In this engaging conversation, Michael Stewart Robb, founding director of Sanctus and expert on Dallas Willard, dives into the profound impact of Willard's teachings on both academia and spirituality. They explore the challenge of making Willard's complex theology accessible, while also reflecting on the intersection of solitude and personal growth. The discussion illuminates the habits vital for Christian living, the ongoing curiosity surrounding Willard's work, and the gaps in spiritual formation, particularly in Europe.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Dallas's Unshakable Serenity
Dallas Willard maintained serenity and peace despite difficult environments like airports and church basements.
His strong identity in Christ gave him unshakable calm across different settings and challenges.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Dallas's Evening Spiritual Rhythm
Dallas could unwind by watching television but would later retreat to Scripture and prayer for deep solitude.
His commitment to Scripture at night shows how he balanced relaxation with spiritual discipline.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Dallas's Dual Vocation Story
Dallas's dual roles were as philosophy professor by day and theologian/evangelist by night.
His 'side job' as a theologian reflected his deeper passion beyond his formal academic career.
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In *Renovation of the Heart*, Dallas Willard argues that spiritual transformation occurs when all essential dimensions of the human being—spirit, mind, body, social context, and soul—are transformed to Christlikeness under the direction of a regenerate will and the constant overtures of God's grace. The book emphasizes that this transformation is not achieved through mere human effort but through apprenticeship to Jesus Christ. Willard discusses the importance of understanding human nature, its components, and how they are renewed, and he provides a systematic process for personal transformation rooted in biblical and theological principles[1][3][5].
Knowing Christ
Knowing Christ
R.C. Sproul
Hearing God
Developing a Conversational Relationship with God
Dallas Willard
In 'Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God', Dallas Willard provides rich spiritual insight into how to hear God's voice clearly and develop an intimate partnership with Him. The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on building a personal relationship with God rather than just seeking individual actions and decisions. Willard discusses various ways God communicates with His children, debunks common myths, and offers practical exercises to help readers experience God's presence. The book includes new material, lectio divina exercises, and a foreword by James Bryan Smith, making it a comprehensive resource for learning to listen to God's voice in everyday life.
The Spirit of the Disciplines
Understanding How God Changes Lives
Dallas Willard
In 'The Spirit of the Disciplines', Dallas Willard argues that spiritual disciplines are essential for transforming Christians into the character of Christ. He contends that these disciplines, such as solitude, silence, fasting, and prayer, are concrete activities that make us more receptive to God's Kingdom. The book explores the theological foundation of these disciplines, their historical context, and their practical application in everyday life. Willard emphasizes that salvation is a process of transformation worked out through our physical bodies and that these disciplines are crucial for living a life that reflects Christ's teachings[1][2][4].
The Kingdom Among Us
The Kingdom Among Us
Michael Stewart Robb
The Divine Conspiracy
Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God
Dallas Willard
In 'The Divine Conspiracy', Dallas Willard delves into the true meaning of Christian discipleship by examining Jesus' teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. The book challenges contemporary Christian practices and encourages a deeper, more authentic faith. Willard argues for the relevance of God in every aspect of life, presenting a vision of discipleship that involves daily interaction with God and a transformation of one's life to become more like Jesus. The book is divided into sections that cover the kingdom of the heavens, the discourse on the hill, discipleship, and eschatology, providing a thorough and practical guide to living a Christ-centered life[1][2][5].
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Despite perennial attraction to his teachings, Dallas Willard’s theology has not been easy for his readers and colleagues to figure out or piece together. His approach to theology was an odd one. His five bestselling books on the Christian life were a “side job” to his quiet career as a professional philosopher.
To what, if not to his profession, can one attribute the lasting attraction of his books? On one hand, it is Willard’s rhetorical skill and his cross-disciplinary knowledge–philosophical, psychological, biblical–regarding the central issues of human life. But more importantly, his books all proclaim a gospel which in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries can be especially hard to hear. Willard spoke of this gospel in biblical terms, “the gospel of the kingdom,” a gospel of spiritual living.
The Kingdom Among Us presents a comprehensive account of that gospel.But it is much more than mere interpretation. By examining both Willard’s writings and hundreds of hours of audio recordings, Michael Stewart Robb both recovers and expands Willard’s theological vision.
The book will help long time readers of Willard’s books make sense of his position in professional theology and philosophy. Robb’s reconstruction of a gospel of spiritual living will help scholars, theologians, and philosophers make sense of Willard’s “side job.” But all readers will encounter in these pages the most complete picture available of one of the giants of modern Christian spirituality.
Things Above 
