Friday, March 23, 2018

Mostly Devotional A.W. Tozer Bible

A W Tozer Bible – by Pastor Ken “Max” Parks 03-23-2018


Without having a formal theological education or a degree in business and seminary study,  A.W. Tozer was one of the most prolific writers of the Christian faith. However, he did receive an honorary doctorate degree from Wheaton College.

“The A.W. Tozer Bible,” is presented in the King James Version along with several excerpts of Tozer writings from his books, such as the popular “God’s Pursuit of Man” and “The Pursuit of God” (to be reviewed at a later date).  The Bible is composed of more than 1600 pages, and the paper thickness is sufficient in that the ghosting (lettering from the behind printing) is not that noticeable.  It is a red-letter Bible with all the Scriptures in non-paragraph style.  The font size is about a 10 and easy on the eyes.  Although the black print is well done, the red lettering could be a brighter red color.  There are no ribbons, but one can purchase a set of Bible ribbons and add it to this Bible.  There is an imitation leather Bible with golden gilding by Hendrickson Publishing.

The A.W. Tozer Bible dust-cover-sleeve is well done with raised letters and the image of a white-toped mountain.  Hedrickson Publishing has done well in the presentation of Tozer’s materials in color and design of “On Scripture,” “Reflections,” and “Challenges.”

One of the styles of Tozer’s writing is that some of the excerpts are similar to prayer, which makes this a thought provoking Bible.  If one is not saved, this Bible will at least give that person room for thought.  Tozer has a tendency to prepare the ground and do some planting, while God does the watering. 

In one of Tozer’s excerpts, he expounds upon how God uses water as a theme for restoring man back to God as shown in Isaiah 8:6, whereby he states, “There are in the Bible, many references where God has used the precious, reviving, and life-sustaining qualities of streams and of water to give us a true and adequate figure of the gracious, life-giving salvation which he offers to all mankind.  He has promised. ‘I will give you streams of living water’…” – Tozer Speaks II.

There are many types of Bibles in publication, some meant to instill certain types of studies of Scripture, and others to provide theological biases, and some of daily devotional readings, but The A.W. Tozer Bible allows even for the seasoned veteran of the faith to read his excerpts of particular Scripture so as to give thought of an account of one’s faith and become a much better presenter of the message of the cross through the power of the Holy Spirit.

If I had my choice in the matter of redesigning this Bible, I would add a table of content for all of Tozer’s excerpts.  I would add more references to the side columns, and explanation of Scripture through some definition of Greek and Hebrew words for that time period when written.  It could be changed from a devotional type Bible to that of a study Bible.  Call it “The Tozer Study Bible.”

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