The Dallas Willard Podcast 102. A New Testament Theology of the Church – The Foundation for the Spiritual Formation Community (2005)
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Oct 26, 2026 
Dallas Willard, philosopher, author, and pioneering teacher of Christian spiritual formation, explores a New Testament vision of the church. He discusses discipleship as apprenticeship to Jesus, the local congregation as a community of transformation, and the Trinity as its true resource. He also addresses unity across denominations, active participation beyond consumer Christianity, ministerial mentoring, and forming Christlike communities in ordinary cities.
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The Trinity Is The Church’s Primary Agent
- Church community begins by bringing apprentices into the Trinity’s active presence, not relying on human cleverness or credentials.
- Baptism means entering and learning to live within the Father, Son, and Spirit’s presence.
Build The Character That Makes Obedience Natural
- Pursue inward transformation before demanding outward obedience; grace supplies power for effort without turning effort into earning.
- Blessing becomes spontaneous when the inner person has been reshaped, even before a curse finishes landing.
Make Local Congregations Schools Of Christlikeness
- Make the local congregation responsible for forming Christlike character through shared learning, prayer, encouragement, and practical obedience.
- Dallas defines spiritual formation as the inward person progressively taking on Jesus’ character.
