Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed...
Review: Willard's treatment of the Beatitudes is quite strange, and his readibility proves to be a chore. I was disappointed, and found the book to be over-rated.
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Summary: Important topic but...
Review: I found the chapter on the beatitudes disapppointing. The author could have used other biblical passages than the beatitudes to make his point that the gospel is for all people, even "those who, from the human point of view, are regarded as the most hopeless." (page 116) The author states that his interpretation of the beatitudes is necessary to combat a legalistic misinterpretation of them, but his interpretation seems to have a dismissive effect by reducing the beatitudes to only a statement of who can start off as disciples of Jesus. I don't disagree with his point that the gospel is for all people, just his use of the beatitudes to make this point.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, provocative, disturbing and refreshing
Review: The Divine Conspiracy has to be the best book I have ever read of its kind. I so appreciate the uncluttered view of Christ and His claims, the deconstruction of so many widely-held assumptions about people, God, eternity and the precious nature of every individual. I find myself giving the book as a gift to many of my dearest friends. Try it!
Rating:
Summary: Masterful Blend of Thoughtfulness and Simplicity
Review: This fine book was my first exposure to Dallas Willard. The material was without exception thoughtful enough to challenge and provoke me, yet simple enough to understand and try to implement. His discussions of the kingdom of the heavens and a curriculum for Christlikeness were refreshing and enlightening. The book was biblically based from start to finish. Though I had already considered myself a serious Bible student, I found that Willard's book gave me an even clearer conception of the what, how, and why of the Christian life.
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Summary: A must read! It will change your life.
Review: I can think of no other book that has chnaged my life like Dallas Willard's. After he takes you through the Sermon on the Mount, you come away with a better understanding of the true brillance of Jesus and His ability to change you into His likeness. But he doesn't stop there, he gently leads you into a discipleship relationship with Jesus, and then shows you how to receive His teachings so that you are a 'doer of the Word' not just a hearer. It is a slow starter for some, but don't stop, it just gets better and better! And one last thing - for best results read it with your heart along with your head.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Read
Review: After having read christian literature for 15 years, this is the best. It is a book which molds our lives, changes our thinking for the better, reveals an open door to life, and gives us God.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Read
Review: After having read christian literature for 15 years, this is the best. It is a book which molds our lives, changes our thinking for the better, gives us God, and creates an open door to Life.
Rating: 
Summary: good, but...
Review: willard provides a very insightful commentary- a great help for anyone at any level of the faith. however, this book is not the bible. in turn, any reader should take it with a shaker of salt. much of it appears right on, but some sections, particularly his interpretation of seromon on the mount, strike me as misguided.
Rating:
Summary: A singularly important book for the thinking Christian
Review: It is seldom that a book has triggered such energetic discussion among both college students and faculty. In our senior-level course on Christianity and culture, a required course taken by all of our students, Willard is not just read, but digested and discussed all over campus. Morever, faculty from every discipline read this book and talked about it with energy and enthusiasm.Yes, folks can certainly find things to disagree with, particularly if they come to the book hoping for a narrowly defined perspective on a particular biblical text or theological issue. Because Willard has not presented a systematic theology or a comprehensive commentary, knowledgable readers may find themselves saying "Maybe, but..." and even "You can't do that." But then, we do that with systematic theologies and comprehensive commentaries. And other readers will certainly be disappointed if, as one reviewer, they expect to find devotional readings in the style of Lucado. Instead everyone will find solid meat that will stay with them for awhile. Sometimes the meat is difficult to chew, and sometimes it is hard to swallow, and sometimes it does not suit our palate. But for those of us who have been living on spiritual milk, that is to be expected.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Insight!
Review: I thank God for this book. It unlocked some truths of the Scriptures for me and has given me a clearer understanding of Christ's Kingdom...a very practical understanding. Excellent insight on Christ's words given on the Mount of Olives. Heady subject written in a down-to-earth manner. Worth the time to read it, the money to but it, and the intellectual stretch to digest it. Read this book! You'll be better for it.
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