The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
Week 9: Chapter 9 — The Immutability of God
Read Chapter 9: The Immutability of God of The Knowledge of the Holy. Key passage: Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8.
Previewing Week 9 of The Knowledge of the Holy
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 24-week guide when you’re ready.
"I the Lord do not change" — Malachi's declaration is either the most stabilizing sentence in the universe or deeply threatening, depending on what you believe about who God is. Tozer helps us see why it is cause for worship.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Tozer explains that God's immutability means He cannot change — not because He is rigid or inflexible, but because He is already perfect. What is the difference between the unchangeability of perfection and the unchangeability of stubbornness or limitation?
2.He distinguishes God's unchanging nature from the biblical language of God "relenting" or changing His mind (as in Genesis 6 or Jonah). How does Tozer reconcile these apparent tensions? Do you find his explanation satisfying?
3.We live in a world that celebrates adaptability and prizes change as progress. How does the immutability of God run counter to the spirit of the age — and why does Tozer think that is actually good news rather than bad?