Rating: 
Summary: Deep Truths in an Easy to Read Format
Review: I like Dallas Willard. He couples philosophy with theology and offers a Christian voice of amazing depth to our sometimes shallow world. However, like other deep thinkers he can often be hard to read. . . . BUT, . . . this book is not like that. In this book Willard hits a literary home run by coupling depth with clarity. So far, this is my favorite of all of his books.
Rating:
Summary: quite good
Review: Why does it take the most brilliant theologians to point out the simplest truths? Willard's main point is that if we really believe Jesus is God, why don't we believe he's smart enough to teach us a thing or two? He encourages us to enlist in an advanced course on Life and the Living Of It taught by the Son of God himself. How simple is that? The middle of the book is an excellent exposition of the Sermon on the Mount (here called the Discourse on the Hill) with that goal in mind. Some of it I don't buy, but most of it is truly profound, well thought-out and presented. The end of this book is a treatise on discipleship. It divides the gospel -- and in such, the ends of discipleship, into two parts: 1. Believe that God is good, loving, and not messing up your life, and 2. Give up your old habits and learn some new ones. Basically, though he never says so, an exposition of "Repent and believe, for the Kingdom of God is near." Who should read this book?
1. Those tired of religious fluff and warmed over sermons put in writing and published. (Willard is so much meatier. The bibliography alone is a treasure chest.) 2. Those who are studying, have studied, or want to study the Sermon on the Mount. I was leading a summer study on that passage as I was reading this, and it was immensely helpful. 3. Those who are thinking about discipling others in one form or another, but aren't sure how to go about it. The last third, while not terribly practical, lays down excellent guidelines for discipleship that will give you direction and purpose. One more note: Willard seems to translate the Bible himself for use in his scriptural examples. The results are fantastic, strong and direct quotes. I know nothing about greek or translation, so I can't comment on their reliability, but they certainly make me wish Mr. Willard would take on a full translation. It would be fantastic.
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