Hello everybody,

I don't post on this board that often, usually being satisfied with my lurking status. But I believe I have something that is worth coming out of lurkdom for.

Below is a part of an article I wrote, address is below. I would very much like to discuss this topic here on the Highway.

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A.W. Tozer is a revered authority for many, and to attack him almost seems to be an attack on sanctification and holiness itself. But, with him as well as ourselves, we need to always apply the tests of Scripture on the teachers of Scripture. None of us are immune from this necessary cross-examination. That is what these articles are about.

Mystic Sidetracks
Tozer's indebtedness to the Catholic mystics of the Middle Ages becomes apparent to anyone who studies Tozer. He often does not bother to divulge precisely where his quotes are from, though whether by design or intentional neglect is hard to ascertain. Teresa of Avila, Nicholas of Cusa, Meister Eckhardt, the anonymous "The Cloud of Unknowing", and several more, are called as testimonies for his pressing for the need for a closer walk with God.

But who would argue the need for this closer walk? Not us. What we disagree with is the calling in of these dubious authorities when the Scriptures are a much better means - in fact the only sure source - that we need to have Christ formed in us. "To the Word and to the testimony!", Isiaiah warns us (Isa. 8:20) "If they speak not according to this word there is no light in them." To this we can add Acts 17:11. Later in this article we will take a closer look at Tozer's favorite authorities, and see if they are to be trusted. Many do not know much about these mystics and monks that Tozer references. If they did, their respect for them - and for anyone who quotes them approvingly - would lessen considerably.

The whole article of mine can be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/asterisktom/tozer.html

I look forward to some good discussion on this topic. I believe that A.W. Tozer tends to get a free pass from a proper examination because he does say very many good things that need to be said. But I believe that the whole tendency of his teaching is not a good one.

Please understand that is not meant as a slam on the man, but on his teaching which has very greatly influenced the Christian church, especially in these four decades after his death.

Tom Riggle