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A.W. Tozer was never one to mince words. He was a preacher who fervently desired to see people awestruck and amazed by the transcendent God. He preached to the heart and yet maintained a strong emphasis on the head-knowledge that touches the heart.

Tozer on Worship and Entertainment is a compilation of excerpts from many of Tozer’s sermons and talks on worship. It begins with Tozer’s well-known teaching on worship. Some of Tozer’s best quotes are included here. The editor was wise to begin the book with the positive picture of worship that Tozer paints. Tozer describes, defines, and desires true worship. He stresses adoration of God over and over again. His passion for worship is breathtaking at times.

In the second half of the book, Tozer turns his aim to the current state of worship in the church, and mainly the infiltration of “entertainment” into worship services. Most of these excerpts come from Tozer’s work in the 1950’s and 1960’s, which makes one wonder what Tozer would think about the current situation. The most controversial chapter is the book’s last – one that declares all drama and acting to be sinful. Surely Tozer has overstated his case at this point, but that does not mean his critique of the current situation is to be dismissed.

Part of the fun in reading Tozer comes from the colorful way in which he talks. Take this quote for instance:

“The church today is suffering from a rash of amateurism. Any untrained, unprepared, unspiritual, empty rattletrap of a fellow who is a bit ambitious can start himself something religious. Then we all listen to him, pay him for it, promote him and work to try to help this fellow who never heard from God in the first place.”

This is classic Tozer. Though he is sometimes off base, he’s more right than wrong. The second half of the book is more critical than the first, but I actually found myself more convicted by the earlier chapters. Tozer’s passion for worship is infectious and his desire to see the Lord high and lifted up reminds me of the Bible prophets who would settle for nothing less than full worship of the heart.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

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