# VI: The Speaking Voice explained — The Pursuit of God

> Chapter companion for The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer.

## What happens

This chapter explores the nature of God as continuously speaking, emphasizing that God's Voice is not confined to the written Bible but is an active, living force in the universe. It argues that true faith requires listening to God's present Voice, which illuminates Scripture and brings life and communion with Christ. The chapter critiques modern religion's preference for noise and activity over silence and attentive listening.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Divine Presence

God's speaking Voice fills the world, making His presence immanent and active in creation.

### Sacred-Secular Integration

All good and beautiful things in human culture are seen as responses to God's creative Voice, bridging sacred and secular.

### Critique of Shallow Religion

The chapter condemns the modern religious emphasis on noise, size, and activity, calling for stillness and listening.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Referred to as the Word, the second Person of the Trinity, through whom God speaks and reconciles all things.

### John

Quoted for his Gospel opening, establishing that the Word was with God and was God.

### The Godhead

Described as inherently self-expressive, with the Son called the Word, indicating God's nature to speak.

### The Holy Spirit

Mentioned as the one who illuminates the Scriptures, making God's voice intelligible and personal.

### Samuel

Referenced in the closing prayer as an example of a listening heart: 'Speak, for thy servant heareth.'

## Key lines

> God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking.

God's communication is not a past event but an ongoing, present reality.

_Emphasizes the continuous nature of God's self-expression._

> The Bible is the inevitable outcome of God’s continuous speech.

Scripture is the natural result of God's unceasing communication, not a record of a silent God.

_Reframes the Bible as a living extension of God's voice._

> Religion has accepted the monstrous heresy that noise, size, activity and bluster make a man dear to God.

Modern religion wrongly equates outward commotion with spiritual worth.

_A sharp critique of superficial religiosity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/chapters/vi-the-speaking-voice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/chapters