Inspired By Tozer: 50 Artists, Writers and Leaders Share the Insight and Passion They've Gained from A. W. Tozer

by Lauren Barlow (Editor)

When A. W. Tozer talked about worship, people listened. Tozer lived and wrote a century ago, casting a vision of authentic faith that has taken root in the hearts of each new generation. Lauren Barlow of BarlowGirl is one who has been prodded by Tozer. Now she and a stellar lineup of artists, writers and leaders who have also been inspired by Tozer have created a book of 60 digest-sized, melt your heart, inflame your passion readings. Contributors include Natalie Grant, Charles Swindoll, Ravi Zacharias, Randy Alcorn, Bill Johnson, Darlene Zschech, Dan Kimball, Lisa Bevere, Rebecca Barlow of BarlowGirl, Joni Eareckson Tada, Susan Perlman, Kurt Warner, Elmer Towns, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Kirsten Haglund, Mike Bickle, Shane Claiborne, Britt Nicole, Kenn Gulliksen, Kris Vallotton, Bodie and Brock Thoene, Nancy Alcorn, Britt Merrick, Johnny Hunt, Bianca Juarez, Gregg Matte, Cynthia Heald, Judah Smith, Ben Kasica of Skillet, Jenn Gotzon, Michael Catt, Kimberly L. Smith, Dudley Rutherford, James Mead of Kutless, Alex McFarland, Scott Smith of K-LOVE radio, Tommy Walker, Ted Travis, Jane Albright, Mark Foreman, Alyssa Barlow of BarlowGirl, Adam Agee of Stellar Kart, Lisa Robson, Torry Martin, Abbie Smith, Stephen Christian of Anberlin, Jamie Owens Collins, Robert Whitt, Wes and David Beavis, David Carr of Third Day, Esther Lovejoy, Vince and MaryAnn Barlow, Pam Farrel, Paul Clark, Bruce Wilkinson, Tony Nolan, Stan Jantz and Cecil Murphey.

Genres: Christian Living, Nonfiction

236 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ktmattison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a note taker usually. I read a book, and take mental notes maybe, but I have always been a person that was bothered by notes and underlines in books. This book was so good in so many places that I found myself finding scrap pages wherever I could to take notes on. I almost bought myself a second copy just so I could mark up the parts that were so good.

Each chapter is written by a different person, and in very different styles, so not every chapter is going to blow you away, but there are so many very well written, and hard-hitting chapters in there. I even came way with matterial for a few blogs from it.

Now I just wish Lauren would do more books like this ;)

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was first introduced to the writings of A.W. Tozer while attending Geneva College. At least one of his books was required reading for all students there at that time. I was hooked by his passion for knowing God and growing in godliness.
This book, "Inspired by Tozer," has musings and devotional writings by 59 artists, writers and teachers who have been influenced by Tozer and his books.
I was genuinely excited to read this. I was especially attracted by the subtitle, "59 Artists, Writers and Leaders Share the Insight and Passion They've Gained from A.W. Tozer." I was hoping to see works of visual art in response to Tozer's themes.
In that, I was a bit disappointed. It seems that the editor, a singer/recording artist/songwriter with "Barlow Girls," was referring to recording artists, not illustrators.
However, many of the essays and short memoirs are engaging and interesting. I found myself connecting to quite a few of the stories and devotionals.
I probably would have rated it higher if there had been some effective illustrations, but that was just my subjective response. It was interesting to see how youth leaders, pastors, and writers applied the truths Tozer brought to light.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Tozier has greatly enhanced my own Christian theology. In this book well-known Christians share a Tozier quote that has impacted their lives. They are short and could be read as a daily devotional. As with any book of this kind, some expositions talked to me, others didn't. I loved what Joni Erickson Tada had to say on the Tozier quote, "Holiness is Godlikeness." In her segment she said, "Fundamentally, Jesus came to earth to square off against sin. His lifelong goal was to conquer it on the cross, as well as to confront it in the attitudes and actions of people He encountered. So if we want to be like Christ - like God - that means cultivating a disdain for sin - in the world and in our neighborhoods, but mainly in our hearts." At the end of the book were some Tozer-grams, which was what he called a weekly column he wrote for "The Alliance Weekly." I loved these. I need to find more Tozer-grams.

[Trina Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept seeing references to AW Tozer in other books I was reading, so I thought I needed to learn more about him. Wow, he was full of wisdom and God's grace. He inspired a lot of people and changed a lot of lives. Good stuff.