Ship of Fools: Dallas Willard

Thread: Dallas Willard Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by South Coast Kevin (# 16130) on :

I've just seen that Christian author Dallas Willard died last week. His books, especially The Divine Conspiracy, have had a powerful impact on my life and faith so I wanted to acknowledge his sad passing. And it'd be great to see what y'all think of his books and teaching. Anyone else a fan?

Posted by Laurelin (# 17211) on :

I only got half way through 'The Divine Conspiracy'. [Hot and Hormonal]

What I read was very good, though. [Smile]

I am more familiar with Richard Foster's books than with Willard's.

He seems to have introduced evangelicals to the riches of the ancient spiritual disciplines and Lectio Divina, if I have understood aright. [Smile]

Clearly many people have been blessed by his ministry.

And now he is with the saints. [Cool]

Posted by daronmedway (# 3012) on :

He taught a few sessions at Wycliffe Hall and spoke at a conference at St Aldate's in Oxford which I attended.

I found his books a bit weird, to be perfectly honest.

Posted by South Coast Kevin (# 16130) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Laurelin:
He seems to have introduced evangelicals to the riches of the ancient spiritual disciplines and Lectio Divina, if I have understood aright. Clearly many people have been blessed by his ministry.

Sorry I missed your reply first time round, Laurelin. Yes, I think Willard did a great thing in making evangelicals aware of many spiritual activities which perhaps people from other strands of the church were already familiar with. Lectio Divina, fasting, confession etc.

May I urge you to give The Divine Conspiracy another go? I think it's one of those books that you have to be in the right frame of mind for, as it is really meaty, chewy stuff. And not very encouraging, at one level - given that one key message of the book is that we have to work at our spiritual formation (God doesn't just transform our character on his own).

quote:
Originally posted by daronmedway:
I found his books a bit weird, to be perfectly honest.

Oh, what do you mean? I've not heard his books described as 'weird' before...

Posted by Squibs (# 14408) on :

quote:
Originally posted by daronmedway:

I found his books a bit weird, to be perfectly honest.

How so?

Anyway, I'm not over familiar with Dallas Willard but I recently listened to this lecture and I was impressed. He was particularly gracious and also incisive when in conversation with an audience member (49 mims in approx) who held some very curious views.

J.P. Moreland wrote a very warm eulogy to his friend here and on the most recent Stand to Reason show (iTunes) both Greg Koukl, the host, and Moreland spoke about him for the last hour of the show.

Given the apparent quality of his character, I think I'll have to check out more of Dallas Willard.

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