The first Willard I read was “The Spirit of The Disciplines”. It felt like a welcoming invitation into the world of spiritual disciplines while being challenging enough to require repeated visits.
Through Willard, I learned about the limitations of my will and the importance of practice over effort. Discovering that I cannot simply will my way into purity set me free from living under a mountain of shame. Learning that “practicing” my faith would actually produce in me (by development and the power of the Spirit) that which I had been trying to force into myself by will-power.
I am especially thankful for “Renovation of The Heart”.
In it, Willard offered four key characteristics found in those who have developed into well formed “Children of Light”. These remain aspirational goals even as they increasingly become realized in me.
They are:
1. “Whenever they are found to be in the wrong, they will never defend it”
2. “They do not feel that they are missing out on something good by not sinning”
3. “They are mainly governed by the pull of the good”
4. “Life in the path or rightness becomes easy and joyous”
Thanks so much for these notes and references. (I have Robb on my "read soon" shelf.) The top 3 of Willard's concepts for me -- Willard's value of and emphasis on objective truth (Divine Conspiracy), the clarification that "knowledge" in biblical language is always experiential involvement (from Rennovation), and his illustration of discipleship as living my life as Jesus would live my life today if he were me have all been life-changing for me.
The Divine Conspiracy, then second Renovation of the Heart are my go to’s. They have both influenced me in astonishing ways to become more committed to a life rich in scripture and prayer.
The Divine Conspiracy has been a spiritual formation “Systematic Theology” in my personal faith journey.
Both are game-changers, right? Can I ask: of Willard's ideas, what have been (or is) one of the most important concepts you have gotten from him? Always eager to hear how people hear Willard.
As a human and simply as a person: The idea of living Heaven on Earth, not simply a future destination or “place we go” but rather as a reality to be strive for during our time in the world. Has probably been the most influential aspect for me, the embracing of the “already and/but not yet.”
In ministry, the discipleship shift. The reality of believers as apprentices to Jesus and not simply followers of theological ideologies. Very real intentionality to being multiplying disciples, disciples who make disciples; and not simply “followers” (in the most basic, premise only, meaning.)
The first Willard I read was “The Spirit of The Disciplines”. It felt like a welcoming invitation into the world of spiritual disciplines while being challenging enough to require repeated visits.
Through Willard, I learned about the limitations of my will and the importance of practice over effort. Discovering that I cannot simply will my way into purity set me free from living under a mountain of shame. Learning that “practicing” my faith would actually produce in me (by development and the power of the Spirit) that which I had been trying to force into myself by will-power.
I am especially thankful for “Renovation of The Heart”.
In it, Willard offered four key characteristics found in those who have developed into well formed “Children of Light”. These remain aspirational goals even as they increasingly become realized in me.
They are:
1. “Whenever they are found to be in the wrong, they will never defend it”
2. “They do not feel that they are missing out on something good by not sinning”
3. “They are mainly governed by the pull of the good”
4. “Life in the path or rightness becomes easy and joyous”
I thank God for Dallas Willard.
I also thank God for you A.J.
OH man! So good. Thank you, Tim. And I thank God for you!
Thanks so much for these notes and references. (I have Robb on my "read soon" shelf.) The top 3 of Willard's concepts for me -- Willard's value of and emphasis on objective truth (Divine Conspiracy), the clarification that "knowledge" in biblical language is always experiential involvement (from Rennovation), and his illustration of discipleship as living my life as Jesus would live my life today if he were me have all been life-changing for me.
Those are great additions! Love it. Thank you, Laura.
The Divine Conspiracy, then second Renovation of the Heart are my go to’s. They have both influenced me in astonishing ways to become more committed to a life rich in scripture and prayer.
The Divine Conspiracy has been a spiritual formation “Systematic Theology” in my personal faith journey.
Both are game-changers, right? Can I ask: of Willard's ideas, what have been (or is) one of the most important concepts you have gotten from him? Always eager to hear how people hear Willard.
As a human and simply as a person: The idea of living Heaven on Earth, not simply a future destination or “place we go” but rather as a reality to be strive for during our time in the world. Has probably been the most influential aspect for me, the embracing of the “already and/but not yet.”
In ministry, the discipleship shift. The reality of believers as apprentices to Jesus and not simply followers of theological ideologies. Very real intentionality to being multiplying disciples, disciples who make disciples; and not simply “followers” (in the most basic, premise only, meaning.)