The Counselor A.W. Tozer

A.W. Tozer's The Counselor exists as a edited collaboration of his earlier works When He is Come and The Tozer Pulpit, Vol. 2. The book definitely fits with the publishers goal of providing thought provoking material. However, my thoughts on this book are definitely torn.

The bulk of Tozer's argument is a necessary call to holiness and a cry for the return of the Holy Spirit in the church. His material constantly points readers back into the Word. He has a clarity and certainty in his material.

His presentation leaves a lot to be desired though.

Tozer's argument lives in a world where there isn't room for grey and operates in stark black and white. He simplifies life into a world that doesn't include the messiness of community (despite sections supporting the work of the unified body), an equality of believers in their sinfulness and redemption (prefers a very top down style, assured always correct preacher popular in his day), or a clarity in terms.

I found some of his points quite confusing as terms like joy and happiness switched from being interchangeable to individual terms (confusing the argument), points regarding the presence of the spirit in believers seemingly contradicted itself, and the indwelling of the spirit under his definition left very little room for sanctification.

I realize Tozer is still well respected and some of his points are worth exploring. However, due to the clarity and cultural differences which his writing is rooted in this wouldn't be my first choice for a book on this topic.

2.5 out of 5 stars.









I received this book from Moody Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion, the views expressed are my own.