Who Wrote the Original Introduction to The Pursuit of God, and Why Does It Matter?

The original introduction to The Pursuit of God was written by Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, a prominent missionary, writer, and scholar best known for his long engagement with Christian mission to the Muslim world. His introduction matters because it is part of the 1948 edition and gives readers an early outside assessment of Tozer’s book before decades of later reputation accumulated around it.

Who was Samuel M. Zwemer?

Zwemer was not simply an anonymous publisher’s employee. He was a major missionary thinker and prolific Christian writer. The International Mission Board describes him as a foundational figure in Christian mission to Muslims and notes his extensive writing and theological work.

That background gives weight to his role as introducer. He brought decades of ministry, scholarship, and missionary experience to his reading of Tozer.

What does the original introduction say about the book?

Zwemer presents The Pursuit of God as a serious work of inner Christian life rather than a collection of sermon notes.

Several observations in the introduction are especially useful:

He describes Tozer as a busy Chicago pastor.
He emphasizes Tozer’s wide reading.
He says the book grew out of meditation and prayer.
He highlights Tozer’s familiarity with historic Christian devotional writers.
He commends the book to pastors, missionaries, and devout Christians.
He stresses the book’s sincerity, humility, and concern with knowing God.

This tells us how at least one respected contemporary reader understood the manuscript: not primarily as a theological textbook, but as a devotional call to deeper knowledge of God.

Why does Zwemer’s introduction matter historically?

It gives us evidence from the book’s own first edition rather than a later marketing description.

Modern readers often encounter Tozer after being told that he is a "classic" author. Zwemer’s introduction lets us step back before that reputation was fully established.

His comments show that the qualities now associated with the book were visible early:

spiritual hunger, devotional seriousness, wide Christian reading, pastoral urgency, and a focus on the inner life.

That does not mean Zwemer’s endorsement proves every claim in the book. It means his introduction is valuable evidence for the book’s original context and early reception.

Does the introduction belong to Tozer’s original text?

It belongs to the original 1948 publication, but Zwemer wrote it, not Tozer.

That distinction matters when quoting an edition. A sentence in the introduction should not be attributed to A. W. Tozer merely because it appears before Tozer’s chapters.

The same principle applies to modern editions. Forewords, annotations, study questions, and editor notes should be clearly attributed to their actual authors.

For help separating original and added material, see How Can Readers Recognize Tozer’s Original Text in Modern Editions? and How Can You Tell Whether an Annotated Edition Preserves Tozer’s Original Meaning?.

What does the introduction add to our reading?

Zwemer’s introduction helps prevent two opposite mistakes.

The first is to treat Tozer as an isolated spiritual genius with no connection to the larger Christian tradition. Zwemer explicitly places him among readers of earlier saints and devotional writers.

The second is to treat the book as merely another product of religious publishing. Zwemer saw it as a work emerging from prayer, reflection, pastoral ministry, and spiritual longing.

His introduction therefore prepares the reader for the book’s tone.

Why Zwemer’s introduction still matters

Samuel M. Zwemer wrote the original introduction, and his endorsement matters because it is a first-edition witness to how The Pursuit of God was understood at the time of publication.

He saw in Tozer a well-read pastor calling Christians toward a living knowledge of God.