Reclaiming Christianity: A Call to Authentic Faith [Paperback]

A.W. Tozer (Author), James L. Snyder (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Does the Church use words that have lost their meaning? Are there Christian words and phrases that have lost their power to convict the human spirit and bring transformation to the world? One of the twentieth century's most renowned prophetic thinkers, A.W. Tozer, saw a dangerous trend gaining momentum even before his death---a trend that has become commonplace now in the twenty-first century. In this never-before-published book, Tozer sounds his alarm for the modern Church: We must stop parroting words carelessly, and instead allow the meaning that these words convey to empower, shape and direct the work of the Church. Yet Reclaiming Christianity is not just a warning; it is a spiritual guidebook for reconnecting to the deepest meaning of Christianity's sacred messages.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"The world usually takes the Church in before the Church takes the world in." A.W. Tozer

Until the day he died, A.W. Tozer never deviated form exhorting the Church to walk like those who truly belong to the kingdom of God. Although he never softened his censure of what he called "churchianity" built around showmanship, he believed the Church was ripe for reformation, and he longed to see its return to the Holy Spirit-filled, humble, loving fellowship that typified the Early Church.

If you have ever wondered wht the Church has little influence in the world today, and, equally, how your life could more closely reflect the powerful witness that characterized the early Christians, Tozer's flinty and uncompromising words will remind you of what is missing and challenge you to shun what is superficial so that you can walk toward authentic faith. 

About the Author

A.W.TOZER was a minister in the Christian & Missionary Alliance from 1919 to1963 and was editor of the “Alliance Witness” (now “ALife”) from 1950 to1963. Tozer, during his lifetime wrote many books, The Pursuit of God being his most famous. Along with books, Tozer wrote many essays published in the major Christian publications of his day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Regal; Original edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830746900
• ISBN-13: 978-0830746903
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Antidote to the Lukewarm Church, December 25, 2009

By 

Warren Rachele "Doulos Christou" (Southcentral Idaho) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Reclaiming Christianity: A Call to Authentic Faith (Paperback)

Like Ravenhill, Bridges, Stedman and other contemporary prophets, A.W. Tozer never in his lifetime stopped calling the Church back to her first love, holiness and purity in Jesus Christ. Tozer was never one to tiptoe around the need for the Church and her individual members to stand apart from the world, to walk and talk as those called out to be God's people. His criticism could be brash but it was always rooted in a no-nonsense biblical faith that he drew directly from the scriptures. To read Tozer is face the man as he points out the many areas in which you have compromised with the world and in which you risk becoming lukewarm, or worse.

Reclaiming Christianity is a collection of essays that are just this year seeing the light of publication day. In each, Tozer issues the same call for restoration from what he saw as a weak and ineffective Church. He saw her drifting toward entertainment rather than solemnity, modeling her activities on big business rather than community, and drawing her members toward a lukewarm faith rather than holiness.

Remember, brother Tozer went home in 1963. Can you imagine what he would see in today's church?

This is an excellent collection of short reads that will confront you on every page. Even if you have convinced yourself that you have no areas of compromise, the author's words will penetrate the thick blanket of justification and ignite the Spirit of conviction within. Let the words sink in, open your Bible and fall to your knees before the Lord. He will quicken your passion and you can do the same favor for your brother.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speaking the truth with power, November 15, 2010

By 

Kathy Rowland - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reclaiming Christianity: A Call to Authentic Faith (Paperback)

This is the third book I've read of A.W. Tozer's, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. His message is clear and easy to understand. He calls us back to God's Word and the to power of God's Holy Spirit that makes His Word alive to us. I wish I could have heard him preach in person! The only difficulty I find in his books is the use of the KJV translation for all the Scripture quotations, which are sometimes more difficult for me to follow. But I realize that since Tozer preached from the KJV, it might have been too difficult for the editor to substitute a more modern translation. Tozer's teaching is worth any extra effort it takes to follow the KJV quotations.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Message, July 25, 2011

By 

Michael R. Cooper (Jefferson City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Reclaiming Christianity: A Call to Authentic Faith (Paperback)

As always, the words of Tozer point us to where we should be. In his typical unashamed and unfiltered manner, he gets to the heart of the matter rather quickly. Much like the prophets of the Old Testament, he is unwavering in his proclamation of truth. Our faith is not about our expectations and wants. Rather it is a call to surrender our loves to the life-changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you are content with contemporary Christianity, then you will want to avoid this book, and any book that Tozer wrote. However, if you are wanting to open your mind and spirit up to the possibility that God desires more from you than what our self-centered approach to the teachings of Jesus has embraced over the past 100 years, then this book will help you to wrestle with those issues that matter and focus your attention on the only One Who can truly transform the human heart and the culture in which we live.