Product Description

You can shed sinful habits and increasingly take on the character of Christ through ""the transformation of the spirit,"" a personal apprenticeship with Jesus Christ.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6318 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 269 pages

Amazon.com
Although Dallas Willard's Renovation of the Heart is an accessible handbook for learning about spiritual formation, it's not lightweight by any stretch of the imagination. It compels the reader to take in the concepts slowly, underline important passages, scribble notes in the margins, and slowly absorb and put into practice the ideas Willard espouses. "Although there is much talk about 'changing lives' in Christian circles, the reality is very rare, and certainly much less common than the talk," writes Willard. But, he adds, no one need live in spiritual and personal defeat. Rather, the way of change is through inner transformation and taking the small steps that lead one to it. Beginning with an introduction to spiritual formation, he then outlines the avenues through which transformation takes place, including thoughts, feelings, choices, social context, the body, and the soul. Each chapter concludes with questions for personal or group reflection. Read it once, then keep it close for further reference--it's a book that will continually refresh a spiritual journey. --Cindy Crosby

From Publishers Weekly
Willard (The Divine Conspiracy), a professor of philosophy at the University of Southern California who is also a Southern Baptist minister, here tackles the central Christian question of how to be more like Christ. He claims that the church's failures throughout history are a result of Christians' reading biblical passages that adjure them to Christ-like perfection and then trying to reach that perfection by behaving more perfectly. Instead, he argues that believers should allow God to transform them internally so that their actions, though never quite perfect, will at least be more aligned with God. Willard delineates six areas of such transformation thought, feeling, will, body, social context and soul and delineates a general process toward transforming each. The book's chapters are divided into very short subsections, which, especially in the first four chapters, are inchoate as Willard struggles to explain exactly what the "heart" is and why it is important. Though trained as a philosopher, he does not explicate philosophical discussions over, for example, human nature, settling instead for saying that "we cannot deal with [them] here." Such a position contributes to the book's early incoherence and to a consistent lack of support, and, therefore, power. However, many evangelicals will appreciate his fresh and less guilt-ridden approach to Christian spiritual growth. The book is heavily Bible-based, provides discussion questions and includes a chapter on spiritually transforming congregations as well as individuals.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
"[Most] evangelicals will appreciate [this] fresh and less guilt-ridden approach to Christian spiritual growth." --Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews

A man who walks the talk
Renovation of the Heart has become one of my most favorite books. I have begun to read it for a third time and each time I am getting more out of it. It is quite understandable, however it must be digested slowly since Willard makes every sentence count. I recommend the video curriculum based on Renovation of the Heart produced by LifeSprings. Willard provides short introductions to each of the thirteen chapters followed by an unrehearsed discussion of the content by John Ortberg, Larry Crabb and Dallas. The leader's manual that accompanies the video series is one of the best educational tools for the church available today.

What I appreciate most about Dallas Willard is that he writes about spiritual formation from personal life experience. He is a modern day example of someone who has fully embraced Christ's yoke and has truly learned from the Master. Willard has spent a lifetime in a profound apprenticeship with Christ. Not only has he learned much, he has also been transformed from what he has learned. Furthermore, he makes a convincing case to his readers that they too can be transformed into in Christ-likeness...in this world. Then he goes on to demonstrate how that transformation can take place, beginning with our hearts and progressively extending to our minds, feelings, bodies, social relationships and souls.

Soul Changing
I have read many books that have helped me in my walk with God but, outside of the Bible, only this one has made me who I am. Dallas Willard presents, not only a vision for escaping our worldly selves, but also a clear path to achieve Christ-likeness. If the promises of peace and joy you read about in the Bible have eluded you, and if you have dreamed of living a well-ordered life in which the good you want to do you actually do consistently - this is the book for you. It is challenging, insightful, and biblical. But most of all it is practical. Read and apply the teachings in this book and you WILL see your life change for the better through the grace and for the glory of God.

Great book! Very deep!
I have not yet finished the book, but of what I have read so far, I am very impressed. Willard does a great job of identifying characteristics that describe both a person away from Christ, as well as a devoted follower of Christ. By identifying these characteristics, he is then able to prescribe the appropriate action and direction that is needed for the former to become the latter. It is typical in our society to feel content wherever we are at spiritually, despite the fact that immature behavior and attitudes are present. We need to be challenged by Scripture and its proper interpretation into becoming more like Christ, not because it improves or benefits us, but because we represent Jesus and His glory in this world. I believe this book takes a great step in that direction.