The Knowledge of the Holy Summary & Key Insights

A.W. Tozer's "The Knowledge of the Holy" isn't a narrative with a plot and characters in the traditional sense. Instead, it's a theological treatise exploring the nature of God and the implications of a proper understanding of His holiness for Christian experience and life. Therefore, "God" is the central, albeit non-anthropomorphic, "character," while Tozer acts as the guide, interpreting scripture and theological history.

The book's central theme is the vital necessity of knowing God's holiness. Tozer argues that a shallow, sentimental, or overly familiar view of God is inadequate and detrimental to spiritual growth. He contends that a proper understanding of God's holiness, which encompasses His absolute otherness, transcendence, righteousness, justice, love, and power, is fundamental to a genuine Christian life.

The book unfolds through a series of chapters exploring various facets of God's holiness. Tozer unpacks biblical descriptions of God, drawing from Old Testament portrayals of His majesty and power alongside New Testament revelations of His love and grace. He challenges the reader to move beyond simplistic notions of God and delve into the depths of His being, arguing that a true knowledge of God's holiness is transformative.

Tozer emphasizes the inherent danger of anthropomorphism—attributing human characteristics to God—and warns against reducing God to a comfortable image easily comprehended by human minds. He argues for a God who is both wholly knowable and incomprehensibly transcendent. This paradox, he suggests, is essential to a healthy spiritual understanding.

A key argument is the inherent connection between knowing God and loving God. Tozer posits that true love for God stems from a deep understanding and reverence for His holiness. He challenges the reader to actively pursue this knowledge, not passively accepting familiar clichés. This pursuit, he suggests, requires humility, introspection, and a willingness to wrestle with challenging theological concepts.

Ultimately, "The Knowledge of the Holy" is a call to deeper spiritual intimacy with God. It's not a manual for achieving this intimacy but a profound meditation on the nature of God that aims to ignite a hunger for a more authentic and transformative relationship with the Divine. Tozer's intention is to inspire readers to embark on a lifelong journey of discovering the awe-inspiring and humbling reality of God's holiness.