

The Dallas Willard Podcast
Dallas Willard
Join us each week as we go back to the archives and share all of Dallas Willard's original, long-form teaching. Hosted by his daughter, Rebecca Willard Heatley.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 19, 2026 • 58min
66. “Adding to Your Faith” by Sowing to the Spirit and Exercising unto Godliness (1981)
Dallas Willard, a respected Christian philosopher, shares profound insights on discipleship and spiritual disciplines. He defines a disciple as someone striving to mirror Christ's character and emphasizes the importance of active spiritual growth. Willard discusses the necessity of disciplined practices like fasting and exercising towards godliness. He challenges listeners to evaluate their commitment to discipleship while detailing how true transformation requires resolve and intentionality. Ultimately, he paints a picture of the triumphant life rooted in holiness and spiritual power.

22 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 1min
65. Planning for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church (2012)
In this enlightening discussion, Dallas Willard, a renowned Christian philosopher and spiritual formation expert, shares his insights on fostering spiritual growth within local churches. He emphasizes that spiritual formation should evolve from individual interests to a church-wide mission. Willard presents the Great Commission as a foundation for discipleship, encouraging churches to train individuals to live out Jesus' teachings authentically. He also discusses the transformation process, the cooperation of grace and effort, and practical strategies for implementing effective church training programs.

33 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 27min
64. Pornography and Spiritual Formation (2008)
Dallas Willard, a renowned philosophy professor and spiritual formation expert, discusses the complex relationship between pornography and spiritual growth. He explores how unchecked desires can lead to a corruption of the will and mind, using biblical examples to illustrate temptation. Willard introduces his VIM framework for transformation, emphasizing the need to replace harmful visions with compassion. He stresses the importance of spiritual disciplines and accountability while articulating Jesus' promise of true satisfaction as a means to combat lust.

12 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 57min
63. Incarnation and Celebration (2007)
Dallas Willard, a renowned philosopher and Christian author, delivers a captivating Christmas sermon. He discusses the incarnation as a cosmic event, emphasizing God's reconciliation through Christ. Willard challenges the confusion surrounding divinity and humanity while asserting that salvation is about participating in Jesus' ongoing work. He highlights the value of matter and Christ's dual role as creator and redeemer. Ultimately, he inspires listeners to celebrate the incarnation with exuberance, seeing every aspect of life as infused with the presence of Christ.

26 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 56min
62. How Eternal Livers Bring Knowledge of Eternal Living to Those Without It (2010)
Dallas Willard, renowned philosopher and Christian theologian, dives deep into the nature of knowledge and how it shapes discipleship. He asserts that true Christian knowledge is testable and essential for action, contrasting it with mere belief. Willard discusses the importance of firsthand experience in teaching the kingdom and challenges churches to provide genuine knowledge, not just profession. He also highlights the Great Commission as a call to witness, and emphasizes that all are invited to discipleship, guided by the Holy Spirit.

98 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 24min
61. Being a Disciple of Jesus, not Just a Christian (2010)
Dallas Willard, a renowned philosophy professor and spiritual teacher, dives deep into the essence of being a true disciple of Jesus. He distinguishes between mere Christians and actual disciples, emphasizing the importance of spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting. Willard explores how these practices can lead to genuine transformation and how discipleship applies to every facet of life, from work to parenting. He offers insights on nurturing a kingdom-focused home and warns against the pitfalls of unchecked desires in the church, urging listeners to engage with Jesus' teachings actively.

51 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 18min
60. Disciplines for Eternal (Spiritual) Living (2010)
Dallas Willard, a renowned philosopher and Christian spiritual teacher, delves into the transformative nature of spiritual disciplines. He explores how understanding grace can free us from the fear of death, enabling eternal living now. Willard emphasizes the importance of surrendering the will to confront spiritual battles and shared insights on training the mind and body for a fulfilling discipleship. He advocates for intelligent effort over mere willpower in forming godly habits and highlights the essential role of love in moral action.

68 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 34min
59. The Role of the Body in Spiritual and Unspiritual Life (2010)
Dallas Willard, a renowned Christian philosopher and teacher, delves into the fascinating relationship between the body and spiritual life. He emphasizes that our feelings are embodied and discusses how to gain victory over them for true salvation. Using Paul's athletic metaphors, he advocates for self-discipline and the intentional offering of our bodies to God. Willard also touches on the importance of cultivating healthy desires while letting negative ones fade away, all while underlining the need for a God-first approach to life.

51 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 22min
58. More Barriers to Eternal Living Now: Strongholds of Thought and Feeling (2010)
Dallas Willard, a renowned Christian philosopher and educator, discusses profound barriers to eternal living, emphasizing the impact of strongholds of thought and feeling. He warns against self-sufficiency and pride, which separate us from God's kingdom. Transforming the mind is vital for spiritual renewal. Dallas highlights the danger of dominant ideas that conflict with truth and urges listeners to prioritize love-driven actions over fickle feelings. He also elaborates on discipleship and the essence of eternal life as a shared quality with God.

49 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 14min
57. Some Barriers to Eternal Living Now: The Unsurrendered Will (2010)
Dallas Willard, a renowned Christian philosopher, dives deep into spiritual formation and the unsurrendered will. He argues that a surrendered will is crucial for experiencing eternal life now. Dallas illustrates how an unsurrendered will blocks grace, keeping individuals in control and hindering transformation. He examines the intersection of mind, body, spirit, and social relationships in shaping our character. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of surrendering desires to God for moral strength and discusses practical steps for guiding new believers toward spiritual growth.


