not write someone of if we disagree with one doctrine.
   
7. Shapers of Christian Orthodoxy, edited by Bradley Green. This is a collection of ten individuals who impacted Christian thought through the centuries. (Technically, eight chapters - the Three Cappodocians were dealt with in the same chapter). If you want an introduction to the Church Fathers, I'd go with Bryan Litfin's Getting To Know The Church Fathers. Then, you're ready for this one. This goes deeper into the theology of these individuals.
8. With by Skye Jethani. This book was recommended by my good friend Josh Jacobs. Jethani mentions that people try to live a life for God, from God, over God, or under God, when His desire is for us to have a life with God.

Have you read any of these books? Are you motivated to read any of them? What books have you read?