Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ | Dallas Willard

Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ | Dallas Willard | The Divine Conspiracy

books:

Renovation of the ...

	Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ Dallas Willard NavPress Publishing Group, 2002 - 269 pages average customer review:based on 48 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Ordering Your Self to Become like Christ

I received this book as a graduation gift 5 years ago, but didn't read it until 3-4 years later. It took me 8 months to read it, but I savored it. Willard gently guides the reader into a Biblical knowledge of the human person, helping to order the thoughts, emotions, and will appropriately. This book is rich with Scriptural support, and the words in every sentence were clearly chosen with care and consideration. I consider this to be a book from which I can continue to draw guidance, as it is rooted in the Book upon which I base my life.

The Divine Conspiracy

The book speaks for itself. The idea of the Kingdom of God seems to be lost when reading the Gospel, and this book really brings the idea of the Kingdom of God to life. Highly recommended. Its a great book.

for more information click here

Renovation of the Heart: The Heart of the Matter

Dallas Willard is quickly becoming our generations much needed C. S. Lewis. This book is immensly needed within evangelical circles. Willard points us back to the real mission of the church which is to make disciples- not just to reach for decisions. He is fair to all sides of the church in embracing their strengths and in pointing out why their weaknesses need to be recognized and addressed. He is very ecumenical, avoiding conflict, except where such matters 'hurt' the life of a church or individual. There may be certain points that you may disagree with, depending on your theological background, but there is not anybody who would not benefit by considering the advice and direction this book gives.

One suggetsion, read the Divine Conspiracy first, which may become a modern classic.

One other suggestion if you are a pastor or leader of a small group: get the curriculum that includes a wonderful video of Dallas speaking on each of the chapters, as well as a discussion between himslelf and two other well known leaders in the evangelical church. [...]

for more information click here

A Holistic Approach to Growth

Dallas Willard follows up themes outlined in his groundbreaking book The Divine Conspiracy where he delineates the idea of "spiritual formation" which is nothing more than "putting on the character of Christ." Willard excels in teaching Sanctification (growth in Christ likeness) by drawing upon historic doctrine and classic theology and putting it into Twenty-First century language. Reading Renovation is informative in that it offers a holistic approach to growth from everything to our bodies and social context to our heart and spirit. This approach is well founded in that it demolishes the false antithesis between body and soul so many spiritual formation books make. Renovation is also inspiring in that it unabashedly proclaims that followers of Christ can actually change and be like him.

However, the book is at times long and tedious in its argumentation. One can finish a chapter and sometimes forget about what it began with, because of the barrage of points Willard attempts to make in a short space.

Instead of regurgitating the Puritanical norm that true godliness is hopelessly struggling with an ever dominating inward force of depravity, Willard offers a real, non-perfectionist hope that by transforming our vision, intent, and means lasting change of the "soul" ( thoughts, feelings, will, body, social context) is obtainable.

for more information click here

Too academic for my taste

I loved the Divine Conspiracy. I enjoyed The Spirit of the Disciplines. But this book I didn't really enjoy all that much. I can work with a philosophical style of writing as I sometimes slip into that mode too much myself. But this book seemed too academic and anticeptic to be of much help to me.

Don't get me wrong, I am not arguing a point of theology just a point of style. I'm sure that others will find the book quite engaging but it just struck me as too cold. Maybe it is just me but as someone who has read many books this one just doesn't do it for me as much as some of Willard's other books have.

for more information click here