A. W. Tozer

Aiden Wilson Tozer (1897-1963) was an American Christian pastor, author, editor, and spiritual mentor. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, he experienced a teenage conversion to Christianity in Ohio. Despite lacking formal theological education, Tozer began his pastoral ministry in 1919 with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), serving for 44 years across various congregations. He spent 33 of those years as a pastor, notably leading the Southside Alliance Church in Chicago for three decades and later pastoring in Toronto. Tozer was a self-educated man who felt contemporary Christianity was becoming too worldly. He began writing for the C&MA's magazine in 1931, which became the foundation for his prolific authorial career. His 1948 book, 'The Pursuit of God,' brought him widespread recognition among evangelicals. Tozer lived a simple, non-materialistic life, often donating royalties to those in need, though his intense ministry sometimes impacted his family life. He passed away in 1963, leaving behind a significant body of published works, many of which continue to be reissued.

Tozer's pastoral career spanned 44 years within the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), an evangelical Protestant denomination. He began his ministry without formal theological training, a fact that did not hinder his extensive service. Throughout his time as a pastor, which totaled 33 years across several churches, Tozer developed a critical perspective on the state of contemporary Christianity. He observed what he perceived as a dangerous trend of the church compromising its spiritual distinctiveness by embracing "worldly" concerns. This concern for spiritual purity and a deeper Christian life became a recurring theme in his writings and teachings, advocating for a faith that prioritized God above secular influences.

Emerging from his role as editor and writer for the C&MA's publication, Alliance Weekly, Tozer's writing career began in 1931. He authored various columns and eventually became the editor of the magazine until his death. His third book, 'The Pursuit of God' (1948), significantly elevated his profile within evangelical circles. Beyond the 12 books published during his lifetime, numerous other works have been compiled posthumously from his sermons, editorials, and magazine contributions. His writings, initially published by the denominational press, have since been acquired by major publishers, with some works now in the public domain and available from multiple sources. His book 'The Pursuit of God' was recognized as one of the "Books of the Century" by Christianity Today.

Born into poverty, Tozer was a self-taught individual who pursued knowledge independently. He lived a life characterized by simplicity and a rejection of materialism. He and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, eschewed car ownership, preferring public transportation. Even after achieving recognition as a Christian author, Tozer generously shared his royalties with those in need. However, his biographer notes that the demanding nature of his ministry, including frequent travel for speaking engagements, often led to him being away from home and deeply engrossed in his study when present, which impacted his family life.